October 2023 Updates
As we approach October 10th, a date marked as World Homelessness Day, we wanted to share with you the sobering realities faced by our fellow Rhode Islanders and the tireless efforts of Foster Forward to make a difference.
September 2023 Updates
As the biggest and busiest retail season of the year kicks in, I’m excited to tell you about one of Rhode Island’s most special shopping experiences – the Foster Forward Community Storefront. Here are seven reasons why it’s a wonder for foster families and the youth in their care…
ONE|NB and Taunton Avenue Collaborative Close on Purchase of Vacant Taunton Avenue Property, Plans Underway for Transformative Housing Initiative in East Providence
ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) recently purchased three contiguous vacant and blighted properties - for a total acquisition of 2.95 acres of land - on Taunton Avenue in East Providence and will transform the site into a mixed-income residential community, featuring 160 new apartments and plentiful amenities.
Why hair care is important…
Did you know that Hispanic, Black and LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented AND underserved in foster care?
It's true. These youth and young people remain in foster care longer, are adopted less frequently, and must overcome discrimination, trauma, and other foster care hurdles to find success.
In her own words: From dependence to independence
It’s so exciting when an individual we have served makes time to connect with us. We are thrilled to bring you this conversation with Denisse Perez, an alumna client of ours who went from living in a group home with her two year old daughter to becoming a registered nurse and living in her own home.
Do you remember when you were just starting out?
Do you remember when you were just starting out? Leaving home? Going to college? Or starting a new job? Moving into an apartment? Many of us have people we can turn to - family, friends, mentors - to help us out. That is not always the case for foster youth.
Nobody had coats
Do you know about our Community Storefront location?
Foster youth and families can shop at the Community Storefront for donated materials, like new and gently used clothing, toys, and other household essentials...for free.
We fill its 4000 square foot space month after month with regular donations from individuals, families, businesses, and partners, and fill in the gaps with our own funds when necessary.
You are invited to be a founding member of our Loyalty Program
We are thrilled to introduce our Second Home Loyalty Program! Many foster youth and families share that our office, our people, our volunteers and community are like a “second home” to them after being shuffled from house to house and/or experiencing homelessness.
A place to cook. A place to study. A place to sleep.
When a former foster youth experiencing homelessness is referred to us, we immediately start combing through rent advertisements and contacting landlords. It’s not a simple process. Rent is notoriously high in Rhode Island and housing supply is low (that’s a topic for another time).
When we DO find a safe apartment for our young people, we start going through our food pantry and perusing our community Storefront to pull together all the necessities of moving into a first apartment.