May 07, 2019

​PROVIDENCE — How can Rhode Island better serve individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

April 02, 2019

Anxiety, frustration, and fear permeate the lives of adults facing the daily challenges of developmental disabilities, and by extension, the lives of families and caregivers who support them, say numerous Rhode Islanders who wrote to members of the House Finance Committee recently to explain the human effects of chronically underfunded services.

March 17, 2019

PROVIDENCE – The Community Provider Network of Rhode Island will host a week of action starting March 26 at the Statehouse to seek a $28.5 million budget increase for better pay for direct-support professionals serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The week of action will coincide with national Disability Awareness Month to highlight the…

- By Jim Petrone

March 28, 2016

The Leadership Series is a 10 month learning experience for Rhode Islanders who have a developmental disability, family members, friends and direct support staff. Each class covers topics related to Leadership and Self-Advocacy.

During the series, students are introduced to the tools they need to speak up for themselves and others. Class members are the on stage hosts for the annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Meeting at the Crowne Plaza, which was March 28, 2016. Everyone who completes the series graduates at a formal ceremony in June.

This year was my first time going to the state-wide meeting. The theme for the meeting this year was “Myth Busters”. The class discussed several widely heard statements/rumors such as “Everyone has to get a job” and “You can’t change your goals once they are in the ISP”.

We made up skits to illustrate these issues and talked about if they were true or not! I was nervous not knowing what would happen. We had practiced a lot and sometimes I felt like I was spending more time with the leadership class than I was at West Bay. It was big time work, but it also turned out to be a lot of fun!

April 17, 2016

On April 17, 2016, West Bay Residential Services held its first annual Strides for Independence 1K/5K Walk-A-Thon. It was a beautiful, sunny day as people began to arrive at the carousel at Goddard Memorial State Park for check-in.

Our West Bay community came out in full force with over 400 participants and 350 walkers that helped make our first annual Strides for Independence Walk-A-Thon such a great success. Thank you to all who helped make this event such a great success!

May 28, 2023

On September 8, 2016, West Bay Poets held a book signing at Barrington Books Retold in Garden City at 2:00 p.m. The event was a celebration of their debut collection Thursdays at 2: Poems to Gladden the Heart, which was recently-published by Rose Hall Media Company.

In attendance were West Bay staff, friends, family, board and community members. West Bay Poets Melissa Angilly, James Boucher, Gloria Bray, and Corinne Charlette shared their poetry and autographed copies for the guests who were present. It was truly a special afternoon for it marked the culmination of a dream coming to fruition.

​

Thursdays at 2 showcases both collaborative and individual poems written by West Bay Poets, famous authors, and members of Ocean State Poets—a non-profit whose mission is to “give voice through the reading, sharing and writing of poetry.” In addition, the book is filled with creative prompts, suggestions and ideas for inspiring collaborative works.