Rhode Island For Community And Justice

SINCE 1953 THE MISSION OF RHODE ISLAND FOR COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE HAS BEEN TO FIGHT BIAS, BIGOTRY AND RACISM BY PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT AMONG ALL RACES, CULTURES AND RELIGIONS. RICJ PROGRAMS SEEK TO END THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES THAT RESULT IN POVERTY AND TO BUILD INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES. THE PROPOSED VISTA PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE CNCS FOCUS AREAS OF 1-ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: EMPLOYMENT/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, 2-EDUCATION: SUCCESS IN K-12 EDUCATION; AND 3-HEALTHY FUTURES: ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. THE VISTA PROJECT HAS THE GOAL OF EMPOWERING URBAN LOW INCOME YOUTH OF COLOR, PROMOTING SCHOOL AND CAREER SUCCESS AND PREVENTING THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. WE EXPECT THIS PROGRAM WILL BENEFIT 250 LOW INCOME URBAN YOUTH THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION SERVICES, AND BENEFIT 350 ARRESTED JUVENILES THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DIVERSION WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES. TWO (2) VISTA MEMBERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT BY PERFORMING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS, MARKETING, EVALUATING AND IMPROVING CURRICULA, REPORTING ON OUTCOME DATA, OUTREACHING TO COMMUNITY, SEEKING RESOURCES, AND COLLABORATING WITH PROGRAM PARTNERS TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRAMS, OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS.