2023 -- H 6469
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LC003104
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL
TO SUPPORT A ONE-TIME CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE CON STRUCTION
AND RENOVATIONS OF H IGHER GROUND INTERNA TIONAL'S NEW
HEADQUARTERS
Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Diaz
Date Introduced: May 31, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
WHEREAS, Higher Ground International (HGI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to 1
advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberian and West African 2
immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities; and 3
WHEREAS, National experts indicate that in order to lift people out of poverty, 4
communities must break down systemic barriers and ensure access to programs that offer 5
transitional services, including workforce preparation, job skills development, behavioral health 6
support, and basic necessities; and 7
WHEREAS, Higher Ground International currently provides all of these recommended 8
services, however, there is a critical need to provide these services to more community members 9
which can only be accomplished through expanded and renovated facilities; and 10
WHEREAS, New and renovated headquarters would enable HGI to serve an estimated 11
600 families a month through their food pantry, 125 elders a month through their Sweetie Care 12
African Enrichment Day Program, and 250 individuals a month through their social service and 13
transformational programs; and 14
WHEREAS, An appropriation in the amount of $800,000 is a long-term and life-15
changing one-time capital investment contribution that would expand the organization's ability to 16
offer vital services to hundreds more community members; now, therefore be it 17
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not 18
LC003104 - Page 2 of 3
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars 1
($800,000) to Higher Ground International, Inc. to support a one-time capital contribution for the 2
construction and renovations of Higher Ground International's new headquarters; and the state 3
controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the 4
payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of 5
properly authenticated vouchers. 6
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIAT ION OF $800,000 TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNA TIONAL
TO SUPPORT A ONE-TIME CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE CON STRUCTION
AND RENOVATIONS OF H IGHER GROUND INTERNA TIONAL'S NEW
HEADQUARTERS
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $800,000 to Higher 1
Ground International for the construction and renovations of HGI's new headquarters. 2
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