Among the innovative partnerships that provide the foundation for our initiatives and services to effect a positive impact on the lives of families in our communities are:
Making Connections Providence
In partnership with Making Connections Providence, the Family Economic Success initiative is an approach that helps low income working families build strong financial futures. The strategies to achieve success in this area include focusing on family economic support and community investment.
The Providence Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign
A key strategy of the Family Economic Success partnership with Making Connections Providence is The Providence Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign at John Hope Settlement House. The Campaign works with families to provide free tax preparation at almost ten Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites located throughout the neighborhoods of the West End, Elmwood, Upper and Lower South Providence and Olneyville. This effort has resulted in 1,500 households receiving free tax preparation last year. Over $1.2 million dollars in Earned Income and Child Care Tax Credits were received, and $2.5 million in federal and state income taxes were returned to households participating in this opportunity.
The Providence After School Alliance
The Providence After School Alliance and John Hope Settlement House have partnered in a project that has created neighborhood ‘campuses' of after school activities designed to respond to the variety of interests expressed by middle school youth and create a safe environment that allows for choice and managed independence within a familiar community setting. Called the "After Zone" project, these campuses are centered around middle schools, but extend to local recreation centers, school buildings, community centers, libraries and recreation fields to provide a network of providers that offer quality opportunities for these youth.
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
As a recipient of a State Incentive Grant, John Hope Settlement House is a lead partner in the Strategic Prevention Framework. Administered by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services this interagency collaboration supports efforts to reduce substance abuse related problems in the community, promotes substance abuse prevention strategies, works to build prevention capacities and infrastructure at both the community and state levels and strives to improve decision making to help build a comprehensive prevention system in Rhode Island.