How We HELP
We help people better their own lives by providing hope and support for a better tomorrow and food security and homeless services to get through today.
Food Security
Downtown Food Pantry: Twice a month guests can shop for the food they choose (“client choice”). In summer, we distribute boxes of food geared to children (with no school breakfast or lunch).
Friday Night Community Meal :
Guests are served a sit-down dinner and can access programming: legal clinics health screenings, flu shots, nutrition information.
Homeless Outreach Program
Started by a homeless volunteer, he applied best practices of agencies he had once utilized himself. We work with the most marginalized: The newly and chronically homeless People with physical and mental disabilities Prisoners upon release Those suffering from addictions and in recovery.
HOPE & SUPPORT
Intensive Case Management: We give people hope and help them build their own support system with intensive case management.
Better Lives RI
We help people better their own lives by providing hope and support for a better tomorrow and food security and homeless services to get through today.
Better Lives RI, formerly PICA and the Providence In-town Churches Association, has been serving the needs of low-income and homeless people since 1974. We currently provide services to over 4500 people at our downtown Food Pantry and serve a hot meal to 500+ individuals/families monthly at our downtown community meal site. Our homeless outreach program offers intensive, holistic case management to 150+ unsheltered folks a month. Annually , Better Lives Rhode Island serves 62,000 of our friends and neighbors. Better Lives RI is a non-profit agency whose mission is to offer stability, justice, and hope to those in need through advocacy and direct service. This is accomplished through our three program areas.
Funding from Individuals
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Funding from Grants
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Funding from Other
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Please help support our mission with a donation
LATEST NEWS
Supporting Better Lives RI for 401 Gives
Better Lives RI stands on our dedication to our clients. Our people-first philosophy means that every person in need gets direct, personalized attention.
Snow, Rain & The Unhoused
While snow makes for picturesque scenery in Rhode Island, it sets a daunting challenge for our low-income and unhoused neighbors.
Unwrap Kindness: Better Lives RI Holiday Giving
The holiday season is a time of warmth and joy. Most importantly, it is a time for giving. At Better Lives RI, we believe in the power of kindness and the incredible impact it can have on individuals and communities. As we immerse ourselves in the holiday season, let’s not forget that working families in[…]
Prepare for Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, Help bring dignity to those struggling in the Rhode Island community by donating to Better Lives RI today!
Clothing Matters
Clothing Matters The ongoing housing crisis and financial strain put vulnerable unhoused Rhode Islanders at significant risk. In the past, we’ve discussed the hygiene gaps faced by the unhoused, but a unique struggle comes in the form of clothing. Despite over 21 billion pounds of textiles being wasted every year, the homeless population struggles to[…]
Recognizing Hunger Action Month
Every September is Hunger Action Month, As recently as 2021, over 13 million households in the United States were facing food insecurity — that means a slew of families are at risk of poor physical and mental health.
Extreme Temperatures and the Need For Shelter
For Rhode Island’s homeless population, a lack of permanent shelter can have disastrous effects on health, particularly during periods of record heat or record cold temperatures.
New Open Position: Case Manager
Case Manager – Homeless Outreach (Full-Time 37.5 Hours) Reports To: Executive Director Purpose: Provides comprehensive case management to homeless clients including screening, assessment, planning, and evaluation of services. Provides oversight for the outreach and case management team. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES The Case Manager will provide a range of services with the goal of connecting[…]
Sanitation Challenges Faced by the Unhoused
The unhoused face many daily challenges. One that is taken for granted by most is access to a bathroom and shower. For the unhoused, bathroom access is a challenge. How often do we see signs on doors “No Public Bathrooms” or “Bathrooms are for Patrons Only.” A daily hygiene regimen is crucial for good health[…]
The Bootstrap Mentality: Understanding Homelessness and Poverty
The Bootstrap Mentality ignores the structural factors that contribute to poverty and homelessness