Unfortunately,the budget impasse continues in Warwick. The Warwick Mentor Program remains unfunded and there are no indications of a quick fix on the horizon. Our fundraising campaign has raised just over $15,000 of the $102,000 that was cut. Needless to say, it’s been a really difficult few months financially for us. We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far!
As you know, we chose to launch the program for our existing mentors and mentees on schedule… How could we tell 160 kids they aren’t a priority? We are, however, unable to provide the full compliment of services without funding. So far that has meant not adding any new mentors to Warwick (to date we’ve directed about a dozen volunteers interested in mentoring in Warwick to other programs in neighboring communities).
And now active mentoring pairs will start to feel the pinch of our budget constraints. Sadly, we are unable to organize Holiday Parties this year due to the enormous time it takes to coordinate them at every single Warwick elementary and middle school. Mentors and mentees are welcome to celebrate the holidays in their own special ways (a special treat, an exchange of small inexpensive gifts, etc.) during their individual mentoring sessions prior to the holiday break.
We appreciate your support and will continue to keep you up to date on the status of the budget issue in Warwick as well as opportunities to advocate for the restoration of funding to the Mayor, City Council and School Committee.
Please continue to reach out to our elected officials to express your thoughts:
School Committee members
Bethany Furtado, Chair – 401-737-2354, bethany.furtado@warwickschools.org
Eugene Nadeau – 401-463-8742, eugene.nadeau@warwickschools.org
Karen Bachus – 401-732-3757, karen.bachus@warwickschools.org
Terri Medeiros – terri.medeiros@warwickschools.org
David Testa – 401-626-1084, david.testa@warwickschools.org
City Council members
Richard Corley – 401-481-5436, rkcorley@corleyassociates.com
Jeremy Rix – 401-263-5559, rixforwarwick@gmail.com
Timothy Howe – 401-215-0632, Howe.Ward3@gmail.com
Edgar Ladouceur – 401-447-7181, ed.ladouceurri@yahoo.com
Donna M. Travis – 401-738-9774, Donna.M.Travis@warwickri.com
Stephen P. MacAllister – 401-287-1813, smcallister4@gmail.com
Joseph Gallucci – 401-487-6224, joegallucciward8@cox.net
Steve Merolla, Council President – 401-739-2900 x306, smerolla@merollalaw.com
Mayor Joe Solomon – 401-738-2004, mayorsoffice@warwickri.com
10-25-2018 School absences, test scores stand out in child data report Warwick Beacon
10-25-2018 Mayor rallies PTA support for $40M school bond Warwick Beacon
9-18-2018 It was mesmerizing Warwick Beacon
9-13-2018 Schools present audit to City Council on Monday Warwick Beacon
9-06-2018 Local non-profit honors graduates of nonviolence program WPRI 12
8-30-2018 Mentor RI appeals to supporters Warwick Beacon
8-30-2018 Audit reports that schools need $4M from city Warwick Beacon
8-22-2018 Summit aims to dissect chronic absenteeism in Providence schools Providence Journal
8-21-2018 Council, schools poised for tense September meeting Warwick Beacon
8-16-2018 Still no funds for mentors, 15 custodians Warwick Beacon
8-15-2018 Warwick school mentors fight for program ousted from budget ABC 6
8-14-2018 Warwick community comes together to try and save mentor program WPRI 12
8-14-2018 Schools, city due to meet again in September Warwick Beacon
8-09-2018 A community night out Warwick Beacon
8-07-2018 City offers $1.75M more to schools, but large gap remains Warwick Beacon
7-26-2018 Loss of mentor program sends shock waves Warwick Beacon
7-19-2018 With no alternatives, schools balance budget on backs of salaries, programs Warwick Beacon
7-19-2018 Warwick school board cuts mentoring program to save $102,000 Providence Journal
7-19-2018 Warwick School Committee Votes to Eliminate Mentor Program Go Local Prov
7-17-2018 A boost for mentoring Warwick Beacon
7-14-2018 Dancing with the Stars raises $116K for Mentor RI Cranston Herald
6-14-2018 Dancing with the Stars raises $116K for Mentor RI Warwick Beacon
5-31-2018 Avedisian to launch charitable foundation Warwick Beacon
5-9-2018 This I Believe Rhode Island: Mentoring Rhode Island Public Radio
5-3-2018 Service Above Self Warwick Beacon
4-29-2018 Dance competition nets 115k for Mentor RI WJAR NBC-10
4-19-2018 Dancing stars ready to eclipse records Warwick Beacon
3-22-2018 Johnson & Wales students help in Mentor RI re-branding Warwick Beacon
2-3-2018 Rhode Islanders take winter plunge East Greenwich Pendulum
1-30-2018 20 raise $6,000 with plunge Warwick Beacon
1-12-2018 Frozen Clam Dip and Obstaplunge raises $6K for Mentor Providence Business News
1-11-2018 New digs enable MENTOR RI to meet mission Warwick Beacon
1-5-2018 Tradition continues in EG, despite bitter cold East Greenwich Pendulum
1-5-2018 Bitter temps put the freeze on local plunges Narragansett Times
1-3-2018 Running, not diving, into 2018 Cranston Herald
1-3-2018 Running, not diving, into 2018 Warwick Beacon
1-1-2018 Mother Nature keeps most R.I. polar plunges out of the water Providence Journal
12-21-2017 Mentor happening at Barnes & Noble Warwick Beacon
11-30-2017 Different approaches to #GivingTuesday make for fruitful day Warwick Beacon
09-19-2017 Even the publisher can be surprised by the Beacon Warwick Beacon
09-19-2017 Howell tribute raises $52K for MENTOR Rhode Island Warwick Beacon
08-04-17 Planka Awarded for Mentor Work PBN
07-20-17 Jay Heimgartner Forty Under 40 Profile PBN
07-20-17 A majority for mentoring _ Warwick Beacon
07-16-17 Forty Under 40 Winners Chosen PBN
07-11-17 Not a happy tune _ Warwick Beacon
05-11-17 Partnership changes name to MENTOR Rhode Island _ Warwick Beacon
05-11-17 MENTOR Rhode Island seeks scholarship applications _ Warwick Beacon
05-04-17 RhodyLife Dancing Front Page
05-04-17 RhodyLife Dancing Page 2
05-04-17 Shining Stars _ Warwick Beacon
04-06-17 Warwick Beacon: Stars ready to ‘cut a rug for mentoring’
01-05-17 Warwick Beacon: Obstacles were prelude to a nippy dip
MENTOR RI Launches Warwick Mentor Program Despite Cuts
MENTOR Rhode Island Cuts Ribbon on New HQ
Frozen Clam Obstaplunge Raises $6K for Mentoring
RIMP Becomes MENTOR Rhode Island
Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring Raises $91,000
11-01-18 Updates! Updates! Updates!
