RICH: Announcing Award Winners! 30th Anniversary & Award Breakfast

30th Anniversary & Award

Breakfast

Monday, October 1, 2018

8:30 AM - Registration

9:00 AM - Event Begins

11:00 AM - Adjourn

Crowne Plaza Hotel

801 Greenwich Avenue
Warwick, RI 02886

We are so excited to announce our award winners!

Legacy of Change Award - Deb DeBare - Senior Deputy Director at the National Network to End Domestic Violence and former Executive Director of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence for over 20 years. Deb has been an exceptional advocate who has dedicated her career to fighting for the rights of those who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness.

Keeper of the Flame Award - Eric Hirsch - Eric is a distinguished urban sociologist, whose publications have appeared in a variety of journals. He is the author of Urban Revolt: Ethnic Politics in the Nineteenth Century Labor Movement (UC Press). Above all, he is a tireless advocate for the homeless and spends most of his time outside the classroom in the fight for social justice.

Jack Reed Agent of Change Award - Christopher Rotundo - As a community organizer working for DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality) Christopher heads their Tenants andHomeowners Association leading the fight on housing issues throughout Rhode Island.

Sister Carol McGovern Forefront of Change Award - John MacDonald - As the Vice President of Adult Services at Crossroads Rhode Island, John MacDonald works to better the lives of men, women, and children who are homeless. He is a strong advocate for Housing First and believes the evidence and outcomes achieved utilizing Housing First methods clearly provide a clear road map for eradicating homelessness.

Judy Soares and John Coen Living the Change Award - Will Lawlor - Will gives of himself every time duty calls, Working for Riverwood Housing First, outreach is his life. Will knows what it is like to struggle and his heart is so big. He never gives up on a member and treats everyone with compassion. His devotion to his members and all those he helps is the epitome of living the change.

Judy Soares and John Coen Living the Change Award - Noella Blackwell - Noella is the Community Critical Needs Case Manager for the WARM Center based in Westerly. She provides case management to families and individuals in southern Rhode Island who are in crisis providing them with guidance in accessing needed services such as rent or utilities assistance, or access to food. With kindness, compassion and empathy Noella helps them understand that things can be better and that they can play an active role in making a better life for themselves and their families.

Protector of Change Award - Captain Zachariah Kenyon - Captain Kenyon is the Emergency Medical Services Chief of the Providence Fire Department. Believing that everyone deserves a second chance he oversaw the January 2018 launch of the Safe Stations program at all 12 city fire stations. Thanks to his efforts anyone seeking recovery from addictions can show up at any time and, at no cost, get connected in less than 15 minutes with treatment and recovery centers.

Educator of Change Award - Chris Ure - Chris is a professor in the School of Business at Johnson & Wales University. Among the business topics she covers in her courses she also teaches about homelessness and the issues a homeless person may face on a regular basis.

Show your support for our winners!

• Purchase tickets here
• Reach out to us for Scholarship information if you've experienced homelessness!