This past fall, Grace Swinksi, archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, talked with a second grade Cranston class about how to help the less fortunate in their community. To start, she had each child draw a picture of their family and then arrange them into a community quilt on the floor. From there, she asked who was missing and how they could make it better.

At the end of the class, she told students she had to leave to pick up an alarm clock for a high school student who was having trouble getting to school on time. Swinski said the principal came into the classroom to say goodbye when one of the second graders informed the principal why she was leaving.

“He [the second grader] then told the principal that this high school student is part of our community and we need to help him any way we can,” said Swinski, who was the keynote speaker at the 15th annual Interfaith Coalition fighting poverty with faith vigil on Jan. 4.

Just like the students who learned about helping those in their community, members of the faith community gathered to pray that the state’s representatives and elected officials hear the voices of the individuals they serve and govern with compassion and propose policies for legislative action in 2023 to reduce poverty.

The RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty is a coalition of diverse religious communities and advocacy partners throughout the state who have come together to fight poverty. As clergy, lawmakers and activists gathered in the State House rotunda last week to learn about Interfaith Coalition’s 2023 legislative priorities, Swinski focused on the 2022 legislative successes. These accomplishments included: providing healthcare access to all children in the state regardless of immigration status; driver’s licenses for all; extending coverage for all new mothers to 12 months regardless of immigration status; allocating $250 million of federal money to address housing issues in Rhode Island such as low income housing and homelessness; and expanding the RI Works program that increases lifetime limit for receiving benefits from 48 to 60 months and more.

She also addressed areas of need within the state – such as the homeless population that recently erected tents outside the State House.

“I am sad to report that the number of unsheltered Rhode Islanders is rising as we head into the colder months. In the first two weeks of December, 509 people were unsheltered in Rhode Island. There is constant discussion about more shelters opening but when will all our brothers and sisters have a safe place to leave their belongings and sleep,” said Swinski.

She added that many individuals are experiencing food insecurities and that one in four households with children in Rhode Island is food insecure.

Additionally, there are people who do not have insurance or enough resources for mental health services which can help people build better lives.

“More than half of the people with a mental health condition in the U.S. did not receive any treatment in the last year. Of the 61,000 adults in Rhode Island who did not receive needed mental health care, 32.8 percent did not because of cost,” Swinski said, whose data comes from Crossroads, NAMI and the RI Food Bank.

Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, who’s a member of the RI Interfaith Coalition’s executive committee and rabbi of the Cranston-based Temple Sinai, welcomed elected officials to the event and recognized Maxine Richman – founder of Interfaith Coalition

Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos shared that this event is an opportunity to come together and double down on commitment to the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders. She said the state has come a long way with housing in the last 15 years but must do more since every Rhode Islander deserves a safe place to live. She added that she is optimistic about the rapid development of affordable housing in the state and that Rhode Island’s investment in housing is overdue.

House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski shared his thoughts on the vigil.

“I appreciate this event every year because it’s an opportunity for us to redouble that effort – to reaffirm our commitment to helping those who are most vulnerable in our society,” said Blazejewski.

Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson added that starting a new legislative session allows elected officials to reflect on what has been accomplished while looking at the path going forward.

Interfaith Coalition believes that all Rhode Islanders deserve the following: a safe and affordable home; adequate, nutritious food; quality and equal education; affordable and accessible health care; work with decent wages.

“In this New Year we must come together and fight poverty in Rhode Island. We must offer not just prayer but also put our faith into action and help pass legislation and administrative changes that address systemic inequality,” said David Veli, Interfaith Coalition’s Executive Director.

The organization’s 2023 legislative priorities include the following:

Federal Aid: Working to ensure that ARPA and other federal funds are used to address poverty, inequality, and Rhode Islanders in need.

Housing: Advocating for more low-income housing and protecting Rhode Islands from evictions and utility cutoffs; advocating for emergency housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.

Immigrant Rights: Providing immigrant communities in Rhode Island with adequate access to services and benefits.

RI Works: Continuing to update the RI Works program and increase the benefit rate and allowances that recipients receive.

Revenue RI: Advocating for a more just tax structure to build revenue for needed programs and services.

Environmental Justice: Working with local advocates to prioritize environmental justice legislative initiatives.

Food Sustainability: Protecting and expanding food access and services for Rhode Islanders in need.

In addressing local needs and assisting community members, Swinski suggested individuals come to the State House to testify, write letters or make calls to legislators on issues that matter to them.