Advocating for the homeless since 2002.
The Helen Hudson Foundation is dedicated to using the power of story to help end homelessness in America. After a decade of raising money for those who are less fortunate, we became an official not-for-profit 501c3 in 2013. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the Foundation continues the legacy of celebrated author, Helen Hudson, whose life and work exhibited a relentless activism: telling the stories that few were willing to tell; providing a platform to those who did not have the power or position to speak. It is founded on two core beliefs:
1) homelessness is a moral outrage that should not be tolerated; and 2) stories, effectively told, are powerful agents of social change.
As a small, evolving foundation, we are committed to implementing these beliefs. While harvesting stories about the homeless, our focus remains on outreach; bringing the reality of these lives to a public who may have been influenced into believing false stereotypes or prejudices about marginalized people. We believe that when the truth is told and the heart engaged, activism can be ignited and change will occur. How best to serve this goal is our ongoing quest. This inquiry is what makes our work both outward-facing and reflective.
In this light, the Helen Hudson Foundation is honored to be partnering with the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (RICH).
Founded in 1988, the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless works collaboratively to create and advance lasting solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Rhode Island. This dynamic coalition is committed to ensuring that no Rhode Islander experiences homelessness. The Coalition’s work focuses on four areas: policy & advocacy, constituent engagement, systems transformation, and training & support for service providers.
What We Do
we Advocate
Homelessness is a solvable problem.
Ending homelessness is not determined by a shortage of effective strategies or even a lack of money. If all stakeholders - service providers, constituents, government, business, landlords, foundations, and citizens - work together to prioritize permanent housing and supportive services to the most vulnerable among us, we can succeed. The Helen Hudson Foundation is committed to supporting and helping to strengthen local advocacy efforts related to homelessness.
we Give Back
Dinner at Six: Voices from the Soup Kitchen
As a Foundation, we are committed to giving back to the community; to support the good work of those who are on the front lines of the fight to end hunger and homelessness. We do this by distributing, free of charge, Helen Hudson's seminal book, Dinner at Six: Voices from the Soup Kitchen. To date, the campaign has been utilized by over one-hundred organizations and raised tens of thousands of dollars for the hungry and homeless.
we SPeak out
Voices of Homelessness
Voices of Homelessness is an educational program of The Helen Hudson Foundation that presents true stories from people who have experienced homelessness, in partnership with RI Coalition for the Homeless. Speakers share their stories to increase understanding about homelessness and engage more Rhode Islanders in this crucial fight for housing justice.