PROVIDENCE – Bank Rhode Island has awarded a total of $105,000 in charitable grants to 30 local nonprofits that provide education and mentorship to youths, as well as programs that provide basic need supports, the bank announced.
“Supporting our community and funding programs that make a difference for Rhode Islanders is always a priority for all of us at BankRI,” William Tsonos, the bank’s CEO and president, said in a statement. “There are many ways in which nonprofits not only help lift up our neighbors during tough times, but also enrich quality of life in our state – it’s important they have the resources to continue doing their important work.”
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Among the grant recipients was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, which was awarded $2,500 to support its mentor programs, including a new initiative that “addresses the void in services available to [youths] once they turn 18,” according to a news release.
The initiative, called Real Skills for Young Adults, was launched as a pilot last September and is geared toward youths between the ages of 18-25. It focuses on teaching life skills such as how to apply for an apartment or enroll in health insurance, and includes education and employment supports such as a skills assessment for career paths, resume development, and job interview practice sessions, according to the release. Participants meet in a group monthly and benefit from the support of mentors and case managers.
The grant will also support the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Real Skills Ready & Waiting program, which pairs boys aged 10-14 on their waitlist with an individual mentor to discuss topics such as future goals, emphasizing life skills, and learning about hobbies and interests.
“Funding like BankRI’s is fundamental to our ability to provide new experiences and opportunities for our [youths] so they can explore and grow,” Kaleigh Perkins, chief operating officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, said in a statement. “This is about supporting the empowerment of young people, which has the power to change their trajectory in life. Every dollar counts for nonprofits, and we appreciate knowing we have partners committed to helping ensure we’re able to run these programs and offer new ones that meet specific areas of need.”
Other organizations that received a BankRI grant include:
- Academic Decathlon
- Adoption Rhode Island
- Artists Exchange/Gateway to Change
- Back to School Rhode Island
- Books Are Wings
- Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick
- Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
- Coaching for Change
- Community College of Rhode Island Foundation
- Community Preparatory School
- Crossroads Rhode Island
- Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
- Grow Smart Rhode Island
- John E. Fogarty Foundation
- Junior Achievement of Rhode Island
- Newport Contemporary Ballet
- Newport County YMCA
- Newport String Project
- Pawtucket Central Falls Development
- Potter League for Animals
- Prout School
- Providence Preservation Society
- Providence Public Library
- Rhode Island College Foundation
- Rhode Island PBS Foundation
- SquashBusters
- The Miriam Hospital Foundation
- Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
