Official Announcement April 1, 2012

 

David W. Piccerelli, president and CEO of WSBE Rhode Island PBS, and Anne Nolan, president of Crossroads Rhode Island, today announced an important and unique expansion of the partnership between the two organizations. During the month of April, donations made to WSBE will be shared equally with Crossroads Rhode Island.

 

"With more Rhode Islanders facing homelessness through job loss and foreclosure, our initiative comes at a critical time," said Piccerelli. "This is the first time in the station's history that we've launched a campaign like this," he noted.

 

"We appreciate WSBE's generous support of our mission in this way," said Anne Nolan. "When Rhode Island families face the daunting challenges of homelessness and seek safe shelter, most turn first to Crossroads Rhode Island for the help they need. Just this past January, the number

of families coming to us for shelter has exploded by 111% compared to

last January."

 

Piccerelli explained that WSBE's past community outreach initiatives

have typically brought attention to issues and problems through

television productions and community forums. "But this initiative

represents a bold step in a new direction for us - actively raising

money for another non-profit while we raise money for the station." 

He emphasized that bold action is what it takes to match the enormity

of the problem of homelessness in Rhode Island.

 

The work at Crossroads came to the attention of WSBE through its use

of the GED Connection video series in the adult education and workforce

preparedness training at the Learning Center at Crossroads. GED Connection is a 39-part series that prepares candidates to take the five examinations, administered by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to earn a high school diploma.