Helping Hands and Speaking Their Language this week on Rhode Island Spotlight

HELPING HANDS

Every month volunteers help needy homeowners in South County with repairs and maintenance - a lifeline for some to stay in their homes. Neighbors Helping Neighbors RI provides the materials and the manpower at no cost, and has grown significantly since the effort began several years ago.

This month Jim Hummel and Rhode Island Spotlight interviews two leaders of the group, who talk about the impact the non-profit organization is having in the southern part of Rhode Island.

Helping Hands will air on Rhode Island PBS on Thursday, August 6 at 1:52 p.m.

Also this month, Speaking Their Language

Despite all of the public education and shifting social mores, smoking is still attractive to some teenagers. And while Rhode Island has one of the lowest smoking rates in the country for young people,the Department of Health has launched an initiative aimed at helping 13-18-year-olds stop using tobacco: an interactive texting program that’s the first of its kind in the country.

Speaking Their Language airs on Rhode Island PBS (36.1) on the following dates and times:

Sat  8/08  at 9:46 p.m.

Tue  8/11  at 2:23 p.m.

Tue  8/11  at 9:52 p.m.

Rhode Island Spotlight for more information about this and other stories about people and organizations that are making a difference in our community.

Helping Hands on Rhode Island Spotlight

HELPING HANDS

Every month volunteers help needy homeowners in South County with repairs and maintenance - a lifeline for some to stay in their homes. Neighbors Helping Neighbors RI provides the materials and the manpower at no cost, and has grown significantly since the effort began several years ago. This month Jim Hummel

This month Jim Hummel and Rhode Island Spotlight interviews two leaders of the group, who talk about the impact the non-profit organization is having in the southern part of Rhode Island.

Helping Hands will air on Rhode Island PBS on the following dates and times.

Rhode Island PBS (36.1)

Sat  6/27  at 9:48 p.m.

Mon  6/29  at 9:52 p.m.

Tue  6/30  at 9:21 p.m.

Wed  7/01  at 12:52 p.m.

Thu  7/02  at 1:52 a.m.

Learn (36.2)

Sun  6/28  at 9:53 p.m.

Tue  6/30  at 1:53 p.m.

Wed  7/01  at 3:48 a.m.

Visit Rhode Island Spotlight for more information about this and other stories about people and organizations that are making a difference in our community.

Rhode Island Spotlight: PeaceLove Studios

POWERFUL SYMBOL

One in four Americans has a diagnosed form of mental illness, but two out of three don’t seek help because of a perceived stigma. Since 2009, PeaceLove Studios in Pawtucket has offered help to thousands through expressive art.

This month Jim Hummel and Rhode Island Spotlight takes a look what happens when people step inside the studio doors.

Powerful Symbol will air on Rhode Island PBS on the following dates and times.

Rhode Island PBS (36.1)
Fri 5/8 at 1:46 p.m.
Tue 5/12 at 9:22 p.m.
Wed 5/13 at 12:51 p.m.
Thu 5/14 at 2:48 p.m.

Learn (36.2) 
Thu 5/14 at 10:52 p.m

Visit Rhode Island Spotlight for more information about this and other stories about people and organizations that are making a difference in our community.

Rhode Island Spotlight on The Safety Net (week of March 21)

Even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders still have no medical coverage - often going without, or winding up at a local hospital emergency room.

For the past 15 years The Rhode Island Free Clinic has been the safety net for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents, through a vast network of volunteer medical professionals and corporate donors.

The Safety Net may be seen on Rhode Island PBS on the following dates and times this week:

Rhode Island PBS (36.1)
Sat 3/21 at 9:46 p.m.
Sun 3/22 at 1:49 a.m.
Mon 3/23 at 2:16 a.m.
Tue 3/24 at 12:14 p.m.
Wed 3/25 at 12:52 p.m.
Thu 3/26 at 1:52 a.m.
Thu 3/26 at 12:20 p.m.
Fri 3/27 at 2:18 a.m.
Fri 3/27 at 1:46 p.m.
Sat 3/28 at 6:46 p.m

 Learn (36.2)
 Wed 3/25 at 3:52 a.m.

For more information about this segment and to see other Rhode Island Spotlight segments, visit the Rhode Island Spotlight Web site.

Children's Friend on Rhode Island Spotlight

It’s Rhode Island’s oldest child welfare organization and one that has been a pioneer for much of the past 180 years. Children’s Friend, founded in 1834, serves the state’s most vulnerable children and their families.

And while last month’s annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive drew support from hundreds of individuals and companies, Jim Hummel shows us some of the dozens of programs Children’s Friend runs the rest of the year.

See the segment on Rhode Island PBS:
Fri  2/06 at 2:13 a.m.
Fri  2/06  at 12:17 p.m.
Sat  2/07 at 6:46 p.m.
Sun  2/08  at 6:51 p.m.
Mon  2/09 at 2:16 a.m.
Mon  2/09  at 12:17 p.m.
Tue  2/10  at 4:51 p.m.
Wed  2/11  at 12:16 p.m.
Thu 2/12 at 2:46 p.m.

