Five Questions With: Stephen Hourahan

"All our programs are very active. Two areas where we really need volunteer support from the business community are our foster care program and our Walking School Bus."

Stephen Hourahan is chief advancement officer of Family Service of Rhode Island, where he is responsible for public relations, marketing, and branding for the organization, which serves 20,000 Rhode Islanders. In this capacity, he also heads AIDS Project Rhode Island, a division of Family Service. Hourahan also brings more than 20 years of experience working on the front lines of the AIDS movement as an educator, fundraiser and advocate for people with AIDS, beginning with his work as the first director of development at the AIDS Action Council in Washington, D.C., in 1989. Here he discusses an AIDS fundraiser and his agency’s mission.

PBN: The mission of your organization is to build social service partnerships that respond creatively to unmet needs and help people live independently. What are the primary areas of focus?
HOURAHAN:
Family Service of Rhode Island has an array of programs that can be linked together to help an individual or family meet various life challenges. The programs should be viewed as a continuum of care that we tailor to individual needs, depending on what is needed when we work with a child, an adult and a family. We’re offering innovative, durable and research-based solutions, and are a trauma-focused organization. The role trauma plays in the lives of those we serve is a common thread.

PBN: At what rate are HIV cases increasing in Rhode Island? Is there cause for concern?
HOURAHAN:
In 2014, there were 98 newly identified cases of HIV in Rhode Island, according to the state Health Department. In 2013, there were 74. We need to be concerned whenever we see a jump in numbers. Another concern is the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans and Latinos in Rhode Island.

PBN: Dining Out for Life on April 30 is raising awareness and funds to fight AIDS and prevent HIV infection. How will this fund raiser help your organization?
HOURAHAN:
The fundraiser helps Family Service of Rhode Island’s AIDS Project RI division in its work caring for people with HIV/AIDS and preventing the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C.
We are fortunate that many restaurants across the state are participating. People should go to www.aidsprojectri.org to get the complete list. Choose one or two and dine there on Thursday, April 30. Bring family and friends as well. The restaurant is donating a portion of your bill, or a flat donation, to be an official Dining Out for Life restaurant.
We work to increase their business on that day, so it is a win for the restaurant and a win for the fight against HIV and AIDS. There is still time for restaurants to sign up! Call Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289.

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PBN: What is the most challenging aspect of fund raising for FSRI and what are your immediate goals for 2015?
HOURAHAN:
The economy is always a factor. When businesses and individuals are doing well, then they can donate or grant more funds. Our immediate goals for 2015 is to surpass what we did in 2014, if possible. With the economy improving in Rhode Island, that’s doable.

PBN: FSRI has many programs to help children. Which of these is getting the most use and likewise which program could use more funding or staffing support?
HOURAHAN:
All our programs are very active. Two areas where we really need volunteer support from the business community are our foster care program and our Walking School Bus.
Children in Rhode Island need loving foster homes, so we are always searching for caring single people and families to open their hearts and homes. There’s a particular need for people to become foster parents for adolescents. Greg Wright is our foster care recruiter, and I’m hoping people will call him at 401-331-1350 ext. 3305 to learn more. We are welcoming to the LGBTQ communities and have kicked off a #wetakeprideinallfamilies campaign.
Our Walking School Bus program in Providence’s South Side neighborhood helps young children safely get to school and back. These boys and girls live within a mile of school and are not eligible to take the bus, and they often don’t have family or friends to walk them to and from school. We’re looking for volunteers to lead walking routes.
The Walking School Bus is great exercise and promotes school attendance. We have had a good number of what we call celebrity walkers, such as the governor, mayor, firefighters, police officers, media personalities and many others. I’m hoping people will call Ally Trenteseaux at 401-692-3991 to find out more.

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