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Chairman: Dr. John Susa Services: Responsible for enforcing the State's anti-discriminatory laws; investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, credit, public places, private and public housing. Provides speakers for groups and organizations.

Through programs, advocacy and collaboration people are empowered to discover their potential and live as engaged citizens, free of stigma, within a thriving community.

Provides individual and group counseling for victims of sexual assault and their families. Offers 24-hour hotline, information, advocacy, support, legal assistance and crisis counseling. trained counselors/advocates available to meet victims at hospital, police station and court. Assault Prevention Program offers personal safety programs to students in preschool through college. Day One serves victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Services include the 24-hour Victims of Crime Helpline; crisis intervention, individual and group counseling for children and adults, advocacy (including legal advocacy) for victims and their families. Also, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), the RI Children's Advocacy Center, prevention education and a new Family Foster Care Treatment Program for sexually abused children in foster care and their foster families.

The Wakefield Oasis is an affiliate of the Mental Health Consumer Advocates of Rhode Island, Inc. This non-profit statewide advocacy, education, and socialization center empowers adults who have experienced psychiatric symptoms or who receive mental health services. MHCA of RI, Inc., has been in operation since 1985. The vision of MHCA of RI, Inc., is to provide peer support, to inform and educate people about the stigma of mental illness and to positively affect the lives of our fellow consumes through legislative action and other advocacy campaigns.

To defend the inalienable rights of both companion animals and wildlife through education, legal and legislative activism. Spaying: We sponsor several low-cost spaying/neutering clinics annually; Pet Adoption: Our program is an alternative to local dog pounds and shelters. Defenders works with pet owners that need to find homes for their companion animals. Legal Assistance: Defenders of Animals has assisted individuals with legal research and assistance in obtaining an attorney. Rewards: Defenders offers rewards up to $2000 for information leading to the apprehension, conviction and sentencing of the person(s) guilty of crimes of cruelty. Advocacy: Defenders of Animals will advocate on behalf of stray, abandoned animals and wildlife and pet owners when it is appropriate.

Services: The official planning and advisory body created to promote and increase opportunities and alternatives for persons, ages birth to elderly, with developmental disabilities and their families. The overall purpose of the council is to advocate on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities so that they have access to a comprehensive coordinated system that offers a variety of services. The Council does not provide direct services. Source of income: Federal funds

Programs:** Key Girls Shelter, 274-3322 939 Douglas Avenue, Providence 02908 Program Supervisor: Marsha Diop Services: 90 day shelter for adolescent females (13 - 17 years of age) providing crisis management through a behavior modification model, as well as intensive case work. ** Key Group Home, 789-3739 46 Liberty Lane, West Kingstown, RI 02892 Program Supervisors: Robert Lemoi / Anthony LaFazia Services: Group home for boys (ages 13 - 16) with family difficulties. The program provides family-based counseling to build relationships and transition clients back home. ** Key Outreach and Tracking, 861-2680 623 Eagle Square, Providence 02908 Supervisors: Tracy Vadeboncoeur / Susana Guerra Services: Non-residential program providing community advocacy for children (ages 8-18), referred by DCYF and families. Provides limit setting, accountability, family work, advocacy and recreational planning. ** Key Providence Independent Living, 861-5305 139 Knight Street, Providence 02909 Supervisor: Melanie Payette Services: Residential program for females (ages 16 -18), referred by DCYF, focusing on life skills development, responsibility and personal development.

Residential facility for adult males, 18+, recovering from substance abuse addiction. Intensive day program as well as intensive non-residential evening program for adult/adolescent males/females. Outpatient substance abuse counseling and group therapy. Also provides counseling for domestic violence, gambling, and anger management services for men, women and children over six. Income Source: Resident fees, State, Federal, Most Health Insurance Plans, donations

One of the key services OSCIL provides is advocacy both for individuals and within the community as a whole. Advocacy is central to a Center for Independent Living’s mission. CILs offers both individual and systems advocacy. Individual advocacy is assisting an individual with a disability to protect his or her rights or to fight for needed resources. Through systems advocacy, we advance civil rights and equal access for all persons with disabilities on the local, state and federal levels. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY Our Independent Living Coordinators keep up-to-date on programs and legislation which may affect people with disabilities. Consumers are encouraged to contact their community leaders and legislators to inform them of their views on various programs and legislative issues. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY We work with people with disabilities to teach valuable self-advocacy skills, including: Learning the rights that they have already and making effective use of those rights. Learning how to effectively communicate their needs to both maintain the rights they already have and to make advancement in expanding the rights of persons with disabilities. OSCIL staff will also work with consumers to advocate for services to meet individual needs, including helping to understand the function and processes (necessary criteria, application process, deadlines, etc.) for Social Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicare/Medicaid, and other service agencies.

Connects families of children and adults with special needs with other families who have similar needs and experiences giving them the opportunity to share information and support. Provides emotional support when a parent first learns his child has special needs. A Program of RI Parent Information Network.

Operates 24-hour hotline, provides emergency shelter to battered women; advocacy; crisis intervention counseling; support groups; educational programs; children's program; school based programs; information/referral services. Speakers Bureau. Handicapped accessible. Warren Office: 624 Main Street, 247-2070, Jamestown, 423-9649; Little Compton, 635-2548 Bristol County Director: Karen Majewski Support groups meet in Newport, Monday, 6pm - 7:30pm and Warren, Th, 6pm -7:30pm. Call for information. Income Source: State, local, grants, membership drive; fund raisers.