See the segment on Learn:
Tue  2/10 at 8:51 p.m.
Wed 2/11 at 3:52 a.m.
Thu 2/12  at 6:55 a.m.

See all of the segments on Rhode Island Spotlight 

Out of Prison and Back to Life - The Blessing Way

A Way Back

More than a third of the men and women released from prison in Rhode Island return to the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) within a year - nearly half within three years - often because they have no support system when they get out. 

This month, Jim Hummel takes a look at a decade-old program, run by a non-profit organization, that has reduced the recidivism rate of its participants dramatically, laying the groundwork for employment and sobriety.

The Blessing Way may be seen on Rhode Island PBS on the following dates and times this next week:

Rhode Island PBS
Fri 1/23 at 2:16 am
Fri 1/23 at 11:22 pm
Sat 1/24 at 6:45 pm
Sat 1/24 at 11:45 pm
Sun 1/25 at 2:18 am
Mon 1/26 at 2:16 am
Mon 1/26 at 12:23 pm
Tue 1/27 at 12:21 pm


For more information about this segment and to see other Rhode Island Spotlight segments, visit the Rhode Island Spotlight Web site.  

Beyond the Flames - Rhode Island Spotlight with Jim Hummel

Beyond the Flames

Chances are you’ve seen, or been to, the annual Flames of Hope torch lighting and road races over the Columbus Day Weekend. This month Jim Hummel takes a look at the vast array of work the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource foundation is doing the rest of the year and introduces you to some of the lives the foundation has touched.

This week's video may be seen on the following channels and times:

Rhode Island PBS
Thu 01/08 at 12:22 p.m.
Sat 01/10 at 9:51 p.m.
Mon 01/12 at 3:22 a.m.

Learn
Tue 01/13 at 9:53 p.m.
Wed 01/14 at 4:53 a.m.


The entire Rhode Island Spotlight series can be found here.

Rhode Island Spotlight: CVS | Caremark Charity Classic

The CVS Caremark Charity Classic is not only one of Rhode Island’s premier sporting events - featuring world-class golfers - but one of its leading charity events as well. It’s a unique partnership that has helped the tournament grow over the last 16 years, generating millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations.

In this episode, Jim Hummel discovers some things you might not know about the tournament, as he sits down with Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade and the CEO at CVS Caremark.

This episode of Rhode Island Spotlight airs on Rhode Island PBS (36.1):
Sat 9/20 at 7:49 p.m.
Sun 9/21 at 3:47 p.m.
Sun 9/21 at 6:50 p.m.
Mon 9/22 at 10:52 p.m.
Tue 9/23 at 9:52 p.m.
Wed 9/24 at 3:17 a.m.

This episode may also air on additional dates and times.

For more information about the Rhode Island Spotlight series, and to watch videos of several segments, please visit the Web site.

Rhode Island Spotlight (through July 4,2014)

These stories never fail to charm and touch the heart! A division of The Hummel Report, Rhode Island Spotlight features the unsung work being done all over the state to improve our community.

Rhode Island PBS is proud to present these short profiles produced by award-winning investigative journalist and new media entrepreneur Jim Hummel. Because these profiles are short, they fit perfectly between full-length programs.

Here are a few upcoming dates and times so you don't miss any of the special stories. Spotlights are also archived on the Rhode Island Spotlight Web site, in case you missed any.

Charitable Act - A struggling non-profit community theater relocated - and reinvented - itself four years ago with a simple mission: to give back to the community. This month Jim Hummel profiles the Academy Players, which has raised thousands of dollars for charities, other non-profit organizations and people in need. He finds they’re not only surviving - but thriving.

Rhode Island PBS
Wed 7/02 at 12:18 p.m.
Fri 7/04 at 12:18 p.m.

Tapping Into the Community - For the past three decades Tap In has been a mainstay for thousands of people in need of food, clothing, household items - and transportation to medical appointments. The all-volunteer organization is located in what some see as an unlikely place: the town of Barrington. But this week Jim Hummel finds there is a growing need throughout the East Bay communities it serves.

Rhode Island PBS
Mon 6/30 at 12:19 p.m.

True To Its Mission - The name certainly turns a lot of heads: The Providence Shelter for Colored Children. And though it has transitioned from a shelter building into a charitable foundation, the organization’s mission of helping minority children in the greater Providence area remains the same. Jim Hummel takes a look at the group’s 175-year history and finds out why some board members over the years have been the staunchest advocates for keeping the original name.

Learn
Thu 6/26 at 10:52 p.m.

Rhode Island PBS
Fri 6/27 at 12:19 p.m.
Sat 6/28 at 6:50 p.m.
Thu 7/03 at 12:19 p.m.

Worthy Goal - Two afternoons a week you can find close to 80 aspiring soccer players in classrooms well after school ends. They are there not because they have to be, but because they want to be. For the past decade Project Goal has offered more than 500 students the opportunity to improve academically, while receiving top-notch coaching from former soccer professionals and certified coaches. All at no cost to the kids. Jim Hummel finds it's a mix that is yielding impressive results.

Rhode Island PBS
Tue 7/01 at 12:19 p.m.