Building economic security

Building economic security

Lift United

WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST

Families struggling to make ends meet are often one flat tire or unexpected medical bill away from not being able to pay their rent that month.

CHILDHOOD POVERTY

38%

is the percent of Latinx children who live in poverty in Rhode Island

HOME OWNERSHIP

<50%

is the portion of Black and Latinx Rhode Islanders who own their homes compared to whites

LIVING IN POVERTY

150,000

is the number of Rhode Islanders who live in poverty, with many more considered cost-burdened

WHAT WE'RE DOING TO BUILD ECONOMIC SECURITY

Supporting adult education, job training, and businesses owned by women and minorities

We are advocating and investing to:

  • Expand access to adult educations and job training programs, especially for multi-language learners.
  • Ensure these programs train our neighbors for the livable wage jobs of tomorrow, as well as of today.
  • Support the growth and stability of businesses owned by women and minorities in Rhode Island, which in turn will drive economic growth in our state.
PBN image of Genesis Center job training for strength in numbers article
UWW_Vanita_010_alt

Securing affordable housing for all

We are investing in and advocating for systems and programs that re-imagine housing so that it is safe and affordable for all who live in our state.

Investing in care coordination for 211 callers

When Rhode Islanders call 211, they are in crisis or one step away from a crisis. While continuing to connect the roughly 200,000 callers each year with the resources they need right away, we are developing a social service care coordination system so that 211 callers will have more comprehensive support and more streamlined access to the resources they need. Improved efficiencies in the social service sector with improved speed of access to services will improve health and wellbeing of Rhode Islanders. We’re starting this year by transforming our 211 technology.

Working towards our Lift United 2025 Goals

LIVE United 2025: Lift United

Building Economic Security

Through our Lift United pillar, we’re investing in affordable housing, improving care coordination, and expanding access to adult education and job training. We’re also supporting the growth and stability of women- and minority-owned businesses.

Person wearing a white hardhat inside while holding a coffee
Goal: Employment

Reduce the number of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) who are underemployed or unemployed by 25%.

Source: Dept. of Labor and Training (2019)
Frequency: TBA

Chat icon

Housing is a fundamental human right and, today, too many Rhode Islanders are on the brink of homelessness

Goal: Affordable Housing

Reduce the number of Rhode Islanders who are housing cost burdened by 25%.

Key: Housing Cost Burdened
Blue = No, Orange = Yes

Percentage of Cost Burdened

Number of Cost Burdened

Source: HousingWorks RI Annual FactBook
Frequency: Annual

HOW YOU CAN HELP BUILD ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ALL

Join us. That's what it means to "Live United." We can't do this alone.

Vote

Vote yes on 3 for the housing bond special election in February 2020.

Pledge

Sign our equity pledge to join us in eliminating policies that disadvantage Rhode Islanders of color.

Give

Donate today or through your employer’s annual giving campaign to support our efforts.

Untitled design (6)

United Way of Rhode Island impulsa la equidad y el compromiso cívico

United Way of Rhode Island impulsa la equidad y el compromiso cívico

En una reciente entrevista en 12 Informa, María Elena Wah-Fitta, Manager of Brand Voice en United Way of Rhode Island, destacó los esfuerzos de la organización para promover la equidad racial y apoyar a las comunidades más vulnerables del estado.

READ ON SITE

Headshot of Kyle Bennett.

Bennett Named Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer

GoLocalProv

Kyle Bennett, who has long been at the forefront of United Way of Rhode Island's legislative and policy work, has been promoted to the organization's Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer. Most recently, he served as senior director of public policy and equity, and joined United Way in 2006.

READ ON SITE

Courtney_Bourns_Headshot-transformed-1365x2048

Grantmakers Council of R.I. names Bourns new executive director

PBN

Courtney Bourns, who has served as a strategy and program consultant for multiple foundations across the country for the last six years, has been named the new executive director for the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island, the financial support nonprofit announced Tuesday.

VIEW ON SITE

Paola Fernandez Appointed Chair of United Way of RI Board of Directors

United Way of Rhode Island has named a new chair of its Board of Directors, appointing Paola Fernandez to the volunteer leadership position. Fernandez is SVP, Community Development Officer for Centreville Bank and succeeds Dolph Johnson, retired EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Hasbro, Inc., who recently completed his three-year term as chair. Read […]

United Way Hires Tiffany Reed as Chief Development Officer

United Way of Rhode Island has welcomed a new chief development officer (CDO) to its team. The organization today announced the hiring of Tiffany Reed, who officially began her new role on Sept. 5. Most recently, Reed served as CDO for Tufts Medicine after holding the position of vice president, development, at Tufts Medical Center.

United Way Announces $1.5M in Providence Equity Fund Grants

During a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 14, United Way of Rhode Island and the City of Providence announced the recipient organizations of $1.5 million in funding from the Providence Equity Fund. In total, 15 organizations have been awarded grants to support strategies that promote racial and social equity, economic mobility, and educational opportunities for underserved populations in Providence.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Early Voting Begins October 16 - Questions? Call 211