Services: Certification and support of business interests owned and controlled by the disadvantaged, minorities and/or women in compliance with Rhode Island General Law 37-14-1. Participating in the Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise Program. Focuses on MBE/WBE firms that sell their goods and services to the State of Rhode Island.

Services: Promotes citizen involvement in government and provides information on election procedures and voter registration. Organizes debates and candidate forums; conducts studies on issues and then lobbies on positions. Income Source: Dues; local contributions.

One of the key services OSCIL provides is advocacy both for individuals and within the community as a whole. Advocacy is central to a Center for Independent Living’s mission. CILs offers both individual and systems advocacy. Individual advocacy is assisting an individual with a disability to protect his or her rights or to fight for needed resources. Through systems advocacy, we advance civil rights and equal access for all persons with disabilities on the local, state and federal levels. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY Our Independent Living Coordinators keep up-to-date on programs and legislation which may affect people with disabilities. Consumers are encouraged to contact their community leaders and legislators to inform them of their views on various programs and legislative issues. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY We work with people with disabilities to teach valuable self-advocacy skills, including: Learning the rights that they have already and making effective use of those rights. Learning how to effectively communicate their needs to both maintain the rights they already have and to make advancement in expanding the rights of persons with disabilities. OSCIL staff will also work with consumers to advocate for services to meet individual needs, including helping to understand the function and processes (necessary criteria, application process, deadlines, etc.) for Social Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicare/Medicaid, and other service agencies.

Rhode Island's Statewide Self-Advocacy organization. Works to help people understand information more clearly, learn about rights, participate in their communities and share their unique gifts with the rest of society. Also works to raise public awareness about disabilities. Activities include:

• Hosting an annual statewide Self-Advocacy

conference. Approximately 430 people attend.

• Hosting an annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Town Hall style meeting. Approximately 300 people attend.
• Designing/Adapting accessible materials in a variety of formats to help people understand issues related to Self-Advocacy.
• Coordinating a year-long Leadership Series training for individuals who have a Developmental Disability, families and direct support staff.
• Bringing disability awareness experiences to schools, colleges, businesses, support agencies and others.

Assists low-income residents through individual advocacy, research and community organization approaches to meeting basic human needs. Provides emergency fuel and energy assistance during winter months (November - April). Rental and prescription assistance when funds are available. **Qualifications:** Rent: Must have a five-day eviction notice or be attempting to move out of a shelter. Utility: (gas & electric) Must have a termination notice or be attempting to restore services. Heating: Must have made use of /be ineligible for all state, federal, and other private heating assistance funds. Funds are made available through the Bishop�s "Keep the Heat On" Fund. (www.heatri.com) Prescription Funds: Must be ineligible for health coverage or waiting for health coverage to begin. Income Source: Catholic Charity Fund Appeal, donations, grants

Provides legal services for patients in psychiatric facilities. Investigates complaints about conditions in psychiatric facilities and group homes. Takes all necessary actions to protect the rights of patients in psychiatric facilities, residents of group homes and clients of community mental health centers.

Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that they receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible and that organizations within the established service delivery system meet the collective needs of the community; that attempt to marshal public support for a particular issue or cause; or that seek to influence legislation, local ordinances or administrative rulings in order to benefit specific interest groups or achieve specific social, political or environmental goals.

A coalition of agencies and individuals who provide services to or are concerned about homeless individuals and families. Advocates for responsible public policy to prevent and end homelessness. Provides education and technical assistance to members and information to the community at large. Coordinates Homeless Legal Clinic Program and publishes "Street Sheet". Provides tenant education and housing search assistance. They also help with meal sites, youth services, warming + cooling centers.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives. (877) 434-7598 TTY

Peer support in a non-structured environment where mental health consumers can stop by to relax, socialize and help develop whatever services and programs they want. Activities run as members feel appropriate. Mental health referral services available. The Oasis Advocacy & Social Center is consumer-run.

Services: The mission of the Poverty Institute is to promote economic security for low and moderate income Rhode Islanders and equitable tax and budget policies. We provide research, policy analysis, education, and advocacy on state and federal budget proposals, public benefit programs, adult education and economic development.

Provides information on child abuse laws, incidence, causes and effects. Conducts public awareness and educational activities for the prevention of child abuse. Advocates for the development of prevention programs within existing agencies, services and school systems. Resource library including films, tapes, etc. Speakers Bureau, Professional Development Training, Parent Workshops.. Member Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America VOAD Contact: Kate Begin, Executive Director E-mail [email protected] Income Source: Grants; donations

Offers meetings twice a year, Fall and Spring, a newsletter, parent support meetings, annual conferences, an up-to-date library, social events and new parent information packets, Buddy Walk, holiday party. They offer parents support, information, and advocate in the service system and in the community. We also offer newsletters, public awareness activities, and support. DSSRI provides information, experience, and support on challenges associated with raising a child with Down syndrome. We share this information with parents, family members, professionals and other individuals through informational meetings with speakers and panels, newsletters , and special events. DSSRI also provides support on an individual, parent- to- parent basis. DSSRI offers free New Parent Baskets to new Down syndrome families, which includes books about Down syndrome, pamphlets, toys, and something for mom and dad to help celebrate their new little one. DSSRI also serves as a resource for professionals interested in parental concerns. We provide speakers to schools, colleges, professional organizations and civic/ fraternal groups. DSSRI also advocates in the service system and in the community for all individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

National intermediary that helps communities end homelessness through the provision of systems reform and advocacy, training and consulting and through lending activitus to increase the number of permanent supportive housing units.