Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of Sojourner House of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Sojourner House was founded in 1976 by a group of Brown University students and community members concerned about what was then a silent epidemic: domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, Sojourner House has operated for 50 years, serving over 60,0 Rhode Islanders; and

WHEREAS, Domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking continue to affect individuals and families across Rhode Island, making the work of organizations like Sojourner House vital to the safety and well-being of our communities; and

WHEREAS, For fifty years, Sojourner House has been a leader in Rhode Island’s response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, helping tens of thousands of survivors and their families rebuild safe and stable lives; and

WHEREAS, Sojourner House today is based in Providence and Woonsocket, and serves communities across the state experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking, including survivors and their children, providing wraparound services such as support groups, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, sexual health advocacy, and emotional support; and

WHEREAS, Through collaboration and partnership statewide with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and key stakeholders in Rhode Island, Sojourner House works to develop solutions that work for promoting, advancing, and maintaining the safety and well-being of survivors; and

WHEREAS, Housing remains the number one barrier for individuals fleeing violence to find safety. Sojourner House has increasingly focused on housing solutions for Rhode Islanders experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking by developing a continuum of housing options, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. The organization has specifically focused on permanent housing options in recent years by purchasing and leasing 197 units statewide allowing for the most effective intervention for survivors and their families transitioning out of dangerous and violent situations; and

WHEREAS, Sojourner House has over 70 dedicated staff across 4 offices who are experts on providing trauma-informed support to survivors at every step of the process and are engaged community members that are grounded in the specified needs of survivors in Rhode Island communities; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating and recognizing the th Anniversary of Sojourner House during this legislative session highlights and honors the legacy and ongoing work of advancing support for domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking survivors in Rhode Island by providing effective housing solutions and trauma-informed wraparound services; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the th Anniversary of Sojourner House of Rhode Island and extends its gratitude and deep appreciation for five decades of service to survivors and families across Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Vanessa Volz, CEO of Sojourner House of Rhode Island.