Capital City Community Center

What is our purpose?

The purpose of  Capital City Community Center, formerly the Smith Hill Center's Victims Assistance Program is to uphold the rights of crime victims under the provisions and guidelines of Victims of Crime Act.

Our program is designed to meet the psychological, emotional and practical needs of victims through crisis counseling, out patient mental health referrals, case management, advocacy, support services and other relevant referrals. Support Services include food, clothing, utility assistance, household furnishings, transportation (including court escort) and security. These services hasten progress toward recovery and, in certain cases, prevent revictimization. They are crucial in that nearly all of our clients are low income.

Whenever possible, our program utilizes non VOCA funded resources such as FEMA and Feinstein monies, resources of other non profits (Family Service, the Women’s Center, other Providence community centers, and etc.) and the Rhode Island Donation Exchange (formerly the Neighborhood Furniture and Clothing Bank). However, these resources are limited. In many cases, the Victims Assistance Counselors (VAC) utilize private donors and volunteers to obtain food, clothing and furnishings for crime victims.

Additionally, the VACs coordinate with Rhode Island Justice Assistance, the Attorney General’s office, the Dept. of Children, Youth and Families, the Department of Elderly Affairs Abuse Unit, The Women’s Center, Family Service, Federal Hill House, the community policing unit, Providence Police Domestic Violence Unit, and other local agencies in the delivery of services to clients. The VAC’s ability to access crime reports from the Providence Police Department facilitates our outreach to victims.

Over the last several years our program has evolved into a two sphere model which includes an increasing demand from residents city wide for domestic violence services and a continued demand from Smith Hill residents for other types of crime. During the last year we have coordinated our effort with Federal Hill House to more effectively provide service to residents from other Providence neighborhoods.

The program serves persons from all ethnic groups with a majority from Latino, South East Asian, and African American. The program continues to outreach the community of color by utilizing staff and volunteers to translate and distribute flyers that explain our program and the services it offers. We strive to maintain bilingual/bicultural staff utilizing translators when needed.

We believe our proposed program is unique because we provide community based assistance to domestic violence victims residing throughout Providence, as well as to continue to assist victims of other types of crime in the Smith Hill neighborhood. Other types of crime include arson, robbery, assault, murder, elderly and child abuse. Our victims assistance program aids victims regardless of whether arrests have been made or perpetrators have been identified.

The benefits of this plan are efficient and just resolution of victim’s problem. We project over 4,000 hours of service to 325 crime victims. The program supported with an increased emphasis on the South East Asian and elderly crime victims. New staff employed as a result of this program focuses on persons who are multilingual, have experience with the senior population, and have worked in an urban setting.

Who are we?

The Capital City Community Center formerly the Smith Hill Center is a non-profit Providence based community social service agency. The agency has provided direct service to crime victims for ten (10) years. The program operates in an efficient, cost-effective manner providing comprehensive services with no federal financial support except for VOCA funds. It operates with community support and approval (see appendices for letters of support). The program utilizes volunteer interns and other community members to enhance the program’s effectiveness. The victims assistance program advocates on behalf of crime victims and coordinates significantly with other community agencies to address the needs of victims. There is no charge for the program with victims of all types of crime served on the same basis.

The Capital City Community Center is capable of meeting the financial match requirements of VOCA funding. The agency has an established client confidentiality policy/practice in conformity with standards set by the National Association for Social Workers.

Victims are regularly outreached and notified of the availability of compensation benefits through flyers and letters. Eligible victims are assisted in the application process as required by State law. The victim’s assistance counselor provides a broad spectrum of services including support services, personal advocacy, crisis counseling, mental health referrals, and protection against revictimization.

Where are we?

The Capital City Community Center is located in the Smith Hill neighborhood just north of downtown Providence bounded by Promenade Street, River Avenue and Admiral Street. The median annual income of this neighborhood is $21,000. The population is composed of various ethnic groups: Hispanic, Southeast Asian, Black, Swedish, Irish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian and Armenian.

For 50 years the Capital City Community Center formerly know as The Smith Hill Center has worked to meet the needs of the neighborhood population by providing emergency food and clothing housing assistance, day care, after school programs, a summer camp, a youth program, a substance abuse prevention program, a seniors program and casework counseling—among other services. It has outreached minorities via brochures, flyers and posters translated into Spanish and Laotian. We are not handicapped accessible, but casework staff performs home visits to those who cannot get to our offices.

