Woonsocket Spotlight: Studio Rhode Interviews Community Care Alliance CEO Ben Lessing




Woonsocket, RI --- On October 4, 2017, the Studio Rhode team had the opportunity to interview Ben Lessing, Chief Executive Officer of Community Care Alliance. 

In the interview, Lessing spoke at great length about his experience with Community Care Alliance, the challenges he sees in Woonsocket, and his greater vision for the city.

Community Care Alliance has worked to empower people challenged by economic insecurity, mental illness and addictions, housing issues, and other trauma-related concerns. They provide counseling, treatment and support services; food, shelter and housing; programs to assist with self-sufficiency such as employment, financial iteracy and vocational training; and support for self help. The organization has over 125 years of experience of working to strengthen families, individuals and the community. 

Lessing noted that his fondest memory in Woonsocket was his role in helping grow the annual ShelterWalk since his arrival in the year 2000. Due to the support received from ShelterWalk, which has helped benefit the Woonsocket Shelter, 84 percent of the individuals left the shelter last year into permanent or transitional housing. More than 250 participants walked the three-mile loop in the 29th Annual Shelter walk this past October. 

"I think the best thing about it is that it brings all kinds of folks to the community, from the community to the walk who are really concerned about the issue and who care about people living poverty," said Lessing.

"It's just a meaningful way of really trying to build consciousness about homeless which continues to be quiet a significant issue in not only Rhode Island, but across the country."


For more information, or if you are interested in participating in the "My Woonsocket Life" oral history project, you can contact Woonsocket Library Director Leslie Page at (401) 769-9044 and Assistant Library Director Margaret McNulty at (401) 767-4126.






For more information about Community Care Alliance



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