A service remembering homeless people who died in Rhode Island in 2012. Photo courtesy of Diocese of Providence
By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
On a day when temperatures plummeted to single digits, 17 'warming centers' were opened across Rhode Island, and advocates for the homeless remembered more than 30 homeless people who died on the streets over the past year.
About 100 homeless people and about an equal number of supporters gathered at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul for the annual Homeless Memorial Service and Luncheon, sponsored by the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. As a brass ensemble played softly, names of 32 people who are known to have died over the past year were read aloud by family members or friends.
"There are so many people for whom this type of memorial was not held when they passed away, far too many," said Jim Ryczek, Coalition Executive Director. Former Rhode Island Poet Laureate Lisa Starr noted however, that about 12 more names had come to light since the list was drafted.
Ryczek said the administration of Gov. Lincoln Chafee was responding to calls to help the homeless.
"I sent a letter directly to Governor Chafee's office this morning, citing the weather and the emergency nature of how many people that we know are living outside in the state. So, there has been a response, they are working with us to try and figure out how we can provide some warming centers across the state in places in need where people may need to get inside tonight and can't live outside due to threat of injury or death," Ryczek said.
According to the Rhode Island Emergency Management agency, the following warming centers have been opened:
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- Charlestown: Town Hall; 4540 S. County Trail; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Charlestown: Police Community Room; 4901 Old Post Rd.; Wed. – Sat., 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Charlestown: Senior Center; 100 Park Lane; Wed./Thurs., 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m. – noon
- Coventry: Senior Center; 50 Wood St.; Wed. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Cranston: Senior Center; 1070 Cranston St.; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- East Greenwich: Swift Community Center; 121 Pierce St.; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- *East Providence: Weaver Library; 41 Grove Ave.; Wed./Thurs., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- *East Providence: Riverside Library; 475 Bullocks Point Ave.; Wed./Thurs., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Exeter: Public Library; 773 Ten Rod Rd.; Wed./Thurs., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- *Johnston: Senior Center; 1291 Hartford Ave.; Thurs. – Sat., 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- *Lincoln: Senior Center; 150 Jenckes Hill Rd.; Thurs./Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- *Middletown: Library; 700 W. Main Rd.; Wed./Thurs., 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- *Middletown: Senior Center; 650 Green End Ave.; Thurs./Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- *Middletown: Town Hall; 350 E. Main Rd.; Thurs./Fri., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- North Kingstown: Senior Center; 44 Beach St; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- North Kingstown: Town Library; Boone Street; Wed./Thurs., 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Pawtucket: Mathieu Senior Center; 420 Main St.; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- *Pawtucket: St. Germain Manor Community Room; 475 Mineral Spring Ave.; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- *Pawtucket: Visitor Center; 175 Main St.; Thurs. – Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- *Pawtucket: Library; 13 Summer St.; Wed./Thurs., 9 a.m. – 8:45 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Portsmouth: Senior Center; 110 Bristol Ferry Rd.; Wed. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- South Kingstown: The Center; 25 St. Domenic Rd.; Wed. – Fri., 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- South Kingstown: Neighborhood Guild; 325 Columbia St.; Wed. – Fri, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- South Kingstown: Peace Dale Library; 1057 Kingstown Rd.; Wed./Thurs., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- South Kingstown: Kingston Free Library; 2605 Kingstown Rd.; Wed., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Thurs., Noon – 8 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- South Kingstown: Hale Library, 2601 Comm. Perry Highway; Wed. – Fri., 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Warwick: Pilgrim Senior Center; 27 Pilgrim Parkway; Wed. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- *Woonsocket: Senior Center; Social Street; Thurs./Fri., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The EMA aslo issued the following information to stay safe during extreme cold:
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- Dress warmly, and in layers, even if you are just making a short trip to the mailbox. If you fall or a door locks behind you, you could be exposed for a longer period of time than you planned.
- Dress warmly even when you are inside—especially if you do not move a lot.
- The temperature inside your home should be set according to your own activity level, health, and medications. What is an acceptable, fuel-saving temperature for an active family may not be safe for an older person who has difficulty moving or takes certain medications.
- The elderly are especially susceptible to extremely cold temperatures. Check on elderly friends, family, or neighbors frequently.
- Remove clothing if it gets damp or wet. Wet clothing can make you more prone to hypothermia.
- Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Symptoms of frostbite can include loss of feeling and loss of color and usually happens on the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Symptoms of hypothermia in adults can include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, drowsiness, or slurred speech. In infants, symptoms of hypothermia can include bright red, cold skin and low energy.
- Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol lowers the body’s ability to retain heat.
- Make sure your car is ready for the extreme weather conditions. Get your vehicle winterized and make sure tires are in good condition. Check your car emergency kit and replace any items that are broken or are unsafe to use.
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Call 511 or visit www.tmc.dot.ri.gov for current road conditions.
