Last night, the State of Rhode Island lost one of its most passionate advocates. Last night, the State of Rhode Island lost one of the most courageous men that I have ever personally known. Last night, John Joyce, co-founder of the RI Homeless Advocacy Project, lost his battle with cancer. Ironically, John Joyce’s life-work was always about tomorrow night.

I have known John Joyce since the days of layups and pressure defenses of St. Rose of Lima CYO youth basketball. In those days John was referred to as Johnnie. Back then, our futures seemed bright and as carefree as the smooth release Johnnie had on his jump shot. We came from similar families – Irish working-class and of modest means. During high school our paths diverted and for more than 35 years our paths did not cross, until one day on the second floor of the Rhode Island State House. We became reacquainted that day and I subsequently learned of the difficult path John’s life had taken. I learned how John had become advocate for homeless people in Rhode Island.  From that day on I looked forward to those brief hallway moments talking with John. For the next several years I watched John work the hallways and the committee rooms at the State House. I watched him button-hole various legislators while he made his argument. I found myself, very often, just watching him do his passionate and courageous work. We were a long way away from playing basketball in the St. Rose of Lima gym.

John Joyce was a passionate fighter and a courageous advocate and, I dare say, a very effective lobbyist. During the homeless bill of rights battle I watched John give an incredible speech in the Rotunda of the State House. I have seen hundreds of people give speeches in the Rotunda, but none moved me like John’s did that day. After John’s speech ended and the rally broke up, our paths crossed again on the second floor of the State House, just like they did that first day. I told John his speech was incredible and he was courageous to fight for what he believed in. I let him know I was inspired by him. As I stood there with my eyes filled up with tears, John flashed a big smile and said, “Look at us two kids from Warwick making a difference.”

There have been times throughout my career that I have wondered if I have made a difference, but hearing that from a man who I believed with all my heart had made a difference, I was reassured.

Last June, during one of the last nights of the General Assembly session, John and I were sitting in the House gallery. I remember it was warm and very humid.  John told me about his next battle – beating cancer.  John said he believed that he would beat the terrible disease, explaining that he had won all the previous battles in his life and he would beat his cancer battle, too.  Again, John displayed the incredible courage that he possessed.

Last night, we lost one of the most courageous men that I have known.  My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to John’s family and friends.

John, may you rest in peace!

-Frank

CASE STUDY:  Saving Rhode Island’s First Charter Public School

CLIENT:  Academy for Career Exploration (formerly known as the Textron Chamber of Commerce Providence Public Charter School)

ISSUE:  Citing poor math performance and inadequate leadership, in June 2012, the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommended the closure of the Academy for Career (ACE), Rhode Island’s first charter public school. With the recommendation issued at the end of the academic year, ACE faced an uphill battle of pleading its case before the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, without the ability to easily contact and engage the school’s students, parents and faculty during their summer vacation. Facing panicked students and faculty members as the media continued to report the news and word of mouth spread, ACE’s leadership engaged Advocacy Solutions to lead its crisis communications, proactive public relations and advocacy strategy to keep the school open.

CAMPAIGN:  To help keep ACE’s doors open and maintain its reputation and credibility, Advocacy Solutions:

• Developed and executed an integrated public affairs plan to educate community and political stakeholders about the school and support its charter renewal.

• Managed proactive and reactive media outreach to local and state media outlets to promote positive information about the school and respond to misinformation.

• Advised and provided communications and political strategy support to prepare school leadership for media inquiries, interviews and outreach to local and state decision-makers.

• Held training sessions on public policy advocacy and media/messaging for board members, teachers and faculty, as well as students, parents and school supporters.

• Created and maintained the “Friends of ACE” Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FriendsofACE) to facilitate communication with school supporters and community members over summer 2012.

• Developed supportive school collateral and strategic communications documents, including talking points and testimony, sample letters to the editor, op-eds, media advisories and press releases, as well as internal communications materials.

RESULTS:  ACE received a groundswell of support from its faculty and staff, students and families, the media and local decision-makers. After making over 85 positive local and state media impressions, recruiting nearly 100 active Facebook supporters and engaging hundreds of community members to attend and testify at Board of Regents meetings, the Board of Regents unanimously voted to defer the Department’s recommendation and grant the school a conditional renewal for two years.

It is with mixed emotions today that we say goodbye to our longtime colleague and Advocacy Solutions staffer, Chris Hunter. Chris will join Boston-based Mass Insight Global Partnerships as their new director of projects and strategy. Chris is one of the most strategic, passionate and intelligent people we have had the pleasure of working with, and we will miss the energy that he brings to our office and our clients. On behalf of the entire Advocacy Solutions team, we wish Chris the best of luck and thank him for his years of outstanding service.

Opening Day in the Senate Chamber

It’s the first week of the new year and the 2013 General Assembly session.  Here are some quick facts about the session:

Who:

Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed and House Speaker Gordon Fox will resume their leadership roles following this week’s re-election. Sen. Dominick Ruggerio and Rep. Nick Mattiello will also continue to serve as Majority Leaders in their respective chambers. Committee assignments and Chair positions are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

What:

Following the 2012 election, the Democratic majority strengthened with Democrats adding 3 seats in the Senate and 4 on the House side.

When:

The session formally began on January 1, 2012.

• The Governor’s State of the State has been scheduled for January 16, 2013, where the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget is expected to be presented.
• Winter and Spring recesses coincide with school vacation weeks in February and April.
• Last day for Senate and House public bill introductions is expected to be February 14, 2013, just prior to their winter recess.
• Last day for Senate consideration of Senate bills and House consideration of House bills (i.e. the “crossover date”) is expected to be April 11, 2013, just prior to their spring recess

We’re looking forward to a great 2013 session! For more information, please contact any one of our team members. Cheers to the new year!

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” – Ruth Carter Stapleton

At Advocacy Solutions, each year we select a charitable organization to work with, and play the role of “Secret Santa” to help struggling families put presents under their tree. We all look forward to giving a donation to those who are less fortunate. Our goal is to put a smile on their faces and bring joy to their holiday season.

This year, we chose Whitmarsh House, a Providence non-profit agency that serves at-risk youth. There are currently 60 boys and young men, ages 12-20, receiving residential, educational and treatment services in group homes, an independent living program and a residential program for adults with developmental disabilities.

We were happy to buy gifts for five young men from Whitmarsh House – all of whom are disabled and have been in the foster system their whole lives. We were saddened and touched to hear that when the gifts were delivered, one of the boys said to his caretaker, “Why do these people want to give to us?”

With the craziness of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas, which Ruth Carter Stapleton articulated so well. We are happy to carry on our tradition of sharing the light of Christmas and bringing joy to others this holiday season.