11 years of providing hope for homeless

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FLU SEASON: Pictured is Claudia Arroyave, R.N., BSN provided a Flu shot to Dennis Dutra during the 11th Annual Hope for the Homeless at Praise Tabernacle Church this past Saturday.

REGISTRATON: Pictured registering the homeless at the 11th Annual Hope for the Homeless at Praise Tabernacle Church are member of the RI Dream Center who organized the event. Picture are Jan Hay-Chartier (RI Dream Center Volunteer), Artie Russo (President, RI Dream Center) and Sharon Cogean (RI Dream Center Event Coordinator).

On Saturday, Nov. 4 people from all walks of life who are homeless or in need were bused from Kennedy Plaza in Providence to Praise Tabernacle Church in Cranston for the 11th Annual Hope for the Homeless event.

Hundreds of homeless individuals arrived at the church for food, informational vendors on where to seek help and, new this year, HIV testing, flu shots, lung age analysis and Hepatitis C testing.

The event was organized by the RI Dream Center, located in Cranston.

Vendors present included: AIDS Care Ocean State, Amos House, Mae Organization, Connecting Children for Families, Lifespan Community Health Institute, Neighborhood Healthplan of RI, Overcomers, Providence Community Health Center, RI Dept. of Health, RI Homeless Advocacy Project, RI Housing, RI Parent Information Network, RI Women’s Cancer Screening Program, Sanctuary Recovery Residences, Sojourner House, Inc., Thundermist, VA Clinic, Walgreens, Warwick House of Hope and Women’s Center of RI.

At each vendor booth, information on the various places to seek help was available to more than 100 people who attended.

Also available to those in attendance were free raffles and prizes.

This year marked the most vendors at the event since its beginning and coming up in November will be their Annual Thanksgiving for the Homeless on Nov. 19.