10-01-18 UPDATE_ Agenda Change Means You’re Off the Hook for Tonight’s City Council Meeting!
09-27-18 Your Support is Key! We Need You MONDAY at the Warwick City Council Meeting!
09-25-18 Calling all WARWICK MENTORS!!! Join Us at TONIGHT’S School Committee Meeting!
09-17-18 URGENT UPDATE_ Agenda Change for TONIGHT’S Warwick City Council Meeting!
09-17-18 We Need You TONIGHT at the Warwick City Council Meeting!
09-12-18 A Primary Day Rallying Cry! Save the Date…Monday, Sept. 17th Warwick City Council Meeting
09-11-18 We Will Never Forget…
09-06-18 Rallying Cry! Save the Date…Monday, Sept. 17th Warwick City Council Meeting
08-30-18 Help Save the Warwick Mentor Program!
08-15-18 Join Us TONIGHT at the Warwick City Council Meeting!
08-14-18 Join Us TONIGHT at the Warwick School Committee Meeting!
08-06-18 UPDATE! Save the Warwick Mentor Program!
08-06-18 Save the Warwick Mentor Program!
07-19-18 Devastating loss of funding for Warwick Mentor Program
06-14-18 Introducing…Community Share!
05-22-18 Last Call to Join Us This Saturday for Mentoring Night at McCoy!!!
05-16-18 Scholarships Available for RI Mentees!
05-10-18 Introducing…Community Share!
05-08-18 Thanks to You. Dancing with the Stars 2018 is a Huge Success!!!
05-07-18 Join Us for Mentoring Night at McCoy!!!
04-17-18 Just ONE Day Left to Reserve Your Seat – Don’t Miss Out! Dancing 2018!
04-11-18 Meet the Dancers – Volume 4!!!
04-04-18 Meet the Dancers – Volume 3!!!
03-28-18 Meet the Dancers – Volume 2!!!
03-21-18 Meet the Dancers – Volume 1!!!
03-03-18 Are You Ready for Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring 2018
02-01-18 National Mentoring Month Highlights!!!
01-25-18 It’s #ThankYourMentor Day!!!
01-10-18 Celebrate National Mentoring Month!!!
01-01-18 ALERT_ Plunge Postponed! Obstacle Course Still ON!!!
12-31-17 The Clam Must Go On! REGISTER TODAY!
12-29-17 The 2018 Frozen Clam Dip & Obstaplunge is Monday! REGISTER TODAY!
12-27-17 The 2018 Frozen Clam Dip & Obstaplunge is almost here! REGISTER TODAY!
12-20-17 Register Today for the 2018 Frozen Clam Dip & Obstaplunge!
12-18-17 Missed the MENTOR RI Bookfair Saturday_ There’s Still a Chance to Support Youth Mentoring!
12-13-17 Shop at Barnes & Noble and Support MENTOR Rhode Island
12-11-17 Shop at Barnes & Noble and Support MENTOR Rhode Island
12-07-17 Register Today for the 2018 Frozen Clam Dip & Obstaplunge!
11-27-17 It’s Cyber Monday! Shop and Support MENTOR Rhode Island!
11-20-17 Support Childhood Literacy
11-16-17 Coming Attractions!!!
09-15-17 A Story for the Front Page! Howell Evening Tribute is a HUGE Success!
09-12-17 Eat! Drink! Celebrate John Howell!
09-11-17 We Will Never Forget.
06-25-17 School’s Out For SUMMER!!!
06-18-17 John Howell Tribute Event!!! SAVE THE DATE!!!
05-10-17 Scholarships Available for RI Mentees!
05-07-17 We’ve Got a New Name_ Mentor Rhode Island!
05-01-17 The Results are In!!!
04-23-17 Meet the Dancers Episode Four!!!
04-18-17 Meet the Dancers Episode Three!!!
04-09-17 Meet the Dancers Episode Two!!!
04-02-17 Meet the Dancers Episode One!!!
03-16-17 Mentoring Night at McCoy!!!
03-09-17 Introducing Our 2017 Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring _Celebrity_ Dancers