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Serving Homeless Individuals and Families in Libraries: Referral: RI Resources

Resources to support library staff's work with homeless patrons, including referral and resources to facilitate interpersonal interactions.

Crossroads Rhode Island

Crossroads Rhode Island can assist patrons with housing and services.  There are resources for individuals, couples without children, families, and for people experiencing violence in a relationship. Crossroads also provides adult education and employment programs, including a Certified Nursing Assistant program. Clients can also access health and dental care through Crossroads.

Start here on the Crossroads Rhode Island website.

Crossroads Rhode Island, 160 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 521-2255 information@crossroadsri.org

Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless

The RI Coalition for the Homeless offers a legal clinic, access to temporary shelter, a shelter guide, printable guides (in Spanish and English) listing homeless services in Providence, Northern RI / Blackstone Valley, and Newport / Southern RI. A comprehensive Community Resource Guide is also available to download.

Rhode Island Homeless Legal Clinic

Temporary Shelter

Guides Providence, Northern RI / Blackstone Valley, and Newport / Southern RI

Community Resource Guide (July 2018)

RI Shelter Guide (July 2017)

The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless 1070 Main St, Suite 304, Pawtucket, RI 02860 (401) 721-5685 info@rihomeless.org

United Way of Rhode Island 2-1-1

 2-1-1 is a free and confidential resource for assistance with housing, food, childcare, and more. A team of specialists is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If they prefer to, clients can call or text directly. Website

Some resources and assistance from 2-1-1 RI are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Text services available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To get help through text messaging, text your zip code to 898211. Text services available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

East Bay Coalition for the Homeless

The East Bay Coalition for the Homeless helps families by stabilizing households and preventing homelessness.

East Bay Coalition for the Homeless, 100 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence, RI 02915 (401) 437-5104 (401) 324-678 ebchinfo@ebcap.org

House of Hope

House of Hope offers client services including housing, life skills, peer mentoring, and a mobile unit providing hot showers, haircuts, case management, and medical navigation services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Social services include counseling for mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence Counseling, and finance/budget.

House of Hope CDC, 3188 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02886 (401) 463-3324 info@thehouseofhopecdc.org

McAuley Ministries

McAuley Ministries is an independent nonprofit 501c3 organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community. McAuley Ministries provide the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, health services, emotional support and guidance, and respect for the most vulnerable in the community through its core values of Hospitality, Compassion, and Dignity. Social services include: rental vouchers, housing referrals, medical vouchers (prescription assistance), personal care items, transportation assistance, personal documentation (IDs, birth certificates, social security, food stamps, etc.), food including meals, counseling and crisis intervention, emergency telephone and referrals. McAuley Village is a two-year family-building transitional housing program for single mothers and their children.

McAuley Ministries 622 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907 (401) 941-9013

Emmanuel House

Emmanuel House is a male only shelter in Providence.

Open: 7 days a week, nightly 7:00 pm - 7:00 am (Intakes done nightly on site)
Guests cannot be on property before 5:30 pm or leave the property before 5:00 am. Guests must carry their belongings with them.
Case Management Appointments Available: Tues & Thurs  9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Shelter Guests Receive Assistance with:

  • SNAP (Food Stamps) Applications
  • Shower Facilities & Hygiene Products
  • Access to Clothing Room
  • ID Vouchers
  • Obtaining Health Insurance
  • Mental Health Referrals & Recovery Support
  • Employment Search & Resumes
  • Apartment Hunting & Applications
  • Referrals to Diocese’s Immigration Office
  • Case Management Services & After Care
  • Ability to take part in Community Garden

Emmanuel House 239 Public Street, Providence, RI (401-421-7888)