Come and meet Donald Laliberte, LICSW, the Director of Assessment and Adult Shelters at Crossroads Rhode Island, who will speak and then lead a discussion that will guide us in interacting with and responding to homeless individuals and families. Whether through referral to Crossroads or with resources in our libraries, we’ll get to know some the fundamental ways libraries can support homeless and at-risk individuals and families.

Crossroads Rhode Island helps homeless or at-risk individuals and families secure stable homes. Serving people from all areas of Rhode Island, Crossroads RI also supports homeless families and individuals seeking to improve their lives through its education and employment services. Other services include shelter, case management and referrals. Founded in 1894 as Travelers Aid of Rhode Island, the goal was to assist people who came to Providence in search of work, many of whom were young women. Since then, Crossroads RI has evolved to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in Rhode Island.

Staff from all types of libraries, urban or not, are welcome! We’ll learn to best practices to understand and assist homeless individuals in our state.