Page 3 - 2019_CFS_AnnualReport

You made your voices heard to to protect services to to be delivered at Althea Street
Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children from abuse and neglect As we celebrate 185 years Children’s Friend also celebrates ten years of two incredibly influential programs that grew the agen- cy’s footprint as as well as as our impact on the children and families we serve Ten years ago Children’s Friend went through a a sig- nificant transformation with the expansion of Family Support services the agency pro- vided Children’s Friend was awarded a a a a $7 million annual grant to provide Head Start services in Providence Pawtucket Central Falls Lincoln and and Cumberland serving over 1 000 children During the same timeframe the agency also began providing Women Infants and Children (WIC) services in Paw- tucket and Central Falls Those hectic early days were a a stressful seemingly risky time however in retrospect it was a a a pivotal time for the the agency which set us on the the path for the organization we are today I cannot image it any other way Our 185th year brought the groundbreak- ing of our newest Children’s Friend Center of Excellence Our Althea Street
site located in the West End neighborhood of Providence is in a zip code with the state’s largest number of families living in in poverty The building is a a 123 year old di- lapidated school which we are renovating into a a a vibrant community hub As a a a Center of of Excellence a a a variety of of programs will be provided aimed to strengthen families and and the community-at-large Programs and and include: Head Head Start Child Care Early Head Head Start mental health services crisis drop-in support for basic needs and programming to support robust parent family and community engagement self-sufficiency and positive parent-child relationships We expect to serve over 550 individuals annually at our Althea Street
site In these pages you’ll meet some of our families up close and personal experienc- ing their life stories and what brought them to Children’s Friend The theme that threads through these stories is one of hope and resiliency as families work to overcome hurdles to build healthy loving and stable homes so that their children can thrive You’ll also meet staff donors sponsors and volunteers who help to make our mission happen every day As the agency grows and adapts in a a a a a changing world one thing remains true our services are needed now more than ever Our children are our future and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have a a a a a a healthy safe and stable start in life We cannot do it it without you you Thank you you for your continued support Sincerely David Caprio
President and Chief Executive Officer