Community Service Referral List

Updated January 2025

General Tips: If you use this list to find a placement, tell the organization you contact that you heard about them from the Rhode Island Public Defender. If you are looking for a placement on your own, make sure you do the service at a registered non-profit organization that is willing to write you a letter confirming your service.


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  • Providence Area
  • Kent/South County
  • Woonsocket
  • Bristol / Newport
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Anchor Recovery Center
249 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 02860
Phone: (401) 721-5100
How to apply: Fill out application at the center. Referral not necessary, Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, some Saturdays 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and some evenings.
Work: Cleaning, both outdoor and indoor
Restrictions: No restrictions

Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)
340 Lockwood Street, Providence, RI, 02907
Phone: (401) 351-6960 Contact: Elia Lopez
How to apply: Call, email (elopez@daretowin.org), or stop by during hours below., Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Work: clerical, maintenance, cleaning
Restrictions: No sex offenders

Emmanuel House Homeless Shelter
239 Public Street Providence, RI, 02905
Phone: (401) 421-7888 Contact: Dotty
How to apply: call and come in, Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 8:00 am – 9:00 pm / 10:00 pm
Work: Sorting donations, serving food, cleaning
Restrictions: Must be 18 or older

Our Lady of Grace
4 Lafayette Street Johnston, RI, 02919
Phone: (401) 231-2220 Contact: Betsy
How to apply: call, Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Work: maintenance, general labor
Restrictions: No sex offenders

Providence Intown Churches Assoc. (PICA) Food Pantry
15 Hayes Street, Providence, RI, 02908
Phone: (401) 744-7468 Contact: Diana Burdett
How to apply: call or email (diana225@verizon.net), Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Work: Sorting food pantry items
Restrictions: No restrictions

RI Donation Exchange
20 River Avenue, Providence, RI, 02908
Phone: (401) 831-5511 Contact: Mary Landreville
How to apply: call first, Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Work: sorting clothing and furniture, moving furniture, janitorial work
Restrictions: No drug charges and no sex offenders, no age limits.

Save the Bay
100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI, 02905
Phone: (401) 272-3540 x130 , Contact: July Lewis
How to apply: Call, email, or go online savebay.org/volunteer, Hours: generally 8:30 am - 4:30 pm during office hours, events/clean ups at other times. Sometimes have events/clean ups on weekends
Work: Work: office/filing, cleaning, landscaping, clean-ups, event support.
Restrictions: Age 16+, no known restrictions on criminal records.
Notes: Most community service work is in Providence area but there are clean ups and special events seasonally in other areas of the state.

Smith Hill Community Development Corporation
231 Douglas Ave, Providence, RI, 02908
Phone: (401) 521-0159 (ext. 1) Contact: Dana Florio
How to apply: call or email (info@smithhillcdc.org), Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Work: Community Stewardship
Restrictions: No sexual offenders, or individuals with strong blood gang affiliations

St. Michael's Church
239 Oxford Street, Providence, RI, 02905
Phone: (401) 781-7210 Contact: Hue Her
How to apply: call first, Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Hours: Monday-Friday (call first to schedule)
Work: Work depends on church needs and capability of volunteers
Restrictions: None

West End Community Center
109 Bucklin Street, Providence, RI, 02907
Phone: (401) 781-4242 Contact: Olivia Martinez
How to apply: call, Hours: Call Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Work: Yard work, helping in the kitchen, various odd jobs.
Restrictions: No drug charges and no sex offenders

Anchor Recovery Center II
890 Centreville Road., Warwick, RI, 02886
Phone: (401) 831-9327 Contact: Steve Reid
How to apply: Come in person and apply, Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Work: Maintenance and cleaning and clerical work
Restrictions: No sex offenders
Note: nearest bus stops are Kent County Courthouse and Super Stop and Shop.

Animal Rescue RI
506B Curtis Corner Rd., Peace Dale, RI, 02879
Phone: (401) 783-7606 ext. 105 Contact: Jennifer Gebar
How to apply: Complete online volunteer application http://www.animalrescueri.org/court-order-community-service/, Hours: 7 days a week 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Work: Cleaning, clerical, yard work, and event support when applicable.
Restrictions: No individuals with felonies and must be 18+.

