With the ever-increasing emphasis on academic achievement, it’s easy to forget that the arts, culture and sports are an integral part of childhood and youth development. Enrichment helps your child more fully appreciate the community and their role in it. Below, you will find links to agencies and organizations that provide enrichment opportunities as well as academic support programs for your inquisitive and talented child.

A primary resource is the Rhode Island Afterschool Alliance’s Youth Opportunities Guide which lists statewide opportunities in: Academics & Learning; Arts & Music; College Prep; Community Action & Leadership; Faith & Religion; Full Service Youth Programs; Health & Yourself; Jobs, Internships & Job Training; Mentoring & Tutoring; Science & the Environment; Sports & Recreation; and Summer Camps.
http://mypasa.org/?id=1069


Academic Support

The Rhode Island Children's Crusade for Higher Education's mission is to increase educational and career success for youth in Rhode Island’s low-income communities.
http://www.childrenscrusade.org/main/

Computer Whiz Kids Program
Verizon and the Providence Public Library have joined together to offer free, high-quality computer classes for children.
http://www.provlib.org/happening/kidsandteens/programs/whizkids/whizkidsbye/pages/when.html

RI Tutorial & Educational Services offers private, one-on-one tutoring and summer programs to children and teens across Rhode Island.
http://www.ritutorial.com/

SAT or ACT Preparation service listings and information from the Rhode Island Office of Higher Education.
http://www.ribghe.org/sat-act.htm

The Urban League of Rhode Island works daily with children and youth to enable them to be successful and competitive in workplaces, and to turn away from drugs and crime. The League's youth programs emphasize skill development and self-esteem, teaching youth to be role models for other children.
http://www.providence.edu/afro/students/genao/league.htm

YouthBuild programs engage unemployed young men and women, most of whom have not completed high school and all of whom come from low-income families.
http://www.youthbuild.org/site/c.htIRI3PIKoG/b.1223921/k.BD3C/Home.htm


Theatre, Visual Arts, Performing Arts

All Children’s Theatre (ACT) is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to the education and enrichment of children ages 4-18.
http://www.actinri.org/

The AS220 Broad Street Studio is a transitional arts program that employs and engages Rhode Island youth, but focuses specifically on those recently released from the state's juvenile detention facility, the Rhode Island Training School (R.I.T.S.), and those under the wing of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
http://www.as220.org/bss/

The Courthouse Center for the Arts offers the community of Southern Rhode Island accessible, affordable arts, and educational programs for adults and children.
http://www.courthousearts.org/index1.html

Everett Dance Theatre
Everett builds long-term relationships with inner-city youth through professional mentorship, which includes the opportunity to create and perform original work.
http://www.everettdancetheatre.org/ch_school.html

The Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education is recognized in Rhode Island as the premier school for young and aspiring classical ballet dancers.
http://www.festivalballet.com/

List Academy of Music & Arts is dedicated to the development and appreciation of the performing arts for all individuals, beginner to advanced, from newborn to elder, from all walks of life.
http://www.listacademy.com/

Looking Glass Theatre is a not-for-profit, nationally recognized children's theatre performing before hundreds of young audiences each season as we tour the New England states and beyond.
http://www.lookingglasstouringtheatre.org/

The Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic actively encourages lifelong involvement with music for all people of Southeastern New England by offering a program of music-based arts education in a nurturing environment.
http://www.ri-philharmonic.org/music-school/index.html

The Newport Arts Museum offers classes for all ages and abilities throughout the year.
http://www.newportartmuseum.com/education.html

Ocean State Children's Choir: “Awakening the artistry in every child..."
http://www.oceanstatechildrenschoir.com/

Perishable Theatre Arts School has connected top area professionals with the Rhode Island community since 1989. It offers a nurturing environment for those new to theatre performance while providing seasoned actors with a place to polish and enhance their skills.
http://www.perishable.org/

Rhode Island School of Design offers a variety of engaging educational programs for children, teens and families.
http://www.risd.edu/kids_teens.cfm

RiverzEdge Arts Project offers inner-city youth a program of artistic development, entrepreneurship education, and leadership training.
http://www.riverzedgearts.org/

South County Players Children’s Theatre offers many different programs for children.
http://www.southkingstown.com/scpct/mission.html


Community Service

City Year unites young people of all backgrounds, ages 17-24, for a demanding year of community service and leadership development.
http://www.cityyear.org/

Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc. is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls – all girls – where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.
http://www.gsri.org/matriarch/default.asp

The mission of the Institute for Study and Practice of Nonviolence is to teach by word and example the principles and practices of nonviolence, and to foster a community that addresses potentially violent situations with nonviolent solutions.
http://www.nonviolenceinstitute.org/

The Volunteer Center of Rhode Island has hundreds of unique volunteer opportunities for you to consider.
http://www.vcri.org/matriarch/default.asp

Youth In Action supports ordinary urban youth to transform into extraordinary community leaders, through offering advanced leadership training and intensive individual support in a family environment.
http://www.youthinactionri.org/


Academic Subjects

Providence Children’s Museum is an active place where kids and grown ups play and learn together.
http://www.childrenmuseum.org/htdocs/specialprogramsmain.html

Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) is a science and math academic enrichment after-school program in partnership between The University of Rhode Island and school districts. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority and educationaly disadvantaged students who graduate from high school qualified to go on to higher education and pursue career in science, math, engineering and health professions.
http://www.uri.edu/smile/


Athletics

The Rhode Island Disabilities Council sponsors On-line Connections; a host of opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to participate in sports and other indoor and outdoor physical activity.
http://www.riddc.org/athletics.shtml