Providence Center’s James Gillen Receives Homeless Provider of the Year Award

April 4, 2011 (Providence, RI)—The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless selected James Gillen, Manager of The Providence Center’s Recovery Services Division and the Anchor Recovery Community Center, as the recipient of its Sr. Judy Soares and John Coen Award. Named in honor of long-time Homeless Coalition colleagues, Judy Soares and John Coen, this award is presented annually to the homeless provider in Rhode Island who demonstrates exceptional service and compassion for Rhode Island’s homeless.

“I am extremely humbled to be recognized along with the other award winners,” said Gillen, who received his award at a Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless luncheon held on March 28 at the Warwick Crown Plaza Hotel. “The people I meet everyday who are battling to maintain their recovery and get back on their feet are my constant inspiration. They are the ones who truly deserve an award.”

Gillen’s work with the homeless includes supervision of 12 volunteers at Emmanuel House, an emergency homeless shelter in Providence; a weekly addiction support group at McAuley House, a homeless support site; coordination of Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit, an annual summer wellness event for the homeless; facilitation of Speak Out, a weekly homeless support group; and a monthly column in Street Sights, a newspaper written by and for homeless people.

In addition to his work with the homeless, Gillen runs the Anchor Recovery Community Center, Rhode Island’s only recovery community center and managers The Providence Center’s Recovery Services Division, the only one of its kind in the state.

“The Providence Center is very lucky to have someone like Jim Gillen as part of our team,” said Dale K. Klatzker, President/CEO of The Providence Center. “Jim’s energy and compassion at both an individual and community level are remarkable. He changes people’s lives every day, reaching out equally to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable and most esteemed to make a difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders. I’m honored to work with him and proud of his accomplishments.”

The Providence Center is at the forefront of innovative approaches to behavioral health care designed to meet the changing needs of the more than 10,000 people served each year. Since The Providence Center opened its doors in 1969, it has been a community fixture, providing people from all walks of life with mental health and substance abuse services in their homes, schools and neighborhoods. In addition to comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health services, The Providence Center gives people the tools they need to change their lives. Through 39 programs and wraparound services, including food and housing, job training, legal services, primary health care and wellness activities, The Providence Center helps the people it serves to succeed.