Constituent Engagement
Consistent with the Coalition’s philosophy of service, it is deeply important for the us consistently elevate the voices of people experiencing homelessness both within the Coalition and within the larger homeless response system. The Coalition will work to ensure that those with lived experience provide their valuable perspective and are active partners as we work together to prevent and end homelessness in the state.
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The Coalition seeks to build, support, and celebrate constituent engagement and leadership at all levels of work at the Coalition and within the homeless response system.
Our 2019 – 2021 Strategic Plan set four (4) goals to attain this objective:
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Establish a Constituent Advisory Committee to the Coalition representative of persons experiencing homelessness in our state (i.e. families, youth, individuals, LGBTQ, persons of color, non-English speakers, etc.).
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Foster and support constituent leaders in the movement to end homelessness.
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Create opportunities for constituent voice to be included in policy decision making, advocacy, and systems change work.
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Work with the CoC to create a Homeless Advisory Committee to the Continuum of Care.
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The CAC is a place for those with lived experience of homelessness to share your feedback on the homeless system and help us understand the barriers to constituent involvement. If you have any questions or would like to join, reach out to our Community Engagement Lead, Brianna Ehler by emailing brianna@rihomeless.org
Formerly known as StoryPower (and before that, the Speaker’s Bureau), Voices of Homelessness is a team of Rhode Islanders who have each experienced homelessness and now share their respective stories to raise awareness and advocate for change.
Speakers share their stories in many venues: in the classroom and legislative hearings, at rallies and panel discussions, at community events and more. Voices of Homelessness leaders raise awareness and build the public will for change that’s critical in building the political will we need to get things done. They are the leaders of our movement to end homelessness in RI: when they speak, people listen.​
Meet the Speakers
Wilma Smith
Ruth "Diamond" Madsen
Wendy Thomas
Want to join?
Do you have lived experience of homelessness and want to become an advocate or educator? Join the Voices of Homelessness group today. Speakers are compensated for their events.
Want to book a speaker?
Want to educate your board room, classroom, or any one else on the intricacies of the homeless experience? Submit your interest here and we'd be happy to work with you and invite a speaker to your space.
The Homeless Legal Clinic serves in an outreach capacity by seeking out those experiencing homelessness and at risk clients at RI shelters. The HLC can provide direct legal services to those who cannot afford an attorney or may be unable to travel to a legal assistance office, are unaware such services exist or may be apprehensive about visiting a lawyer's office.
The RI Coalition to End Homelessness hosts a free legal clinic twice a month to assist households facing legal barriers (i.e. divorce, child support, custody issues, etc.) and to help with understanding legal documents, navigating paperwork, etc. Participation in legal clinics is by appointment only; slots are limited and not guaranteed. Callers must contact Brianna Ehler at brianna@rihomeless.org or (401) 232-4576 to make an appointment.
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WARM Center
56 Spruce St, Westerly, RI
4th Monday of every month from 10am-12pm
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Note: Coalition staff are not able to provide legal advice. Contact information is to set legal clinic appointments only Additionally, lawyers who volunteer at each clinic are not able to represent clients in court or provide ongoing legal services but may be able to answer questions and provide guidance on what to expect or what to do next.