Providence Center’s James Gillen Named Homeless Provider of the Year

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

James Gillen, Manager of the Providence Center’s Recovery Services Division and the Anchor Recovery Community Center, was selected by The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless to receive the Sr. Judy Soares and John Coen Award for demonstrating exceptional service to the state’s homeless.

“Jim’s energy and compassion at both an individual and community level is remarkable,” said Dale K. Klatzker, President and CEO of the Providence Center. “He changes peoples’ lives every day, reaching out to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable… I’m honored to work with him and proud of his accomplishments.”

A life of service

Gillen’s work includes supervising 12 volunteers at Emmanuel House, an emergency homeless shelter in Providence; leading a weekly addiction support group at McAuley House, a homeless support site; coordinating a summer wellness event for the homeless called Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit; facilitating a weekly homeless support group called Speak Out; and writing a monthly column in Street Sights, a newspaper written by and for homeless people.

Serving the homeless was a natural progression from working with people in recovery from substance abuse, Gillen told GoLocalProv. "I began to see a strong connection between homelessness and addiction," he said, "and as I began to work with other community providers I found that we were helping a lot of the same people."

"Having a home makes a huge difference..."

"I strongly believe that everyone deserves a place to live and that everyone who is battling with addiction deserves support. Having a home makes a huge difference in a person's ability to set down roots, become a part of their community and become their best selves."

Gillen also said that working with the homeless has showed him the fine line between having shelter and not having it. "It makes me realize how easy it is to lose your home. I see so much heartbreak and tragedy, but in the same people I see tremendous courage."

“I am extremely humbled to be recognized,” he said. “The people I meet every day 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.”

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