This document outlines organizations and services that provide support to those experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island. It maps the network of shelters, soup kitchens, and advocacy groups in Providence. Key points include that the Crossroads shelter will not deny access based on lack of ID and what to expect if staying at the shelter or eating at meal sites. The document also discusses developing an affordable waterproof pack system for those experiencing homelessness that could create job opportunities. A proposed business model involves using scrap materials, local manufacturing, and microloans to produce the packs.

1. hOMELESSNESS
Office of Homelessness TOP DOWN
Crossroads
in RHODE ISLAND Housing Resources Commission First Step
The Urban League of RI
Rhode Island Coaltion 208 Prairie Ave
for the Homeless
Mcauley House
Mathewson Street United
Methodist Church
Harrington Hall
INDIRECT The Overflow DIRECT
SERVICES SERVICES
Providence Intown Churches Association
Amos House
Providence Rescue Mission
St. Johns Meal Site
Housing Opportunities
for People Eveywhere Hypotermia Sanctuary
Homeless Peoples Action Committee
Street Sights GRASS ROOTS John Joyce

2. STREET SIGHTS
Working under Stan and other homeless individuals devel-
oping a calendar the features creative writing from people
who are experiencing homelessness in Providence.
Several interviews with Elisabeth Ochs at R.I. Coalition for
the Homeless gave me valuable information and con-
nected me with the other homeless advocacy groups.
KEY POINTS
-Go to the shelters
-Eat at the soup kitchen.
-Talk to John Joyce HPAC

3. partnerships with
HPAC + HOPE
ST JOHNS MEAL SITE
-Founded, Organized, and Run by HPAC headed
by John Joyce
-HPAC are all homeless individuals and spend
their days doing outreach for other homeless in
Providence.
-John has been my main advisor for insights into
the homeless lifestyle.
-HOPE headed by Megan works collaboratively
with HPAC

4. FIELD rESEARCH
-Meet the community
-Hang out
-Eat at the soup kitchen
-Spend an evening at the
shelter
-Share your experiences
-Learn about others
-Observe
-Listen

5. Insights from
the community
-Not having an id is the only factor that would
deny you acess to Crossroads Shelter. If the beds
are full you sleep on the floor.
-After 911 it is against the law for shelters to pro-
vide storage.
-You Have to be out by 9 am and checked back in
by 5 pm.
-You have to carry your possessions with you
throughout the day.
-Many choose not to stay at the shelters because it
is “degrading”
-If it’s raining you and the contents of your packs
will get wet.
-Between 5 different meal sites in Providence you
can eat three meals a day most days of the week.

6. Opportunity
For Ingenuity
Develop a pack system with people
experiencing homelessness that can
make the homeless experience less
difficult. The product must be afford-
able and could create job opportuni-
ties.

7. How could your pack
be better?
-Water Proof
-Light weight
-Durrable (over packed)
-No weak zippers
-Ability to Add on
-Tall and thin for public
transportation
-Potential protection from
weather

8. scrap material
RESEARCH + testing
-Local Material Scrap
-Local Manufacturing Cut-off
-Single Use Packageing
-Second life

9. bUSINESS MODEL
$3x
Currently Homeless Micro Loan for
Entrepreneurs Production Tools
(Sewing Machine)
Sold by Local Social
Local Scrap/Excess Business Venture Production of $1x
Responsible Retail at
Materials Product
$5x over production cost
Product Manual
$1x
and Training
Social Responsible
Product Idea
Subsidized Product
for Homeless Individuals

10. thought process

11. Basic Structure
Prototype 3/4 scale
In this Prototype
-$1.50 of Material
-2 hrs labor