By Stan Kapelewski
This month, Street Sights is proud to give its Rainbow Award to William W. Price Jr., a peer specialist and counselor at Oasis. He goes out of his way to listen to peoples’ problems, and gives them rides, haircuts, and a variety of other things.
When I asked him “What do you like best about helping people?” he responded, “The best job that you can have is helping your fellow human beings. I enjoy being the liaison for people that sometime cannot help themselves. I want to give back some of the opportunities that I had to others who are less fortunate.”
A lifelong Providence resident, he graduated from Central High School and attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and received a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration. He did some continuing education in computers.
In 1988 Price became a director of the Amos House men’s shelter, and in 1994 he became a house manager. In his time working in shelters he has helped more than 10,000 clients to get back on their feet. He also worked as a case worker for the Providence Center, helping mentally disabled clients, until he became ill with a thyroid condition that made him unable to work for awhile.
After his recovery, he found his way to the Oasis organization. He became a peer specialist and counselor in August of 2008, where he is now working part-time, five days a week.
His accomplishments include designing the Providence Public Library bookmobile bus at the age of 16; becoming the first black Eagle Scout in over 40 years at the age of 18; and receiving a proclamation from Mayor Cianci for his own day in Providence at the age of 18.
Price is listed in the 2008-09 edition of Marquis Who’s Who in the World (and in America). His profile is featured for his Humanitarian work with the poor or homeless. His poetry, with a spiritual theme, has been featured in more than 25 books across the world and in more than 15 languages.
Price can be reached at Oasis at 401-831-6937 or by e-mail at williamprice388@hotmail.com.
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