Lucy’s Hearth, which started 40 years ago as a community project to fight homelessness, today welcomed Dr. Kimberly A. McClain, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and Juana Matias, New England Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Originally part of a former convent at St. Lucy’s Church on West Main Road, Lucy’s Hearth is now in a specially designed, modern building at 19 Valley Road in Middletown.
“Middletown residents had a vision in 1984 to create a shelter for neighbors in need,” said Lucy’s Hearth director Ashley Salemi Tarvis, LCSW. “In 2024, as we mark our 40th year, Lucy’s is now a statewide resource working to bring an end to family homelessness in RI. Shelter is not an answer but rather a short term measure for families to gain the stability and self-sufficiency skills they need before moving into permanent housing. It was wonderful to be able to share Lucy’s story with our HUD partners.”
Salemi Tarvis noted that recently the Lucy’s Hearth family lost an early leader of the shelter, Betty Lou Wright, who served as executive director for 17 years. Wright, an ordained Episcopal Church deacon, passed away on March 9th. “Betty would have truly enjoyed meeting with Assistant Secretary McClain and Regional Administrator Matias,” she said.
During the tour, the Assistant Secretary and Regional Administrator had the opportunity to meet with families at the shelter and staff. “The visit reminds us of the importance of collaboration among federal and state agencies, foundations, private supporters and advocates, and most importantly children and parents experiencing homelessness,” said Salemi Tarvis. All families, she noted are working toward financial self-sufficiency. “They want to transition out of Lucy’s, but too often there’s nowhere they can afford to go.”
Salemi Tarvis points out that Lucy’s Hearth exists largely because there’s literally no affordable housing on Aquidneck Island and beyond. “We don’t believe the solution is creating new shelters for families experiencing homelessness; we believe it is about expanding the supply of affordable housing for all,” Salemi Tarvis said, “Every one of us is going to need to work together to achieve that vision. Until then, Lucy’s is going to be here for kids and parents on one of the toughest days of their lives – losing their home.”
“Lucy’s Hearth is a critical partner in HUD’s efforts to end family homelessness in Rhode Island,” said Rhode Island Field Office Director Peter Asen. “I am so glad to be able to welcome Assistant Secretary McClain and Regional Administrator Matias to learn about the work Lucy’s is doing to meet critical housing needs on Aquidneck Island and look forward to our continued work together.”
Besides temporary shelter, families at Lucy’s Hearth receive budgeting and financial planning, employment training, housing navigation to find their forever homes, parenting classes, mental health and substance use supports, children’s enrichment programs, and more. The shelter, accredited by the National Council on Accreditation, serves approximately 140 individuals annually, about 60% children.