Children’s Friend Announces Renovation and Expansion of Friendship Center $1.25 Million Project Will Expand Facility That Serves 330 Children Daily
PROVIDENCE, RI – October 21, 2010 – Surrounded by students, parents, and friends
David Caprio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Friend, announced today
that it will embark on an exciting $1.25 million renovation and expansion of the Friendship
Center at 350 Point Street in Providence. Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts was
also on hand at the announcement.
Children’s Friend, a 176 year old non-profit organization that provides child welfare, family
support, mental health support, and child development services, has teamed up with Vision
3 architects to develop plans for this renovation and expansion.
A 1,500 square ft. addition will accommodate the lobby and a more secure waiting
room/reception area as well as additional meeting rooms. The renovations to the existing
building will include a sprinkler system, a new fire alarm system, private offices, record
room, additional bathrooms, new classroom doors, as well as doors between classrooms, an
expanded food prep area, and a general updating throughout. With the expansion and
upgrade projects, this facility will better serve local children and their families.
Children’s Friend provides a number of services to families and children in Rhode Island.
These services include: adoption; birth parent counseling; foster care; child care; family
counseling; early intervention; family support; nurse visits for new parents; intensive
home-based programs to keep families together; and professional development. Children’s
Friend is a provider of Early Head Start and Head Start Services promoting school readiness
for at risk children serving 1,260 children and their families in Providence and the
Blackstone Valley. Over 300 children receive Head Start services at the Friendship Center.
Construction is slated to begin in spring 2011, with the bulk of the work taking place over
the summer. The newly updated and expanded Friendship Center is expected to open in fall
2011, just in time for the start of classes.
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