Grants bring services to Middletown

Nine Middletown nonprofits are among the organizations that will share nearly $270,000 in grants from the Newport County Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“From enriching arts and educational opportunities for young people to underwriting critical health and job readiness programs, we are grateful to work with partners that are improving lives here in Newport County,” said Neil D. Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “We thank the donors who make these partnerships possible.”

Child & Family Services received $6,000 to support its Newport County Seniors Information and Referral Assistance Program. The nonprofit expects to serve hundreds of elderly Newport County residents through this program.

“We guide every client through the often confusing process of obtaining health insurance and other benefits they need. The goal is to provide our senior community members with the resources they need to remain independent, healthy and safe,” said Marty Sinnott, president and CEO.

According to Child & Family Services, more than 20 percent of Newport County residents are age 65 or older. More than 50 percent of Newport’s older adults are single and a large percentage live alone, the agency reports.

“We want elders and their caregivers to fully understand and take advantage of their options for health insurance, disability insurance, housing support, transportation solutions and other state- and community-based resources,” he said.

Clean Ocean Access received $5,000 to support its “Blue Access for All” project, which promotes healthy lifestyles by connecting under-served Middletown and Newport youth by connecting them with the Newport harbor waterfront, Cliff Walk and surrounding shorelines.
“Our hope is children will develop an active lifestyle with an improved sense of being happier, healthier and more connected to our natural environment,” said Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director. “Whether it is exploring for fun, doing fieldwork for science or participating in an art project, these activities combine healthy living, education and enjoyment in a way that will tap everyone’s curiosity and bring about a sense of hope.”

Common Fence Music received $5,800 to fund six concerts by its Connecting the Beats program, which brings African and Afro-Caribbean drumming and dance to the youth of Newport County through collaborations with local youth organizations and schools, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County.
“Music encourages cross-cultural communication and understanding. Music takes students into an integrated, transcendent experience. The health and wellness effect is always present without fail,” said Thomas Perrotti, the organization’s education director.

Day One received $10,000 to provide evaluation, advocacy and treatment services to child and adult victims of sexual violence and abuse. Specifically, grant funds will support programming to more than 250 Newport County child victims of sexual abuse and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) through the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC).
“This assistance will help us provide crucial advocacy and treatment for sexual abuse victims, and expand prevention education to help end sexual violence in Newport County,” said Peg Langhammer, executive director.

The James L. Maher Center, a developmental disability provider, received $10,000 to add a recreation program assistant who will offer recreational opportunities for participants to attend community events and outings. This new position will enable the organization to expand services beyond its current 30-hour-a-week day program offerings.

“These funds will provide an additional layer of opportunities for our participants to engage in a wider range of community activities.” Rose Morton, Executive Director.

Lucy’s Hearth received $10,000 to support the work of residential counselors for its on-site emergency shelter and transitional housing. Since July 2017, the organization has served 39 parents and 73 children in its on-site emergency shelter and transitional housing program. An additional 12 adults with their children were sheltered in the off-site transitional housing program.

“Children are particularly vulnerable to lasting effects due to homelessness. Thus, providing quality emergency shelter and trauma-focused support services for children experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island is critical in preventing adverse health, social, mental health and academic outcomes later in life,” said Jennifer Barrera, program director.

The Newport County YMCA received $6,000 to work with the Newport Community Mental Health Center to train staff to recognize and respond to signs of a mental health crisis and to offer programs that reduce the soc8la stigma around mental health. The YMCA estimates it serves about 7,000 adults and 3,000 children a year.

“We want to create a safe and nurturing environment for those in our community who may be struggling with mental health concerns. It is our hope that we can develop a program that serves as a model for YMCAs nationwide,” said Mike Miller, CEO.

Norman Bird Sanctuary received $10,000 to continue its educational programing for Portsmouth and Tiverton elementary school children. Modeled on the organization’s long-time program for Middletown and Newport students, the program served approximately 600 students following its launch last year.

“This initiative instills a love of nature and appreciation for the fun and excitement that science and nature can provide, positioning children for more complex concepts as they begin a years-long process of formal science education,” said Natasha Harrison, executive director.

The Star Kids Scholarship Program received $5,000 to help more than 80 at-risk Newport County children with academic tutoring, mentoring, and summer camp and after-school programs. The assistance provides students who come from disadvantaged home environments with the tools and activities to succeed in school and beyond.

“These funds will enable our Star Kids to participate in structured, healthy, engaging and supervised out-of-school activities to help improve their skills socially, emotionally, physically and academically. Such academic support will assist our children in being successful within their school environments, with the overall goal of graduating from high school,” said Kathy Stark, executive director.

The Foundation offered grants of up $10,000 in seven key funding areas: arts and culture, basic human needs, children and families, economic security, the environment, healthy lives and housing. In making the funding decisions, the Foundation worked with an advisory committee comprised of residents from every community in Newport County.

Established in 2002, the NCF has awarded more than $4 million in grants for programs and services for residents of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth and Tiverton. The NCF is one of one of several committee-advised funds at the Foundation established to fulfill the desire of donors and serving specific issues or geographic areas.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.