The Dignity Bus for homeless citizens is days away from the start of operations. Councilor Valerie Gonzalez says this collaboration between the city, state, and community partners is a significant step toward changing the system.
City Council members passed legislation on Monday exempting the Dignity Bus from city zoning ordinances, one of the last few steps before the bus can open this winter.
What shelter beds? That's what advocates for the homeless, service providers and protesters are asking as cities and towns across the state raid homeless encampments and say that the people being displaced or arrested – whose belongings are often thrown away – have been offered shelter.
Representatives from various social service organizations in the city have had decades to make a dent in the homelessness problem here, says Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, but have proven ineffective.
Pieces are falling into place to bring the first ever “Dignity Bus” to Woonsocket. The custom-fabricated bus will have enough “sleeping pods” to keep 20 people off the street each night as a short-term shelter solution, said Community Care Alliance CEO, Ben Lessing.
Jessica Jones, Certified Peer Recovery Coach, was recognized for her outstanding work in the field of substance use treatment along with three colleagues from across the state.
Since December the issue of Rhode Island children who are living outdoors or in unacceptable housing conditions, such as in cars or abandoned property, has posed a question that has no clear answer.
Andrea spoke with Ocean State Stories at CCA’s food pantry, part of the organization’s Family Support Center, 245 Main Street in Woonsocket. The center and CCA programs at other locations also provide behavioral health, education, housing, and many other services.
In 12 states, the number of individuals experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness has more than doubled between 2007 and 2022—Rhode Island (214%).
Gonzalez told The Breeze she was discussing the need for the city to have a task force dedicated to social issues even before she ran for re-election last fall.
