Center Those Most Impacted

Address the Root Causes of Violence

Center Those Most Impacted

The groups disproportionately impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV) include Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) individuals, women, people who are LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, young people and immigrants.

People who experience multiple forms of oppression and discrimination at the same time are at even higher risk of experiencing abuse.

We must listen to those most impacted by violence and systems of inequity and empower the community to lead solutions for preventing abuse.

Voices of Change

As a collective of partners – ARISE, Progreso Latino, the RICADV, SISTA FIRE and Youth In Action – we are sharing stories through the Voices of Change video series to shine a light on the organizations and communities leading transformative change efforts in Rhode Island during a global pandemic.

Our vision: A world free from violence, poverty, racism and oppression. A vibrant, equitable Rhode Island, where everyone is safe and every person can thrive.

Through community-led and community-centered solutions, we can improve quality of life for all Rhode Islanders, support survivors of domestic and dating abuse and prevent violence before it happens in the first place.

Watch the videos and learn more about the series below.

Voices of Change - Our Collective Story

The times we are living through call for transformational change. Community organizations led by and for people of color have been leading the way – during this time of crisis and long before – to meet the immediate needs of community members, while also organizing for long-term solutions to end violence and inequity and build a safe, just world. This video features all of our organizations telling a collective story about preventing violence before it starts.

Voices of Change - Youth in Action (YIA)

The youth-led organization Youth In Action has continued to create brave spaces for youth to become agents of change throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re building leadership skills to address equity issues in their communities and create more caring, fair public institutions and systems. This is violence prevention.

Voices of Change - ARISE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the youth centered, led and serving organization ARISE (Alliance of Southeast Asians for Education) has continued to combine leadership training with community organizing to mobilize Southeast Asian and other R.I. youth of color for education justice. This is violence prevention.

Voices of Change - Progreso Latino

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the culturally-responsive social services agency Progreso Latino has been managing a mass anti-hunger operation and mobilizing the community to advocate for policy changes. This is violence prevention.

Voices of Change - SISTA FIRE

The member-led organization SISTA FIRE distributes resources and direct financial assistance to hundreds of families during the COVID-19 pandemic. They continue to build collective power among women and non-binary people of color for social, economic and political transformation. This is violence prevention. 

About Voices of Change

Between 2020 and 2021, the RICADV received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support primary prevention strategies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With support from this funding, we partnered with four community-based organizations led by and for people of color – ARISE, Progreso Latino, SISTA FIRE and Youth In Action – with the goal of amplifying their voices and experiences through the Voices of Change video storytelling project. 

Those who have been most severely impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting economic crisis are also those most impacted by violence and systemic oppression, including Black, Latino and Southeast Asian people and other communities of color, women, people who are LGBTQ, people with disabilities, young people, immigrants and people who are undocumented.

Our communities hold the knowledge and power to build a Rhode Island free from violence, poverty, racism and oppression. As a state, we must listen to the people most impacted by violence and inequity and take action on the priorities they have defined. We must invest in the health and wellbeing of our communities. This includes funding small and medium-sized organizations led by people of color who have been on the front lines of the pandemic providing direct aid to neighbors in need, while working to end economic violence and address injustices in education and health care.

When we focus on creating community connectedness, changing community conditions and holding our systems and institutions accountable, we can create safe, supportive environments where violence is less likely to happen.

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