The National Education Association Rhode Island is a union that is committed to improving the education of all young people in Rhode Island. There are 3.2 million teachers, coaches, counselors, aides, principals, superintendants, librarians and parents that are members of NEARI and since its inception in 1845 they have been at the forefront of every debate and struggle regarding education.
Saint Mark's Catholic Church has been the hub of Roman Catholic activities around Garden City since 1991. The church holds mass every weekday at 8am, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11am. The church also hears confessions on Saturdays at 3pm. The church has many programs and groups, including choir, decorating committee, youth and teen confirmation classes, golf committee and much more.
St. Davids On The Hill Episcopal Church, headed by Reverend Nancy Willis, has been located at 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway since 1921. Originally a mission of the All Saints' Memorial Church in Providence, St. David's finally became its own independent church in 1950. The church has many great educational programs and events that encourage friendship and Christian values for children and adults. St. David's also regularly organizes clothing drives, food banks and community clean-ups to help the people of Cranston. You can view a full list of events happening at the church at www.stdavidsonthehill.net/current-events.html.
The Presbyterian (USA) church is identified in Barrington most widely, perhaps, for its Japanese-modern style. Its sanctuary, function room and offices surround a garden courtyard on three sides. The entire structure harmonizes with the land around it. But the Rev. Patrick Notley and the small, family-oriented congregation describe themselves in a statement of purpose as a "gathering of God's people who are learning how to love one another and share our faith with others" and "to love and serve God joyfully and to love others as Christ has loved us." Check out its weekly blog, At the Table. A Senior Lunch Bunch gathers at noon on Tuesdays once a month.
The Church of the Annunciation is a Greek Orthodox Church located on 175 Oaklawn Ave. Formed in 1905 by Greek immigrants, the Church of the Annunciation was the very first Greek Orthodox parish in Rhode Island. There are many organizations and special programs at this church including a preschool, dance group, youth and adult choir, Sunday school, Greek language school, teen groups, Bible studies, ladies' societies, senior citizen groups and a library.
Saints John and Paul Catholic Church rests at the corner of Tiogue Avenue and South Main Street in Coventry, in front of a bustling intersection. The Roman Catholic parish, which serves worshipers in West Warwick, Coventry and Exeter-West Greenwich, is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Providence. There are six clergy members: Rev. Paul R. Grenon, Rev. Joseph P. Henry, Pastor Emeritus, Deacon Robert J.C. Persson, Pastor Deacon Robert J.C. Persson, Rev. John J. Duggan, Rev. Eddy E. Lopez-Bolanos, assistant pastor and Rev. Derek J. Puleo, assistant pastor. The church's office, located behind the main church building, houses a chapel where some services are held. The church also includes the Father John V. Doyle School, which is located next to the parish office.
The red brick building at the end of Watson Avenue houses a community of Discalced Carmelite nuns who have chosen to live their lives in simplicity, prayer and a pondering of Scripture. They work, study, read and undertake leisure activities alone and together as a community that pledges allegiance to Christ. A gift shop sells icons, cards, and books and tapes on Christian living. There is a guest quarters for silent retreats. The monastery is part of the Diocese of Providence.
Temple Habonim considers itself a regional center of Jewish life for Rhode Island's East Bay and adjacent Massachusetts towns. As the only established temple in this area, it serves as "a gathering place for social, educational, spiritual, and community activities." The 200-family congregation is bound together by Reform Jewish values. It serves Jews by birth or choice and interfaith families. Shabbat observances are held Friday night and Saturday morning. Among its outreach efforts are social action projects for all ages, teen programs, senior "Renaissance" activities and Sisterhood for women. An accredited religious school serves children from kindergarten through 10th grade and hosts a satellite preschool and after-school kindergarten program for the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island. Rabbi Andrew Klein provides the spiritual leadership.
The Church of the Apostles is an evangelical Anglican church located on Fairview Avenue in Coventry and is a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. The CCC is theologically conservative and believes in the autonomy of local churches. The denomination allows for differences among its member churches in some details of worship, though it is committed to basic Christian doctrine.
The church holds men's and women's bible studies, Sunday morning Christian education classes followed by brunch and Sunday evening worship and bible study. They also have a youth group and children's ministry.
The Knightsville Branch was once a storefront before it moved to its permanent home on Cranston Street in 1958. The library itself first opened in 1927.
This small library has all the basics covered and offers a surprising amount of depth in certain collections. The librarians recommend people with serious research needs head to the Central Library since the reference section at the Knightville branch is limited in size.
Like all the local branches in the Cranston library system, the Knightsville branch caters to the local neighborhood and has computers, Internet service, a children's section, movies and music.
The Arlington Reading Room is the smallest branch of the Cranston Public Library system, occupying a compact space on the first floor of the same building as Cranston Adult Day Services.
This library is heavily used by seniors and children. Although the size of the collection is limited due to space, books at other libraries can be delivered to the Arlington Reading Room speedily. The entire library system is fingertips away at this cozy branch.
Opportunities Unlimited is a nonprofit organization in Cranston specializing in teaching life skills, providing community housing and finding job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Call the number provided for more information.
Run by the Diocese of Providence, Rejoice In Hope Youth Center is a gathering place and community center for The Youth Ministry Institute, a training program for adults to learn to minister to the youth. The group is directed by Pat Kane and Reverend Timothy Lenlin and meets at Rejoice in Hope Youth Center almost every Thursday night. For the last 25 years, from September until the end of October, the Youth Center also converts to an attraction called the Haunted Labyrinth. A complete list of times the Haunted Labyrinth is open can be found on the website.
Immaculate Conception Church is a Cranston based religious institution offering regularly scheduled worship services, religious education courses, conversion services, baptisms, confirmations, performs marriages and more.
This is the main office for L.I.F.E. Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities. For more information about its programs, please visit the website.
This non-profit corporation has evolved from an adult education program to one that offers trips to local events and places, as well as overseas and supplemental learning experiences for all ages. Some of the areas in which classes are offered all year long are computer training, cooking, crafts, physical exercise, financial planning, and children's activities. Call to get your free brochure, enroll in classes, or offer your talents in teaching a skill.
Woodridge Congregational UCC is led by Rev. Charles Simonson, interim pastor. The church's mission is "to proclaim Christian faith by word and action throughout the world, to promote justice, to work and pray for peace, and to heal the wounds in our community through prayer and witness." This closely-knit church puts an emphasis on celebrating Christ through music.
TAP-IN is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that helps residents of Barrington, East Providence, Warren and Bristol meet their basic needs for food, household items, children's clothing, infant equipment, toys and books and transportation to medical appointments. Located in the lower level of the Barrington Public Library, it draws upon the skills and commitment of more than 100 volunteers, primarily from Barrington.
Founded in 1983 as an information referral agency, TAP-IN has expanded far beyond its original mission. It accepts donations of non-perishable food, furniture, clothing, food vouchers, gift cards and cash. You can find it on Facebook and its website is under construction.
