In light of the health and safety concerns brought forth by the COVID-19 virus, RIOT RI has elected to suspend all programming between 3/12-3/30. 

We want to acknowledge that this is an evolving situation, and we don’t know the full extent of how the virus will affect our programming in the coming weeks and months. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation, and making decisions with the health and safety of our students and the most vulnerable communities as our north star. 

For the time being, you can expect programming to be rescheduled for two weeks after its original date, including Group Lessons, Band Booster, and Community Showcases. Adult Rock Camp has been canceled and rescheduled for the Fall. Staff will be working from home for the duration of the next two weeks, so the office will be temporarily closed. 

We hope that this moment of uncertainty gives us all a chance to slow down and heal. Though we are isolating out of necessity, we hope to see our communities using this time to care for themselves and their neighbors. Take your dog for a walk. Cook yourself dinner. And for COVID’s sake: Wash. your. Hands. 

In Need of Resources?

These are the most up to date links:

COVID-19 Fact Sheet – What You Need to Know!

RIDOH & CDC Fact Sheet

While the majority of people who have COVID-19 will experience mild (but still serious) symptoms, others will experience severe symptoms. The measures we all take now protect not just ourselves, but our neighbors, and help to keep our healthcare systems from being overwhelmed.

  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. For a 20 second count, Sing “Happy Birthday” twice, or check out this link for some other song options.
  2. Stay home if you’re not feeling well.
  3. Avoid crowds.
  4. Practice Social Distancing

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Providence Public Schools are closed until at least April 6 and will begin distance learning programs on Monday March 23. Stay up to date on PPSD here.

Updated List! Breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup for all school age children (under 18, no ID required) beginning Tuesday, March 17 from 11am – 2pm at the following locations:

  • Gilbert Stuart Middle School, 188 Princeton St.
  • Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St.
  • Mt. Pleasant High School 4343 Mt. Pleasant Ave.
  • Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Ave.
  • E-Cubed Academy, 812 Branch Ave.
  • Juanita Sanchez High School, 182 Thurbers Ave.
  • Hope High School, 324 Hope Street
  • Vartan Gregorian Elementary, 455 Wickenden St
  • William D’abate Elementary, 60 Kossuth St
  • Del Sesto Middle School, 152 Springfield St

Dinner is available for pickup at any Rec Center in the City of Providence. Monday- Friday, from 4 – 6 pm for Providence youth (18 and under). Click here for a list of Rec Center locations.


RELIEF & AID

For Individuals: Unemployment and TDI information. Visit DLT to file a claim.

For Small Business: Call Commerce RI’s Small Business Hotline during business hours at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info@commerceri.com anytime.

  • If your business has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, please fill out the Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet for Businesses. Accurate responses to the survey will assist in evaluating a request for an economic injury disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  
  • It is critical that small businesses track COVID-19 related loss of income, to help with relief when funds become available.

Utilities: National Grid, Providence Water, and many cable and internet providers have all committed to stopping collection actions and cut-offs for the coming months.

Food: In addition to school breakfast and lunch our communities food pantries are open and available. Federal Hill House maintains two food pantries:

  • Our Federal Hill Food Center is located at 35 Swiss Street, in Providence, and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 12pm. For more information, please contact Fanny Mercedes at (401) 421-1095. 
  •  The Olneyville Food Center is located at 261 Manton Ave, in Providence, and is open  Tuesdays 9am – 1pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am – 5pm; and Fridays  9am to 2pm. For information on the OFC, call Jackie Reyes at (401) 714-0057.

For free meal delivery for seniors and homebound community members, visit Meals on Wheels.

Mortgage Assistance: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a ban on foreclosures and evictions for all FHA-insured Single Family mortgages for the next 60 days. (3/18) To find out if your mortgage qualifies you can look up who owns your mortgage here.

Rent Assistance: City Councilors and community organizers are advocating for specific relief for eviction and rent relief for residents and small businesses. In the meantime, District Court is currently closed to all but emergency cases. Eviction cases will not be heard in court until the courts re-open. More information soon.

Criminal Justice Reform: Community organizers are leading the way on organizing to protect incarcerated people and staff. More information soon.

Homelessness Outreach and Assistance: The City of Providence is working with agencies who serve the homeless to ramp up protection and support. Visit the RI Coalition for the Homeless.

Commercial Programs: A lot of companies are offering help and support right now. I’ll share what I see on Facebook. One important resource that stands out:

AMOR is keeping an awesome document with statewide relief programs, public and private.


CITY SERVICES

Follow the Providence Emergency Management Agency for regular updates.

Providence is also using 311 to share information. Download the app for iphone and Googleplay.



MUSIC KITS FOR ALL!

Learn an instrument or deepen your practice by taking out a music kit from RIOT RI!

All kits will include:

– An electric guitar or bass
– A practice amp
– Cables to get you plugged in
-A practice booklet

**We are waiving our deposit fee to youth and those whose income has been affected by COVID-19, if you have the ability to pay we ask that you self assess in how much you can contribute to help us fund music accessibility to others Regular deposit fee $30. No one turned away for lack of funds!

Link to register: GEAR LOAN APPLICATION


SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

COVID-19 information for youth and families (both written and visual) a Comic exploring the Coronavirus

Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19” for caregivers talking to youth

Resources for Youth to Use Calming Strategies, Reflection, and Talking to Families (both English and Spanish)


Social-Emotional Learning activities – high school-age youth

Anxiety and COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html