We are a learning organization that provides ongoing opportunities for staff, board members, interns, and volunteers to increase their awareness and understanding of current issues and best practices, which are relevant to the agency’s work. We are careful and responsible stewards of our financial resources. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that reflects and fosters these values.
In the early 1980’s we were known as Ocean State Adoption Resource Exchange (OSARE). Then came a move to office space in Pawtucket at Independence Square where we remained for 20 years. Our name changed to Adoption Rhode Island in 1997, but our original life changing mission to help abused and neglected children in state care to find permanency continued. And it remains at the heart of all we do today. Not long after our founding, 47 children were registered with Adoption Rhode Island.
In our home for 10 years a period of growth, impact, and continued leadership in caring for the most vulnerable children contributed to the depth and breadth of new programming and to increasing numbers of children, teens, and families served. In 2018, we welcomed 1,900 individuals through our doors.
ARI’s home at 290 West Exchange Street in Providence is better suited to meet the needs of everyone we serve, and is a space to accommodate continued growth. As we approach our 40th year of service, those we care for will always know they are safe and have a place to belong when they come through our doors. And our new facility will serve as a hub for strengthening partnerships and collaborations, and advancing the work of professionals who care for children impacted by foster care and adoption.
In 2020, we served more than 2000 individuals in a continuum of direct services across programs and more than 800 professionals through training, consultation and education services. Not only did Adoption Rhode Island serve more individuals and professionals in spite of the unprecedented challenges of a pandemic, the organization also expanded direct assistance to families and transition age youth and launched three new programs to meet the needs of our constituents.