During the last several years the agency has initiated several new programs outside of the Smith Hill neighborhood serving persons from the entire city (demographic statistics for Providence are enclosed in the appendixes. An analysis of these demographics show significant similarities to the Smith Hill neighborhood).

Smith Hill is a high crime area; twenty percent (20%) of the city’s total crimes occur here. Crimes have ranged from theft to drug trafficking, assault and murder. To offset this crime wave and its impact upon resident, the Capital City Community Center operates a victims assistance program. In addition, our youth center operates a juvenile delinquency and drug prevention program, which are also provided to the local elementary and middle school students.

What is our action plan?

Direct services for victims are provided by a team of four caseworkers who are reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural background of persons served. The counselors are trained in appropriate casework activities with an emphasis on systemic responses to victims needs.

The Associate Director of Community Programs and the Casework Supervisor provides direct supervision to the Victim’s assistance Counselor’s. The associate director also oversee preparation of all required financial and statistical reports, monitor program performance in terms of the goals and objectives.

The Executive Director functions as the authorized agent on behalf of the Capital City Community Center.

The Associate Director of Administration oversees and coordinate with the bookkeeper to prepare all required financial reports (including in-kind). They monitor and collect all fiscal materials/documentation.

The agency subcontracts for translation services and for mental health services (the mental health provider matches all funds expended for this service). Both of these subcontractors are certified and meet all applicable licensing/regulatory standards for their respective professions.

Volunteers of various ethnic groups are recruited to assist in outreach and provision of services to victims. The agency has staff committed to volunteer recruitment and has a long-standing relationship with Providence College, which provides student interns all levels of programming within the agency.

What is our challenge?

Since its inception, the Capital City Community Center's formerly know as Smith Hill Center’s Victims Assistance program has been providing community based services to crime victims residing in the Smith Hill neighborhood. We have helped victims of assault, robbery, rape, homicide, child and elderly abuse, gang violence and stalking.

However, since 50% of our caseload consists of domestic violence victims and since there are a large number of such as cases reported throughout Providence, we believe there is a need to expand our services to help domestic violence victims city wide. With increasing referrals from the Providence Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit and continued community level referrals from other providers, it has become evident that our present staffing capacity needs to be increased to meet this growing demand for domestic violence assistance and to maintain our commitment to victims residing in the Smith Hill neighborhood.

In the past year, approximately 600 domestic assaults have been reported to the Providence Police. While shelters provide safe haven and services for those able and willing to See their homes, there is a need for assistance to victims who remain in the community. Many victims are either unwilling or unable to leave a violent situation, or may be trying to flee from a perpetrator by moving to a new address. Some victims are not aware that they are domestic violence victims or may not know what they can do to stop the violence. Still others have already obtained restraining orders, only to see the orders repeatedly violated by the defendant. Such victims are often confused about what to do.

The domestic violence victims face complex array of social, environmental, and psychological problems that need to be addressed on a community level. Community based services need to include the following: 1) direct outreach to victims as soon as possible after the assault or threat of assailed has occurred, 2) educating the victim on domestic violence issues, 3) emotional and practical support to the victim as the victim prepares to take steps to end the violence, and 4) follow up contact to assure the victim’s stability and safety.

Domestic violence victims often need educating on the dynamics of spatial abuse and the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Victims also need to be apprised of options and legal rights. Such advocacy/education, along with court escort services, is important for those who feel there is no way out of their situation, and it is crucial for preventing revictimization.

In terms of practical support, victims often need help with relocation, food, clothing, furniture, utility assistance, or referral to a shelter if they choose to go to one. Emergency support services go a long way toward relieving the trauma of victimization, and they open the door for counseling which can contribute to the victim’s recovery process.

Besides domestic violence, a survey of the types of crime victimization in the Smith Hill area reveals consistent pattern of cases:

*Burglary of homes and larceny constitute the majority of crimes reported to police. Victims often are often low-income, single heads of household who, as a result of these crimes, are unable to make their rent payments on time or buy food for their families. In some instances physical assault on the victim accompanies robbery.

*Burglary and robbery victims need assistance in coping with the tangible as well as emotional problems brought about by these crimes. Just resolution of their cases involves allowing them to feel secure in their homes; helping them to recover stolen documents that are often costly, such as driver’s license, birth certificates and other forms of identification; and helping them get back on their feet financially through emergency support services.

