Working together to create Better Lives
for EVERYONE.

Stay in Touch with our newsletter to learn more about
Better Lives RI’s work in the community

HELPING THOSE LESS FORTUNATE IN 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.

How we are helping

Food Pantry

Open Mon 3-6 pm
Tues and Wed 9am-1pm. All Providence residents are welcome and can shop with us twice a
month. Please bring your own bags. Shopping is limited to only one person per household per visit. Other services provided at pantry are healthcare/health insurance help, SNAP assistance, vaccination clinics, healthy recipes and more. The pantry is located at: 12 Abbott Park Place, Providence. On street parking is available for pantry shoppers.

Community Meals

Everyone is welcome to dine with us! A complete sit-down dinner entrée, (protein, starch,  vegetables), dessert, and beverage is served with care and respect. In addition to a nutritious meal, we offer free legal clinics, health screenings, flu shots, and other healthcare and wellness resources in cooperation with the 134 Collaborative. Homeless outreach workers are on-site to connect diners with shelter and support. 
Friday Night Meal is located at 134 Mathewson St, Providence. Hours: Doors open at 3pm; Meal is served from 3pm-5pm.

Homeless Outreach

Our team understands the impact of trauma, addiction, abuse, illness, loss and other hardships endured by people who have been homeless long-term. Outreach workers comb the streets and provide water, food, first aid, clothing, bedding, hygiene products, and more to anyone who is unsheltered. We meet people where they are and offer support and resources for wellbeing including connection to shelter, medical care, treatment facilities, sober living and other safe environments.

Day Center Services

12 Abbott Park Place, Providence.
Mon-Thu: 9:30am – 4:30pm, Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Our agency offers comprehensive case management and social services in one place. We provide photo ID vouchers, benefits assistance (SNAP, SSI/SSDI, health insurance, healthcare), housing assistance and referral to other resources. Our case managers are experienced in addressing barriers to housing such as previous incarceration, low-income, poor credit, etc. and will work with you to develop a plan for securing a safe, affordable place to live. They will identify housing options, provide application assistance and connect you with subsidies and tenant resources to help you succeed. If you’re in danger of losing your housing, we can connect you with legal representation, negotiate with your landlord, and find workable solutions to keep you in your home.
Please call 401-454-7422 for more info.

How you can help

Your contributions will go towards assisting clients with housing as well as providing basic needs and supplies. Help is always needed in our food pantry as well as our community meal center. Please contact us for volunteering opportunities. 

Donate

Click to be directed to our donation page

Volunteer

Message us about volunteering.

Get Involved

Organize Food drives, events and more. 

Thanks to your donations and volunteering we feed
over 2000 people per month and over 30,000 annually.
In the last 50 years, we have fed over 2.25 million Rhode Islanders!

About Us

Better Lives Rhode Island is a non-profit agency whose mission is to offer stability, justice, and hope to those in need through advocacy and direct service. Formerly known as PICA and the Providence In-town Churches Association, Better Lives Rhode Island has been serving the needs of the community since 1974. On a monthly basis, our agency currently provides food to over 2000 low-income Providence residents at our Food Pantry and feeds 500+ individuals/families at our Community Meal. Our Homeless Outreach and Day Center programs provide basic needs, holistic case management and support services to 60+ unsheltered and housing insecure folks a month. Annually, Better Lives Rhode Island serves over 30,000 of our friends and neighbors.

Better Lives RI 
12 Abbott Park Place
Providence, RI 02903

 401-454-7422
 info@betterlivesri.org

Job Opportunities

Interested parties please submit your resume and cover letter via email to phudson@betterlivesri.org.

Better Lives RI is an equal opportunity employer and offers generous benefits. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.

Better Lives Rhode Island is now hiring for part time weekend staff for a new transitional housing program located in Providence. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to phudson@betterlivesri.org. The program will house 6 previously homeless women and will be staffed 24/7.

The Part-Time Weekend Staff reports to the House Manager and provides support to residents and oversight of the facility during weekend hours.

Two shifts available: 7am-3pm and 11pm-7am

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Supervise weekend operations, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
  • Assist residents with their needs and provide guidance on house rules.
  • Conduct regular facility checks and ensure cleanliness and safety.
  • Support program activities or workshops scheduled during the weekend.
  • Complete shift logs and communicate key updates to weekday staff.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Availability to work flexible weekend hours.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Previous experience in social services or residential programs preferred.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.

Better Lives Rhode Island is now hiring for an overnight staff person for a new transitional housing program located in Providence. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to phudson@betterlivesri.org. The program will house 6 previously homeless women and will be staffed 24/7.

The Overnight Staff reports to the House Manager and is responsible for monitoring the facility and providing support to residents during overnight hours.

Two shifts available: 7am-3pm and 11pm-7am

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Conduct hourly facility checks to ensure safety and security.
  • Assist residents with emergencies or urgent needs that arise overnight.
  • Maintain detailed shift logs and report incidents or maintenance issues.
  • Prepare the facility for morning operations, including setting up common areas and addressing any overnight cleaning needs.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures during the shift.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Ability to stay alert and responsive during overnight hours.
  • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience in residential programs or similar settings preferred.
  • Basic proficiency in written communication for record-keeping.

