Stan Kapelewski
published November 2008

Humanitarian award: Improving life for people in need

Street Sights is proud to give this month’s Humanitarian Award to Capital City Community Centers at 110 Ruggles Street in Providence.

For 25 years, the Case Management Program of Capital City Community Center (known as Cap Cities) has helped Providence’s low-income residents meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and other necessities.

Cap Cities serves mostly people in the Smith Hill, Mount Pleasant, Elmhurst Valley, and Wanskuck neighborhoods. The pantry provides food to more than 2,000 people each year and serves low-income Providence adults, youth, and seniors.

Cap Cities is a non-profit, multi-site social service agency serving low-income residents of economically distressed neighborhoods within the cities of Providence, North Providence, and Woonsocket.It provides comprehensive family and community services to fulfill its mission of improving the quality of life, and promoting a positive social change in the community.

Cap Cities case management department is open Wednesdays, 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Thursdays,
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., year-round. The case manager provides basic assistance to clients during scheduled appointments or in walk-in crises, including food and clothing, referrals and help for crime victims.

The organization uses volunteers to help unload and sort incoming supplies. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer, call the office at
401-455-3880.

Rainbow award: Price evolves from art student to counselor

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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