*Homicide occasionally occurs, leaving surviving victims who are, in addition to their shock and grief faced with financial hardship.

*Stalking, harassment, annoying and threatening phone calls are also quite common. Victims feel isolated and helpless and are in need of reassurance support.

*Gang violence is frequently reported and is a complex problem as victims fear reprisal if they cooperate with authorities.

*Elderly abuse constitutes the greatest challenge for counselors. Victims often deny or try to cover up abuse in order to protect the perpetrator who is his or her care giver. Frail elderly clients often fear that separation results in nursing home placement. Gaining the trust of these clients through practical and emotional support is a major aspect of casework.

**Also, case-management with elderly clients often entails helping them get through legal and financial red tape.

The Capital City Community Center’s Victims Assistance program is prepared to continue to provide a variety of services to meet the immediate needs of these victims who reside within the Smith Hill neighborhood. And at the same time continue to expand our domestic violence services on a city wide level.

In addition to providing crisis intervention, support services, case-management, information, referral and advocacy for victims, there is a need to increase community involvement in victims assistance. Neighborhood volunteers are needed to provide translation for a multi-ethnic community inhabited by many new immigrants. They are also needed to help provide direct services to alleviate some of the problems victims face. Such involvement offers the added benefit of restoring the victims’ faith in the community.

Finally, there is a need to continue the relationship between the Capital City Community Center’s Victims Assistance program and the Providence Police Department. We are pleased that a community police officer continues to be located inside our building. This allows for ongoing dialogue between the victim’s assistant and this officer about crime victim’s needs. This also insures that immediate victim contact is made and casework can begin when it is most needed by victims. During the last year our counselor’s have significantly increased our relationship with the city’s domestic violence unit which has resulted in increased referrals for domestic violence crimes and provided a more coordinated community response mechanism for victims to access. This program response to domestic violence has also been enhanced through increased coordination with the Federal Hill House’s victims counselors and has enabled both agencies to better serve city residents at the neighborhood level.

GOALS:

In order to assure effective delivery of services to clients, the Capital City Community Center’s Victims Assistance program has set forth the following goals and objectives:

*To assist 190 domestic violence victims residing throughout parts of the City of Providence as well as 135 victims of crime residing in the Smith Hill neighborhood through provision of the following services: Crisis intervention, education, case-management, advocacy, support services, information and referral, and the coordination of public and private resources. Total number of victims served: 325

*To provide direct services to victims in order to resolve the practical problems of victimization. Direct services include repair of broken locks, boarding of windows and doors, repair of vandalism, provision of food, and clothing. For domestic violence victims services also include assistance in relocating or providing post relocation (Example: assistance obtaining a new apartment, furniture and financial aid, enrollment of children in new schools and medical clinics).

*To offer victims court-related services, legal referral and assistance with victim compensation benefits.

*To continue to establish a core of volunteers to assist in translation with Southeast Asian client victims. To further utilize volunteers to assist in arson cases.

*To continue coordination with the community policing unit to resolve victim cases.

*To continue to cultivate a working relationship with the domestic violence unit.

*To increase the number of elderly who participate in the program.

*To increase access to mental health services particularly for those who are uninsured.

Methods

In April, 1996 the community police officer assigned to the Smith Hill neighborhood established his office in Capital City Community Center. This development has enabled the victims assistance counselors to closely coordinate with the officer in resolving victims problems. The Victim Assistance Counselors continue to receive crime reports directly from the Providence Police Department computer and contact victims by letter. The counselors also continue to develop our relationship with the domestic violence unit and coordinate between the community policing officer and the domestic abuse personnel.

The Victims Assistance Counselors also identify crime victims through cooperative arrangements with the area hospitals, community agencies, the neighborhood crime watch groups and outreach to residents. Flyers translated into Spanish, Laotian, Cambodian, Homng, Russian, Armenian and Portuguese languages are distributed to residents throughout Smith Hill and the city of Providence. Victims are apprised of their right to and the availability of crisis intervention and education, referral to legal and other services, court escort and court-related services, personal advocacy and direct services, as well as victims compensation benefits, if applicable.

The program continues to utilize whatever community resources are available at no cost to the program. Clients are referred to Rhode Island Legal Services, the Domestic Violence Coalition, Family Service for mental health services (including services for the uninsured), Providence Center for Psychiatric Services, Rhode Island Donation Exchange, local shelters, emergency medical facilities and agencies offering emergency financial assistance over and above what the Capital City Community Ceneter can offer.

