Tagged: homeless

A housing facility for disabled veterans will be dedicated Tuesday afternoon to a fallen Rhode Island Marine.

Seven years ago today, Marine Sgt. Brian St. Germain was riding in a truck across Iraq when it rolled over in a flash flood. The Rhode Island chapter of Operation Stand Down is honoring St. Germain’s life and service, by putting his name on its West Warwick facility for homeless and disabled veterans.

Operation Stand Down’s Tony DeQuattro says this is part of a push that started two years ago to rename all of their facilities after fallen troops. 

As Rhode Island servicemen and women return from the front lines, state officials are searching for better ways to make sure they have the jobs, education and the health services they need to integrate back into civilian life. A new report out of the state senate urges the state to do a better job connecting veterans with jobs and services.

The state counts more than 70,000 veterans living in Rhode Island, and unemployment numbers show they have a higher rate of joblessness than their civilian counterparts.  

We’re about to get a slight break from the Arctic cold we’ve been enduring.  Until then, Rhode Island area shelters are bursting at the seams as the homeless seek shelter from single digit temperatures. 

A service was held in Providence Wednesday to honor all the homeless people who died in 2012.
The service was held at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The names of 44 individuals were read and candles were lit in their memory.  A 45th candle was also illuminated in case they missed anyone.