Federal Hill House Association

Federal Hill House Association

Who are we?

The Federal Hill House Association (FHHA), is a private, non-profit 501c(3) agency that provides a variety of social services to a racially diverse urban community located in Providence, including victims of crime acts. Founded in 1887, its mission, "to promote the physical, social, and educational welfare of the residents of the Federal Hill House area" has remained constant. For more than 100 years we have an established record of service delivery. We are the only multi-purpose social service agency in the Federal Hill neighborhood. We provide services that stabilize families like emergency food, clothing and furniture referrals, crisis intervention, a Bundles of Joy Family Resource Center, and a Fathers Program, an early childhood learning center and after school programs as well as a senior meal site. We also sponsor the Foster Grandparent Program, an organization that provides seniors 60 years and older to serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers for children and youth. In addition, we also assist families and individuals to develop those skills that allow them to create meaningful, positive changes for themselves and their families by providing programs for GED, ESL, resume writing, computer training, culinary training, job search and a variety of other social, recreational and educational programs.

The cultural diversity of the population served is as varied as the programs that are offered by Federal Hill House. In 2000, the Providence Neighborhood Profiles concluded that 32.1 percent of the population was Hispanic, 46.9 percent was non-Hispanic White, 12.6 percent was non-Hispanic Black, and 3.6 percent was non-Hispanic Asian. The remaining 4.8 percent was non-Hispanic native Hawaiian, non-Hispanic claiming two or more races and non-Hispanic other.

What are the problem we face?

To better identify the scope and extent of the problem that is being addressed here, we sight the figures obtained from The Providence Neighborhood Fact Book identifying crime as the fourth most pressing concern of the residents of Federal Hill. In 2002, nearly 7,825 violent crimes per 100,000 people were reported in the city of Providence. This almost doubles the National 100,00 people figures.* (Violent crime is defined as murder, aggravated assault, robbery and rape). According to "Providence AreaConect", the crime statistics for Providence in 2002 shows that there were 12.98 murders, 61.53 forcible rapes, 310.45 robberies and 349.96 aggravated assaults per 100,000people. All these figures indictes Providence crime level worse than the national average. Based on these statistics, the need to provide services to innocent crime victims as soon as possible after the victimization is essential.

Between 1990 and 2000 there was 15.5 percent increase in the number of residents who called Federal Hill their home. Nearly six out of ten (58.7%) residents of Federal Hill are white, a decrease from 85.6 percent white in 1990. Hispanics represent 32.1 percent of the population and African Americans account for less than 15 percent of the population. As of 2001, more than 50% of all jobs were within the services sector, which is significantly higher than in other urban communities. Nevertheless, one in three persons living in Federal Hill was poor and one in four families were living below poverty. More than six out of ten children in Federal Hill were poor, the second highest child poverty rate recorded for neighborhoods in the city of Providence. The continuation of economic woes, lack of education and training, neighborhood decline (over the years the entire Federal Hill area has seen the effects of disinvestments, abandoned property and vacant lots) and other issues within the Federal Hill neighborhood have exacerbated the crime statistics in this area. This situation has spurred a number of community based organizations like the Federal Hill Association, the Community Policing Bureau, the Federal Hill Commerce Association and the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association to develop a greater awareness to counteract the issues of violent crime.

Our Action Plan?

One of the ways Federal Hill House counteracts the impact of violent crime is through VOCA funds to strengthen existing programs and support new projects and efforts to prevent revictimization and restore victims faith in the criminal justice system. FHH will partner with the following agencies to provide extended coverage of services that we are not able to provide; St. Joseph's, Sojourner House, Destiny House, Inc., Teen Institute of Rhode Island, the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, Try CAPS, URI, Daycare Justice Co-op, RI Indian Council, RIC Sherlock Center on Disabilities and Deoshore Haig.

Goal # 1: To provide immediate intervention to victims of crime in order to renew victims' sense of security and motivation to address circumstances of victimization.

Objectives:

• 1. Victims will be assisted in determining immediate needed contacts with law enforcement, human services, and financial assistance programs (i.e. Victims Compensation Program).
• 2. Victims will enjoy a renewed sense of physical safety and psychological well being.

Activities:

• 1. The client service manager will have physical contact with a referred victim within 24 hours of initial contact through an office or home visit.
• 2. Client service manager will create a client intake form for each victim within 24 hours of referral.
• 3. The client service manager will ensure that within 72 hours, reasonable security measures have been taken by the security coordinator.
• 4. Client service manager will assist clients to initiate needed immediate contacts with service providers.

Goal #2: To effectively establish a coordinated plan to address the long-term effects of victimization and prevent re-victimization.

Objectives:

• 1. Client will experience ongoing support in coping with the impact of victimization through creating and following through on his or her own case management plan with the assistance of the client service manager.
• 2. Client will experience ongoing coordinated system of services facilitated between partner agencies.

Activities:

• 1. A case management plan will be developed for each client with the assistance of the client service manager within 30 days after the referral.
• 2. The client service manager will make necessary referrals and follow up on success of referrals (i.e. when needed, referrals will be made to St. Joseph's medical services, VOCA mental health professionals, the social service department at Federal Hill House Association, Services for the Blind and Hearing Impaired).
• 3. The client service manager will meet with other departments and agencies to ensure coordination of services.
• 4. Clients will receive ongoing support from secured emergency phones, 24-hour hotline numbers, emergency shelter, clothes and food when needed.
• 5. Monthly meetings of the program support group will be offered to all clients.
• 6. The client service manager and mental health consultant will meet on a regular basis to discuss client progress and needs.

Goal#3: To provide a community education program to increase the ability of individuals to prevent victimization of themselves and others.

Objectives:

• 1. To increase community members understanding of the issues of violent crime, create awareness of possible victimization, and enable individuals to prevent future victimization.
• 2. To increase awareness of VOCA services in the community.
• 3. To increase the professional development of professionals providing direct services to victims of crime.

Activities:

• 1. Client service manager will organize workshops that provide information about the issues of victims and services available.
• 2. Client service manager and mental health professional will provide support groups that provide the opportunity for peer support, reduced isolation, improved self-esteem, identification of mental health issues, and education.
• 3. Client service manager and youth aide will provide a peer support/educational program for youth.

Goal#4: To reduce the potential for repeated victimization through improved cooperation with the criminal justice system.

Objectives:

• 1. Clients will benefit from an increased level of clarification about the function of the criminal justice system, and communications with law enforcement agencies.
• 2. Clients will experience reduced economic distress by receiving available compensation for violent crimes.

Activities:

• 1. The client service manager will schedule and participate in any meetings which involve the police, state and legal officials that affect the legal and financial rights of victims.
• 2. The client service manager will assist in preparing appropriate compensation paper work, obtaining legal assistance, and following through on behalf of victims throughout the legal process. Services to include paperwork, advocacy, transportation and education.
• 3. The client service manager will ensure that educational seminars include issues such as legal rights and victims' compensation.

For More Information Contact:
Dennis DeJesus, Executive Director
Federal Hill House Association
9 Courtland Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02909
Telephone: (401) 421-4722