Bits & Pieces

From the Director…

It is with great excitement and joyful anticipation that I greet the challenges and responsibilities of accepting the directorship of South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. What a splendid organization SPNM is: volunteers ranging in numbers from 300-400, an exceptionally gifted and dedicated staff, a Board of Directors committed to the goals and mission of serving the South Providence neighborhood! In the course of my legal career I have represented the interests of various not-for-profit organizations and from experience I can say SPNM is extraordinary. The opportunity to work with you to achieve your goals is the most important reason I accepted this honor.

I am eager to press onward with our goals of acquiring more space, ever increasing the programs and services we are able to provide, and working with our staff as a team to come up with ever-better ways to efficiently serve our neighborhood.

Please come in, introduce yourselves, and let us get to know each other. I welcome your concerns AND your ideas.

Imani Winds coming to SPNM!

The sanctuary at Calvary Baptist Church will come alive with the music of Imani Winds on July 12th at 10:30 a.m. A free concert by the famous recording group Imani Winds is being provided for our enjoyment courtesy of the Kingston Chamber Music. Imani Winds is known for its unique art form combining classical music with South American and African rhythms. Calvary Baptist is handicapped accessible. ALL ARE INVITED!

Health Program Credited With Saving Life

SPNM’s Bobbi Houllahan received a letter from teacher Johanna Quattrucci of Dorcas Place telling of her student who, unknown to herself, had extremely high blood pressure and high blood sugar. The student’s serious condition was discovered during a free monthly health screening by the W&I Family Van which also provides a bi-monthly Diabetes Support Group in English and Spanish to SPNM clients. The student went to the emergency room to receive care and guidance. She credits Dr. Esperanza Gomez, the Family Van and SPNM with saving her life.

Our Core Values:

Reflecting God’s Love: Our ministries are motivated by God’s love for all people, especially the poor.

Showing Love, Caring, Respect and Dignity: Members of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers strive to show love, care, respect and dignity for our neighbors and for each other.

Developing a Peaceful and Just Community: We seek to develop a peaceful and just community by fostering a sense of interdependency and cooperation among and with our neighbors.

Empowering People: We seek to empower neighbors, volunteers, staff and the Board of Directors to build a safe neighborhood in which people value diversity, personal relationships, and protection of vulnerable people.

Cooperating with People of Faith: We value the support and participation of persons of diverse faiths. We acknowledge and value the historic and ongoing support of American Baptists.

Have you…

Thought about your donation and/or advertisement for the Fall Dinner?

Volunteer Honored

The Volunteer Center of Rhode Island each year honors individuals and groups who exhibit an outstanding commitment to volunteer service. Member agencies nominate volunteers for recognition on the basis of dedication shown to the organization. Community involvement is stressed.

Our own Marilyn Gufstason of North Kingstown received the 2006 Outstanding Volunteer Award for her work with SPNM. Congratulations Marilyn!

News…

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS WHO WORKED HARD TO KEEP SPNM MOVING AHEAD: Completed grants and proposals: United Way Safety Net, Rotary Charitable Foundation for Summer transportation funding for Louie’s Place, RI Council on the Arts (“3D: Drumming, Dancing and Drama” with Beth Berry), Episcopal Charities (Louie’s Place), and MORE. All programs have continued to run on time and with appropriate staffing. Summer Camp (“Happy Days”) will run June 19th through August 18th, NINE WEEKS, for the first time. The Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ has agreed to support a Hungarian pastor to volunteer with Louie’s Place from July 1st through December 31st, allowing us to accept 52 additional children in the program. Child Care Assistant Grants have increased from $135.00 to $$175.00 per week, and the after-school rate will increase from $85.00 to $100.00/week, enabling our licensed facility to better serve these children.

Who we are…

Judith Scott Named Executive Director

SPNM is happy to announce the appointment of Judith I. Scott as Executive Director. Scott is a professional artist and a lawyer, holding the MA in Industrial Management/-Psychology from RIC, the MS in Labor Studies/Labor Relations from URI, and the M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School. Her J.D. is from New England School of Law.

Scott was attracted to SPNM by its dedicated volunteers, staff, beneficial programs and excellent administration. She looks forward to meeting our many donors and supporters of SPNM during the months ahead. She’d be happy to come speak to your congregation or organization. Welcome, Judy!

