Monthly Archive for July, 2010

By Arline Bolvin

After decades of struggle and the attention of every president since Roosevelt, Congress has enacted major health insurance reform. To better understand the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) along with the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 Street Sights spoke to advocates and health care professionals and average insured and uninsured Rhode Islanders. In future editions Street Sights will explore health reform and how it will impact our readers.

The health insurance reforms adopted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and the subsequent reconciliation bill is to be phased-in over the next eight years. The Act preserves the current public—private mix of employer based coverage, Medicare and Medicaid and creates income-based subsidies to make coverage more affordable to low-and middle-income families without employer coverage. Continue reading ‘What’s in the New Health Insurance Reform?’

By Nancy Kelly

Some people apply for housing thinking it is an orderly, sequential event.   Most agency applications are three to five pages in length.  Either alone or with the help of a case manager, one would think the entire process –forms, evidence, statements, numbers –could easily be completed  in a week or within a relatively small amount of time.  NOT.  ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Not last month or the month before, as one applicant was soon to learn.  A quick glance at the Charts indicate why a “day-centering” activity for many might be gathering information and evidence that most agencies and landlords wish to know.  Self-initiating could spare you a good deal of waiting and speed up your process. Continue reading ‘The Bumpy, Frustrating Paper Road to Housing’

By Joshua-Michael Corrente

The number of homeless Rhode Islanders has increased over the last four months. This is unusual and alarming because in past years, the numbers of people requiring services from emergency shelters always decreased during the summer months.

“Rhode island is experiencing the highest numbers of homeless men, women and children in our history. Our shelters are more often than not overcrowded and the current affordable housing options in our state are woefully inadequate to meet the need,” said Jim Ryczek, executive Director of the RI Coalition for the Homeless. Continue reading ‘Rhode Island’s Summer of Discontent: Overcrowded Shelters’

Elbert James Moten, aka “Dr. Love”
July 9, 1960 – March 1, 2010

Elbert was born in Providence, the son of James Jones and the late Sally Moten, and sibling to the late Odell, Della and James Moten. He is survived by his youngest sister Margaret Moten, Shirley Robertson, Linda Moten, Curley, David and Stanley Moten and many nieces and nephews. Elbert was a well liked person who enjoyed helping others. He loved music, singing, writing poetry, riding his bike in the country, detailing cars and cleaning things. Elbert volunteered at Mathewson Street Church for 4 years. He always helped out in any way he could, and was entrusted with authority, and well admired. All who have met him know that he was quite the character and enjoyed life to the fullest. He is missed dearly by all. There will be a final service for Elbert on Friday, July 9th at 9am at the North Burial Ground on North Main St. and Branch Ave. in Providence. Donations will be accepted for his burial, and will be greatly appreciated. To donate, contact any representative of Mathewson Street Church, or call 401-331-8900 and leave a message.

John Joyce, director of the R.I. Homeless Advocacy Project, during recent testimony before the Senate in favor of adding crimes against the homeless to the state’s hate crime bill. The legislation passed both houses of the General Assembly and became law on July 1st without the Governor’s signature.