To assure community based services to domestic violence victims, the victims assistance program has secured the cooperation of community centers throughout Providence to use space in their facilities to meet with victims. This enables victims to receive services in their own neighborhood.

Elderly abuse cases are coordinated with the Capital City Community Center’s Seniors Casework staff and the Department of Elderly Affairs Abuse Unit. Cases involving juvenile gangs are coordinated with the Youth Center Director, the Rogers Recreation Center, the Providence Gang unit, and the community police office.

Volunteers are recruited to help provide direct services to clients such as repairs, chores and errands. Community volunteers also are recruited to help with outreach and translation.

Finally, the Victims Assistance Counselors attend workshops and conference that provide updated information on VOCA provisions and programs as well as training seminars that assist them in working more effectively with victims. In particular all victims counselors are required to successfully complete a case management credentialing program (this is offered through Salve Regina and Rhode Island College).

The counselors continue to provide services for victims of all types of crime to residents of the Wanskuck, Charles Elmhurst, Mt. Pleasant, Valley, and Smith Hill neighborhoods. Services to include domestic violence counseling city wide are coordinated with the Federal Hill House victim counselors. This includes coverage for the remainder of the city.

To insure proper program management, Victims Assistance data and records are kept separate from casework files and separate reports are generated. The associate director of community programs and the casework supervisor oversees the accomplishment of the program objectives and reviews reports to RIJC. Secretarial time toward direct services consists of typing letters to victims, advocacy correspondence, answering phone calls, and receiving clients. The associate director of administration and the bookkeeper manage direct service funds for victims.

The counselors are responsible for developing a client caseload, maintaining casework files and compiling monthly reports outlining the number and types of clients served, the types of crime victimization and the types of services provided. These monthly reports are used to compile the Annual Report to the Rhode Island Justice Commission.

History of Existing Program and Quality of Key Personnel

The Capital City Community Center’s Victims Assistance Program has been operating for ten (10) years under the Rhode Island Justice Commission funding and is presently serving an average of 239 clients per year.

The program has expanded its service base continuously throughout this period and serves an increasing number of domestic violence victims throughout the city of Providence. Additionally, the program continues to provide extensive services to residents of the Smith Hill neighborhood who have been victims of crime.

The key personnel on this project have demonstrated, considerable experience in multiple aspects of the human service delivery system. The agency’s associate director of community programs, the person responsible for the overall administration of program implementation, has more than ten (10) years experience with community based human service programs, the last six (6) years in a supervisory/director capacity. These areas of experience included mental health, social services, program design/implementation, and considerable resource development.

The Victims Assistance Counselors are integrated with the agency’s casework department. The supervisor of casework service serves as the main contact person to VOCA. The supervisor oversees all VACs and is the contact to the VOCA service partners (Providence Police, Women’s Center, Family Service, Federal Hill House, and neighborhood community centers/other relevant partners). The supervisor has a bachelor degree in social work (May 1999), extensive experience in the human service field, and has functioned as a VAC during the last year (the supervisor is also fluent in Spanish).

The other VACs also have formal training in social work services and considerable work experience. The VACs reflects diverse ethnic and cultural experiences and contributes significantly to the agency’s ability to carry out program objectives.

Through its experience and increased knowledge, the Capital City Community Center has been able to broaden its outreach to the community and the scope of services offered to Smith Hill crime victims. We believe that through this program we can continue to offer quality service to the Smith Hill community and to domestic violence victims throughout Providence.

Supplemental & Future Funding

Area businesses and churches continue to provide funds to the program for direct services to clients; i.e., food and clothing. We continue to explore funding alternatives for other portions of this program.

Recent initiatives have included in-kind mental health services from Family Service, increased monies for energy assistance and other basic needs, and further integration with existing program staff positions to create a more comprehensive delivery model.

How we measure ourselves?

The progress of our efforts are measured primarily by the number and types of clients serviced, the types of crime victimization and the number and types of services offered to victims, as well as client follow-up evaluation for stabilization within the 90 day period. Secondary measurements are the number of community volunteers to aid victims.

Monthly statistical and narrative reports are compiled to monitor the achievement of stated goals and objectives. These monthly reports are the basis for the project’s final report.