Kingstown Crossings (operated by Crossroads RI)
11 Merrill Lane, North Kingstown, RI, 02852
Phone: (401) 294-7723 Contact: Jan Hall-Stinson
How to apply: Call first, Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Work: Grounds keeping, janitorial work, helping with apartment turnovers.
Restrictions: No drug charges and no sex offenders, 18 years old or older.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
East Beach Rd., Charlestown, RI, 02813
Phone: (401) 601-5621 Contact: Tina Lundgren, Tinalundgren1330@gmail.com
How to apply: Call or e-mail for information., Hours: Sporadic, as needed to complete jobs
Work: Home repair, painting, construction, etc. (experience not required)
Restrictions: No sex offenses or serious felonies. Will also accept volunteers under 18 years old. Transportation to jobs is required.

South County Habitat for Humanity
1555 Shannock Rd., Charlestown, RI, 02813
Phone: (401) 213-6711 Contact: Emily Passeroni ext. 301
How to apply: call or email emily@southcountyhabitat.org for information, Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (volunteer shifts include 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 9:00 AM - 2:00 pm, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm).
Work: Help to operate re-store which is their retail outlet selling discounted home goods, moving large items, cleaning, etc.
Restrictions: criminal records considered on case-by-case basis. Will accept volunteers ages 16+.

The Johnny Cake Center of Peace Dale
1231 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale, RI, 02879
Phone: (401) 789-1559 ext. 17 Contact: volunteer@jonnycake.necoxmail.com, Paula Thayer
How to apply: Call or e-mail. Applications are on website: http://www.jonnycakecenter.org/community-service, Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Work: Work in the store, light cleaning, moving furniture and racks.
Restrictions: must be age 18+ and no serious or violent crimes.

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly
23 Industrial Drive, Westerly, RI, 02891
Phone: (401) 377-8069 ext. 7 Contact: volunteer@jonnycake.org, Steve Symonds or Grace Cipriano
How to apply: Call / e-mail for appointment. Application and orientation required., Hours: Monday - Wednesday and Friday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thursday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm, Sunday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Work: Help in thrift store, cleaning, moving furniture, sorting donated goods, stocking shelves.
Restrictions: No age restrictions but teens under 16 must be with an adult. Criminal records are reviewed and those with a pattern of violent charges or sex offenses will likely be rejected.

Westbay Community Action
487 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI, 02886
Phone: (401) 921-4009 Contact: Julie Dixon
How to apply: Fill out application at the center., Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, based on availability
Work: Food pantry work (stocking shelves, sweeping, food pick-up, etc.) or Farm work (planting, weeding, harvesting).
Restrictions: 16+
Because He Lives Ministries, All Saints Church
323 Rathbun Street, Woonsocket, RI, 02895
Phone: (401) 769-6175 Contact: Mrs. Dempster
How to apply: Come in person during open hours and ask for Mrs. Dempster, Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and Tuesday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Work: General kitchen work to support soup kitchen.
Restrictions: 18+, criminal records reviewed case by case basis.

Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary
266 Mendon Rd, Woonsocket, RI, 02895
Phone: (401) 765-4174 Contact: Deborah Adam
How to apply: Come in and fill out application at the Sanctuary Hours: Call Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am, Wednesday 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Sunday 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Work: Clean cages, vacuum, mop floors, do dishes, socialize cats
Restrictions: Volunteers evaluated on a case by case basis

Easton's Beach, City of Newport
175 Memorial Blvd., Newport, RI, 02840
Phone: (401) 845-5810
How to apply: Call to apply, Hours: 7 days a week – usually 8am-4:30pm but occasionally 6 am - 10 pm
Work: Setup/tear down of ballroom, picking up litter, shoveling sand, general maintenance and labor tasks.
Restrictions: Age 16+, no felonies, no theft or drug charges

Good Neighbors
55 Turner Ave, Riverside, RI, 02915
Phone: (401) 433-0045 Contact: Anne Wiard
How to apply: Come in person during open hours, Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Work: Serving food, cooking, cleaning.
Restrictions: 16+ and over (parental consent needed for those under 18).

Martin Luther King, Jr. Center
20 Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Blvd., Newport, RI, 02840
Phone: (401) 846-4828
How to apply: Come in at Tilden Avenue entrance or call ahead of time, Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Work: Stocking food pantry, general maintenance.
Restrictions: 16 and over, no felony records, no drug related