How many women's programs resources are in Rhode Island?

Women's Corner tracks 15 women's programs resources for women in Rhode Island.

Are women's programs resources in Rhode Island free?

15 of the 15 listed women's programs resources in Rhode Island are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Rhode Island have women's programs resources?

Listings span cities including Woonsocket, Providence, Pawtucket.

What are some examples of women's programs resources in Rhode Island?

Featured entries include YWCA Rhode Island, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Dress for Success Providence, RI Commission on Women, Girls Inc. of Rhode Island.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 15 Rhode Island women's programs listings include phone numbers.

What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?

Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.

Are there programs for single moms specifically?

Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.

Do these programs cost money?

Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.

Can I get help starting a business as a woman?

Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant ($10,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.

Best Women's Programs in Rhode Island — 15 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

15 Resources

1. YWCA Rhode Island — Free

YWCA RI at 514 Blackstone Street in Woonsocket offers women's leadership programs, racial-justice trainings, and economic-advancement services in the Blackstone Valley. They run a specialized women's housing program plus advocacy for survivors. Phone 401-769-7450 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm to enroll or volunteer. Most programming free for participants.

401-769-7450 · 514 Blackstone St, Woonsocket, RI 02895 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

2. Women's Fund of Rhode Island — Free

The Women's Fund at 1 Union Station in Providence is a grant-making foundation that finances policy advocacy, leadership training, and direct services for RI women and girls. Their Women's Policy Institute trains a yearly cohort of women in legislative advocacy. Phone 401-331-0990 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Application cycles posted at wfri.org.

401-331-0990 · 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Dress for Success Providence — Free

Dress for Success Providence at 345 South Main Street outfits women returning to work with interview-ready clothing, plus offers a Career Center with resume help, interview prep, and a Professional Women's Group. Services by referral; phone 401-861-2990 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Walk-ins are not accepted — appointments only. Free for clients.

401-861-2990 · 345 South Main St, Providence, RI 02903 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; by appointment · Visit Website

4. RI Commission on Women — Free

The RI Commission on Women is housed in the Governor's Office at the State House and advises on policy affecting women and girls — pay equity, reproductive rights, women veterans, and women in the workforce. They publish annual reports and host stakeholder roundtables. Phone 401-222-1739 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Free public agency.

401-222-1739 · 1 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Girls Inc. of Rhode Island — Free

Girls Inc. at 34 Broad Street in Pawtucket runs after-school and summer programs for girls 6-18 — STEM, financial literacy, healthy-relationships, and college-readiness curricula taught by trained women mentors. Sliding-scale fees; many families attend free. Phone 401-781-3200 to enroll.

401-781-3200 · 34 Broad St, Pawtucket, RI 02860 · Mon-Fri after school; Sat programs

6. United Way of Rhode Island — Women United — Free

Women United is the women's giving circle inside United Way of RI at 50 Valley Street in Providence, funding programs that help low-income mothers stabilize and advance. They host networking and volunteering events. Phone 401-444-0600 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm to join or apply for member programs. Free to apply.

401-444-0600 · 50 Valley St, Providence, RI 02909 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Sojourner House — Women's Programs — Free

Sojourner House in Providence is a DV-rooted agency whose women's programs extend beyond shelter to include economic empowerment, immigrant women's services, and youth advocacy. The 24/7 hotline at 401-765-3232 connects women to safety planning, shelter, and bilingual advocates. Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. All services confidential and free.

401-765-3232 · Providence, RI 02905 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Hotline 24/7 · Visit Website

8. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

AAUW at aauw.org runs fellowships, dissertation grants, and the Work Smart salary-negotiation course (free online). RI has active branches in Providence, Newport, and South County that host scholarship events and policy meet-ups. Membership open to women with college degrees; affiliate programs open to all.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

NOW at now.org leads grassroots organizing on reproductive rights, workplace equity, and ending violence against women. The Rhode Island chapter coordinates local rallies, voter mobilization, and policy lobbying — join through the national site. Free public membership tiers available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. League of Women Voters — Free

The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island, linked from lwv.org, runs voter registration drives, publishes nonpartisan voter guides for every state and local election, and hosts candidate forums. Open to women, men, and non-binary members 16+. Free to access guides; small membership dues to join.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. YWCA USA — Free

YWCA USA at ywca.org coordinates 200+ local YWCAs nationwide. Many operate emergency women's shelters, racial-justice programs, and economic-empowerment classes. Useful when you're relocating — find your destination's YWCA before you arrive. Free public directory.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Women's Funding Network — Free

Women's Funding Network at womensfundingnetwork.org links member funds (including the Women's Fund of RI) into a national community investing in women and girls. Their public reports document where philanthropic dollars are going and what gaps remain. Free public site.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Junior League — Free

The Association of Junior Leagues International at ajli.org is the umbrella for civic-volunteer organizations of women. The Junior League of Rhode Island in Providence runs training in nonprofit leadership and community projects in literacy and DV. Membership dues apply; some events open to non-members.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Soroptimist International — Free

Soroptimist at soroptimist.org awards Live Your Dream cash grants (

0k) to women heads of household pursuing education and career advancement. The RI clubs in Providence and South County host local award rounds annually. Application open every August at the national site. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Zonta International — Free

Zonta at zonta.org awards the Women in Business and Jane M. Klausman scholarships for women pursuing degrees in male-dominated fields, plus vocational-training grants. The Zonta Club of Newport hosts local mentorship in Aquidneck Island. Free to apply for scholarships.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in Rhode Island?: Women's Corner tracks 15 women's programs resources for women in Rhode Island.
Are women's programs resources in Rhode Island free?: 15 of the 15 listed women's programs resources in Rhode Island are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Rhode Island have women's programs resources?: Listings span cities including Woonsocket, Providence, Pawtucket.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in Rhode Island?: Featured entries include YWCA Rhode Island, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Dress for Success Providence, RI Commission on Women, Girls Inc. of Rhode Island.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 15 Rhode Island women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?: Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?: Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?: Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?: Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.