History
Mission
Who We Serve
Board of Directors

History

Project Outreach was established in the early 1970s by the former Washington Park United Methodist Church to provide emergency assistance to it's surrounding neighbors in times of need. At that time, the church was instrumental in helping refugees from Southeast Asia settle into the neighborhood. We matched refugee families with families from all over Rhode Island to help the new arrivals with all of their basic needs. We also provided shelter, clothing, food, as well as friendship, and taught new arrivals how to survive in a culture very different from the one they had left.

Since then, Project Outreach has added a food pantry, bread distribution, and utility and rental assistance programs. We have offered many educational programs for adults and children and continue to seek ways to expand these endeavors by providing prescription help for the uninsured, exercise programs in our gym, and ESL and GED programs.

Mission

The mission of Project Outreach is to work with and through churches, community residents, other groups, and all people of good will to rebuild and renew life in the Washington Park neighborhood and surrounding area.

Who We Serve

Project Outreach continues to be the major provider of food, clothing, services, and other programs to the Washington Park community (02905 area code) of Providence and Cranston. We serve some 400 families and individuals each week, providing not only physical support but also much needed emotional support and guidance.

Board of Directors

Project Outreach recently formed a Board of Directors that includes members of the community, volunteers from the Food Distribution program, and constituents from the R.I. churches that support Project Outreach and its director. The Board meets monthly to discuss the different program opportunities, plan strategies to better understand and serve the needs of the area residents, and discuss fund-raising and budget issues.

This Board also strives to further diversify its make-up to more closely resemble the community we serve. We continue to seek more minorities and members of the community to serve on the Board.

A major goal is to evaluate input from the community and the participants in the programs and implement programs to match their needs and requirements.