Rhode Island Dream Center delivers hope and faith daily

Special to the Herald

The Rhode Island Dream Center is a 501c3 non-profit agency that focuses on helping Rhode Island individuals that are in need. They consist of five active outreach programs and are growing.

Presently, its focuses on food, clothing and living supplies for those in need, addiction meetings and referral help and other mentoring programs.

It also provides services that support building self -esteem and confidence, referrals for education, job opportunities, training and certification, etc., all within the homeless/low income community.

It does not deny services based on race, creed, gender, disability, religion, or national origin. Its goal is to help people in need, no matter how big or small that need is. Its members are part of the National Dream Center Network based in Los Angeles, CA.

The Dream Center Network now collectively consists of 84 Dream Centers around the world, including centers in 29 states and 8 different countries. With a vision to transform the world, each Dream Center strives to provide the help and resources necessary to individuals and communities in need.

"In the beginning, there was a group of volunteers who wanted to go into Downtown Providence and pray with people in need," said Toni Morse, treasurer of RI Dream Center.

They made sandwiches and coffee to people, and they provided clothing as they came out of the shelters early in the mornings.

This group still goes to Kennedy Plaza, rain or shine every Saturday to reach people who have no or little hope because of their situation(s)," said Morse.

They are known as The Early Seekers.

"We want them to know that God is their friend no matter who you are. Out of this commitment, friendships were born with volunteers and those whom lived on the streets or in shelters," Morse said.

In 2011, they realized they needed more structure and direction on how to identify and reach the larger community.

'A few of our members went to visit the LA Dream Center (the originators of the Dream Center program). They were in awae of everything accomplished to help the homeless and less fortunate, with shelter, medical, food, etc.," Morse said.

Upon returning to Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Dream Center was organized to focus on how to transform lives and give hope in the community.

Presently, there are 84 Dream Centers around the world, including centers in 29 states and eight different countries.

In the beginning they would deliver food in an old, beaten up truck to the homeless every night.

"Through the generosity of a donor, providing us with a new truck, we are now able to serve cold/hot meals with snacks to 600-800 individuals Monday-Sunday," said Morse.

The Women of Value program is for women who are less fortunate. They are bussed in from the shelters and are provided with lunch and given hair treatments (shampoo, color and cut). This provided them with a much needed confidence boost.

Recently, the RI Dream Center has also gone into the community to help renovate a playground in Washington Park, as well as the Beachmont Basketball court in Cranston.

"There is always a need for more volunteers and we welcome ideas to help others. One of our future goals is to obtain a Recovery House to aid those going through any type of addiction" said Morse.

With the goal of helping people to understand they do not need to stay where they are, but to get back up.

The Dream Center runs its food truck 360 days out of a 365 day year.

Coordinated by Warren Howard, volunteers meet at the Praise Tabernacle Church on Park Avenue in Cranston to assemble food bags every night.

"We are blessed to have wonderful food sponsors to support our efforts," said Howard.

Included in those sponsors are; Utz chips, Blount Soups, Stop & Shop, Sonia's Deli, Thirsty Beaver, and Calvitto's to name a few.

The truck goes out to Crossroads in Providence Monday-Friday evenings. Saturday, it is in Kennedy Plaza at 6:30 a.m., for the Early Seekers, on Wednesday evenings they are headed to the old Post Office in West Warwick and on Sundays they go to the Motel 6 on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick and back to Kennedy Plaza.

"We have a very well oiled machine working for us. There are three-five people working at the church in the kitchen packing the bags to go on the truck. There are three-five people actually on the truck itself. All the drivers and volunteers need a BCI," said Howard.

Howard noted that there has been a marked increase of people needing help.

"Our numbers are up about 20%. Definitely younger to middle aged people are needing assistance. Right now, we are servicing over a thousand people a week, and fifty-five thousand annually," he said.

On the rare occasion when there is too much food, they happily share the wealth.

"We give to other food pantries, the Providence Mission and Bridgemark. Nothing goes to waste," Howard said.

The RI Dream Center holds an annual BBQ for the homeless at Praise Tabernacle Church. They are given food, free haircuts and an opportunity to "shop" the clothes and accessories that have been donated.

In addition, there is also a Thanksgiving dinner they are invited to.

"We are expecting to serve well over 200 people this year," said Howard.

Due to several generous donations, a second food truck has been purchased, and will be ready to roll soon.

"AAA gave a $2,500 check towards the new truck, which helped us get over the finish line. We were able to raise $45,000 all through donations," Howard said.

Howard said his friend Diane works at AAA and was able to facilitate the donation. Another friend of Howard's; 

Mark was able to get a check from AMICA, for $1500.

"One very generous donor gave us $20,000 and we received several $15,000 (donations) from anonymous donors," said Howard.

One anonymous donor, was in Providence for business and has a room overlooking Kennedy Plaza where the food truck sits.

"This person watched the truck for a month. One morning, while walking her dog, she came upon a man wearing a three year sober shirt, and they engaged talking about their own year sobriety journey. They sent a check for $10k for the organization a few weeks later," said Howard.

The goal of the Dream Center at its core is people helping people.

"We helped a gentleman who moved to Texas, he needed clothes for an interview, and now, every year he now gives back. People who have been fed by us, now have come back as volunteers," he said.

The Dream Center board is made up of President, Allen Pangburn, Vice President, Charles Johnson, Treasurer, Toni Morse, Secretary, Sharon Cogean and Advisor David Marquard.

Currently there are over 80 volunteers devoting their time and energy to servicing communities throughout Rhode Island.

For more information on volunteering or donating, please get in contact at 401-396-2743, or on their Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/RIDreamCenter. Log in or sign up to viewSee posts, photos and more on Facebook. www.facebook.com