 

ZULEIKA VIDAL first came to SPNM in 2004 as a program participant, and quickly signed on as a volunteer. She was first hired part time as an administrative assistant for the youth programs, and then with receipt of a United Way Safety Net grant, joined the Direct Services Program as a half time program assistant. She now works full time having added extra administrative responsibilities. She is an honors graduate of Classical High School, where she was active in the Hispanic Peer Counseling Group. She attended URI before returning to her native Puerto Rico where she was employed in the English Department of the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. Upon her return to Providence, she obtained a certificate in Human Services at Salve Regina, graduating at the top of her class. She also completed training as a Certified Teaching Assistant, again graduating with the highest GPA in the class. She is very actively involved with the Providence Public Schools, served on the search committee for the present superintendent and has been nominated for the Providence School Board. She is president of the Reservoir Avenue School PTO. She lives in the neighborhood with her husband and 7 year old daughter, Taisha, who is also a volunteer at SPNM.
Wish List: Bobbi: experienced volunteer file clerk; Grace: canned meats, tuna, beans, vegetables, soups; Amy: homework prizes, volunteers, healthful snacks, 100% Apple Juice; Zuleika: Spanish bi-lingual volunteer, new office supplies (white copy paper, all-occasion cards, sympathy cards) Thank You!

Board of Directors

Rev. Wesley A. Smith, President
Barbara Carlson, Vice President
Wendy Fox, Secretary
David Deuel, Treasurer
Richard Akinnusotu
Kenneth Bright
Elizabeth Cady
Polly Erickson
Janet Essex
Virginia Gomez Bernstein
Glen Fresch
Paul Kennedy
Linda Mendillo
Richard Pierce
Rev. Paul Schoonmaker
Barbara Smith

Ex-Officio:
Rev. Linda Spoolstra, Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church
Aumdria Alexander, Esq., National Ministries, ABC-USA

Advisory Board

Rev. Donald C. Anderson
Richard Battistoni
Bernie Boudreau
Betsy Aldrich Garland
David Hammarstrom
Bernard Jackvony
Gary Penfield
Robin Porter
Rev. Dr. Donald Rasmussen
Peter S. Smith, M.D.

Did you know…

South Providence Neighborhood Ministries started over a century ago in 1902 because of the coal shortage? Calvary Baptist Church provided shelter for families which could not heat their homes. In time the work of the original community shelter became ecumenical, and eventually became South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. Our longest-term employee is Grace Wilcox, who came to SPNM in 1985. Over the years SPNM has grown to 300-400 volunteers, 6 full-time staff, 3-4 part-time staff, a large active Board of Directors, and a range of programs to serve the people of South Providence far outreaching the original goal of sheltering families.

Here’s what we do…
Coming events!

Fall Dinner: On October 13, 2006, SPNM will be hosting its annual Fall Fundraising Dinner at the Quonset O Club. This year’s theme is “Love Thy Neighbor” an especially appropriate theme for SPNM. Once more Barbara Morse Silva will be our Emcee. Senator Jack Reed is our Honorary Chair, and Jametta Allston, Rhode Island Child Advocate, is the scheduled guest speaker.

Once more there will be a great assortment of baskets, gift certificates, and unique items in both a silent auction and a small live auction. Anyone who would like to donate auction items should contact the office or Nancy Bancroft at NanBanc@aol.com  as soon as possible.

A Donor sheet is attached below. Nan needs a separate sheet for each donation. Additional sheets may be obtained from the office, or you may photocopy the sample below.

“3-D” Presentation: Once again SPNM hopes to have Beth Berry’s myriad talents working with our children. Ms. Berry’s “3-D” includes drums, dance and drama. We look forward indeed to an exciting presentation at the end of the Summer on August 18th!

---

South Providence Neighborhood Ministries is a non-profit organization working, in response to our neighborhood’s diverse needs, to provide services and opportunities that encourage self-worth and build a safe and just community of caring, respect and cooperation.

Our annual Fall Dinner with Silent Auction will be held October 13, 2006, with the theme Love Thy Neighbor. Proceeds will benefit programs for children, youth and families provided by South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. Your donation is sincerely appreciated. THANK YOU!