Better Lives Rhode Island is a small but mighty social service agency that prides itself on delivering efficient and effective outreach and case management to those who are homeless. Our success is largely dependent on the stellar ability of our dedicated case management team. We are currently searching for an experienced person to join our ranks as an outreach case manager. The ideal candidate will have experience in providing case management to the homeless population. Being a team player is crucial. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Work effectively with populations that have experienced vulnerability, trauma, poverty, incarceration, substance use, developmental delays, compromised mental wellness, brain injuries, literacy and numeracy issues, and/or, other conditions or situations that have impacted their ability to maintain housing stability
  • Advocate for client interests both orally and through written correspondence
  • Collect and enter client data into the Homeless Management Information System
  • Connects clients with Coordinated Entry System for shelter and housing referrals
  • Create and maintain individualized service plan, case notes, client records and eligibility documentation
  • Assist clients in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as ID, social security card, birth certificate, disability documentation etc.
  • Maintain confidentiality and respect in all aspects of the work environment
  • Attend and actively participate in all agency/departmental required trainings and/or staff meetings
  • Other duties may be required as time permits, at the discretion of the Executive Director

Required Qualifications:

  • Prior Social services or Street Outreach experience preferred
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Human Services, or equivalent education and/or experience
  • Works effectively with people of varying racial, ethnic, cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Has basic understanding of severe mental health, physical health, and substance use issues.
  • Listens with sensitivity to other people’s feelings, needs, and point of view; demonstrates tact and courtesy in expressing options or ideas, and recognizing opportunities to enhance community relations.
  • Knowledge and practice of Harm Reduction and Housing First service delivery models
  • An ability to organize, prioritize and perform tasks in an accurate manner with attention to detail
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Docs.
  • Experience with HMIS data entry or comparable system
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desired Qualifications:

  • Adapts well to changing priorities and challenging individuals
  • Works effectively within a team and motivates others
  • Maintains personal and professional integrity and handles confidential information with discretion

Interested parties please submit your resume and cover letter via email to phudson@betterlivesri.org with the subject line “Outreach Worker/Case Manager”

Better Lives Rhode Island is a Housing agency and whenever possible applies the Housing First model to all clients. The Homeless Case Manager will provide a range of services for clients, with the ultimate goal of getting them housed. This may include negotiation and mediation with property owners and utility companies, information and referrals regarding debit/credit, benefits, healthcare, substance use, employment or job training and other resources. The Homeless Case Manager is expected to actively participate as a member of the Day Center Case Management team, working both collaboratively and independently to provide services including crisis intervention, emergency services, support services and case management. This is a full-time position, however flexibility in schedule may be required. This position reports directly to the case manager supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • As needed, provide information and referral services, and counseling around immediate client concerns and/or barriers to housing, including but not limited to: financial instability, legal issues, mental health issues, substance abuse, un- or under-employment, health care, and housekeeping;
  • Obtain all necessary releases and consent forms from clients
  • Create and maintain confidential case files for clients, complete progress notes for each client, and document any other correspondence as required
  • Collect and enter client data into the Homeless Management Information System.
  • Create and maintain housing plan for each client
  • Accurately document time and effort as required by funders
  • Acquire and maintain knowledge of outside sources such as medical, psychological, educational, social services, legal, housing and community resources and how to apply and use them effectively
  • Establish working relationships with colleagues in other agencies to support individuals in attaining services such as housing, mental health treatment, medical care, financial resources, medical benefits, etc.
  • Effectively communicate and articulate our clients’ needs to others, both orally and through written correspondence
  • Advocate for housing for clients at various monthly meetings coordinated by the Coalition to End Homelessness
  • Be considerate of each client’s privacy and confidentiality and respect the racial, religious, cultural, and linguistic background of each client
  • Collaborate with and provide mentorship to students, peers, interns, and volunteers
  • Attend, prepare and actively participate in all agency/departmental required training and/or staff meetings
  • Other duties may be required as time permits, at the discretion of the Supervisor

Required Qualifications:

  • Experience in case management with individuals and/or households at risk of homelessness.
  • Familiarity with affordable housing and housing subsidies.
  • Knowledge of principles and techniques of interviewing, assessment, counseling and the ability to assist clients with planning and action steps to achieve goals.
  • Knowledge and experience with service agencies and resources for low-income and/or homeless individuals and families.
  • Willingness to work as part of a team to promote the goals of the program and organization.
  • Sensitivity to the needs of the homeless, low-income, and diverse populations;
  • Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting.
  • Excellent time management, organizational, communication, and writing skills;
  • The capability to set and observe appropriate personal boundaries and limits.
  • An ability to organize, prioritize and perform tasks in an accurate manner with specific attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Docs

Desired Qualifications:

  • Applicants with lived experienced strongly encouraged to apply
  • Bilingual (English-Spanish). The ability to read and write in Spanish a plus but not required.
  • Maintain a valid driver’s license, and a properly insured, inspected and registered automobile

Interested parties please submit your resume and cover letter via email to phudson@betterlivesri.org with the subject line “Homeless Case Manager”

Send us a message!

FAQ

Answers to some of our most common questions.
For more information please call 401-454-7422

We are located at 12 Abbott Park Place, Providence. We are open Monday 3pm-6pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-1pm. On street parking only - please do not park in church lot.

All Providence residents are welcome and can shop with us twice a month. Registration is required. Please bring your own bags. Shopping is limited to one person per household per visit.

Not everyone has access to a hot nutritious meal - people staying in shelters, cars, tents and on the streets often don’t. In 2023, we served 5,189 hot meals to hungry people. Our Community Meal is open to anyone and everyone – no questions asked. Doors open at 3pm. Meals are served from 3pm – 5pm every Friday at 134 Matthewson St. Providence.

We are currently seeking volunteers for our food pantry and community meal programs. Donations of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, diapers etc.) are welcome. Please call 401-454-7422.

According to RI Coalition to End Homelessness, as of March 2024 there were 815 people, including families with children, (511 households) living in unsheltered conditions in our state. In total, there are 2225 homeless individuals (1401 households) waiting for housing. Despite a shortage of affordable housing and shelter beds, Better Lives RI helped connect 57 people with shelter and secured permanent housing situations for 96 individuals including locating 43 affordable rentals in 2023.

Homeless and not sure what to do next?

Our social service specialists are here to help you