A new transitional housing development in Central Falls will provide an affordable living space for at-risk women and children while providing opportunities for workforce and educational development.
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) — For the first time in Rhode Island, a primary care clinic is addressing the housing needs in its community.
“Central Falls is kind of unique because we don’t see that homelessness that’s on the street in the typical way that you would. It’s more hidden,” said Dr. Beata Nelken, the founder of Central Falls Children’s Foundation and Jenks Park Pediatrics.
However, Nelken knew it was an issue after families started disclosing their homelessness for the first time in her 24-year career.
“I knew it had to be boiling over at this point,” Nelken explained.
According to the 2023 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook, Central Falls reported that 70 children enrolled in public school during the 2021-2022 school year were homeless, with more than 10% living in extreme poverty. Nelken would hear stories of family after family on shelter waiting lists trying to make ends meet while taking care of kids.
“It was such a gut punch, and this remote issue of homelessness and housing crisis became very personal,” Nelken said. “If these people are coming to me and disclosing this, I knew below the surface there were hundreds more. Hundreds more.”
She took action, working with the city to buy a former senior assisted living facility off Broad Street and transforming it into the Jenks Park Residence within six months.
The 10,000-square-foot facility will be a temporary two-year home for 30 women with children under the age of 10. An affordable fixed rate will cover rent for a fully furnished apartment with utilities and a daily evening meal. The facility features a community kitchen, a library, a play area for children, and a computer lab for workforce development.
Residents will also be able to access women’s and children’s health care, as well as mental health services.
“We don’t want to give you a space where you’re just going to come, you’re gonna be here for a year or two until you find housing or until you get your feet, said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera. “It’s important to help them and motivate them.”
Papitto Opportunity Connection is providing each family with a $10,000 scholarship for job training, workforce development and other educational opportunities to help prepare them for their next job and life after leaving the housing program.
“Everything’s at your at your fingertips. Stability for two years while you grow, get that next skill level. Get that next job. Get that next financial independence in the apartment that you need and dream about and that stability for your family,” Nelken said. “It’s not just a crutch. It’s not just the band-aid approach. It’s not just feeding them today. It’s empowering them.”
Eligible families can submit an application to live at the Jenks Park Residence by going to either City Hall or Jenks Park Pediatrics. They’ve already received a handful of applications and are expecting the first residents to move in on May 1.