Dear Friends,

June was an important month for Justice Assistance as we celebrated the official opening and dedication of JA Health & Wellness, our integrated primary care and behavioral health clinic. This milestone represents a major step forward in our mission to provide justice-involved Rhode Islanders with practical, accessible, and informed care.

Last week, we proudly dedicated this new clinic to Barbara Papitto and John Tarantino. Their long-standing belief in Justice Assistance and our clients has empowered our agency to grow into a multi-faceted service provider offering housing, healthcare, legal support, and wrap-around case management services to more than 3,000 individuals annually.

We are now accepting new patients for primary care and behavioral health services at JA Health & Wellness. Referrals can be made by contacting Elizaida Chandler, our Medical Assistance and Patient Care Specialist. Whether you are a potential patient, clinician, case manager, judge, or family member, we are here to connect people in need with the care they deserve.

In July, we are offering several opportunities to stay connected with our work, including registration for our upcoming Bridging Community & Justice conference with the Brown School of Public Health, summer dental clinics through our partnership with CareLink Mobile Dentistry, continued expungement clinics, and quarterly CORES programming.

We are also preparing to share an important update with residents of our Smith Hill Homes through the first Renters’ Wealth Fund distribution, which is our commitment to returning value directly to the families who are part of our Habitat for Justice community.

Thank you, as always, for believing in Justice Assistance and in the people we serve.

Many thanks,

Jake Bissaillon

CEO

Justice Assistance

JA Health & Wellness:

Dedicated to Barbara Papitto and John Tarantino

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Monday to celebrate the official opening and dedication of JA Health & Wellness, our new integrated primary care and behavioral health clinic. This milestone has been several years in the making, and it reflects the commitment of our Board of Directors, our staff, our partners, and the many supporters who continue to believe in Justice Assistance and the people we serve.

For more than four decades, Justice Assistance has provided high‑quality services to Rhode Island’s justice‑involved individuals. The launch of JA Health & Wellness marks a significant expansion of that mission. Our clinical and medical teams are ready to support individuals seeking care, with a focus on empowering every patient with the tools and resources they need to take charge of their health.

The clinic is dedicated to Barbara Papitto, John Tarantino, and the Papitto Opportunity Connection, whose longstanding support has strengthened our work and expanded opportunities for justice‑involved people. We look forward to providing compassionate, accessible care to both new and existing patients. For service details or referral information, please visit our website or explore JA Health & Wellness!



Your Support Matters!

Highlighting One Patient's Perspective & Growth at JA Health & Wellness


After leaving incarceration after over 30 years in 2025, she (name withheld intentionally) stepped into a world that felt unfamiliar and overwhelming. Society had changed, technology had advanced, and she wasn’t sure how people would treat her. She knew she needed help adjusting to a completely different way of life, "I had a goal and I needed help, so I persisted and finally found Justice Assistance."

She remembers walking through the doors for the first time: “People were so friendly, treated me with respect, and made me feel comfortable — something I wasn’t used to after coming out of jail.” What she found wasn’t just a program, but a community ready to meet her where she was.

Monique helped her navigate housing applications, giving her the stability she desperately needed. Lissette worked with her on a résumé, job applications, and rebuilding her confidence. When she shared she want to go to culinary school, the team didn’t hesitate — they found a program, helped her enroll, and supported her every step of the way. Today, she proudly holds a culinary arts certification and a good job in the healthcare sector, a career she never imagined she could access.

Her counselor, Fran, helped her work through the emotional weight and insecurities that come with reentering society. Ellie, the Patient Care Specialist, patiently guided her whenever she felt lost or unsure. She says every person at Justice Assistance “has a different task, but they come together to help anyone who needs it.”

Even now, she knows she can call anytime with a question or concern, and someone will be there. “I don’t know what kind of life I would have had if Justice Assistance hadn’t been there. I’m so glad I found this place — it saved me in so many ways.”

"Today they are still helping me out in any way that I need. If I have a question, I know that I can call them and they will never turn me down. I will always appreciate every single person in this place."

Bridging Community & Justice: Registration Now Open

We’re thrilled to announce that registration is officially open for our second annual conference with the Brown School of Public Health, "Bridging Community & Justice: Partnerships to Transform Health Access." Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 23rd for an inspiring, (free) full‑day event dedicated to reshaping how our state supports the health of justice‑involved individuals.

This is more than a conference. It’s a movement.

Across Rhode Island, leaders in healthcare, behavioral health, corrections, public health, and community advocacy are coming together to build a more equitable, connected, and compassionate system of care. This year’s event will empower participants to:



• Deepen understanding of the social, behavioral, and systemic forces driving health inequities for justice‑involved people.
• Gain practical tools to reduce bias and deliver trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, patient‑centered care.
• Center lived experience by elevating the voices of individuals who have been incarcerated to shape programs, policies, and care models.
• Advance real solutions for institutional and systemic reform that improves outcomes for marginalized communities.
• Build powerful partnerships across sectors to strengthen care transitions and improve system integration statewide.

This is your opportunity to connect with innovators, learn from experts, and be part of a statewide effort to transform health access for justice‑involved Rhode Islanders.

This conference has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers for 5.0 continuing education units (CEUs). In addition, Session 2 and Session 5 each qualify for 1.0 CEU in cross‑cultural practice. Attendance is free; however, participants seeking CEU credit will be charged $30 to receive the units. Payment will be taken at the event.

Click here to view the schedule and register!

Get Ready for Fall In The Summer

Summer is in full swing, and so is our programming. We began the season with an OSHA‑10 Training, where ten participants successfully completed the course. This training will continue to be offered quarterly, so keep an eye out for registration opportunities in the coming months.

Our Expungement Clinics will also continue into the fall. July’s clinic has reached capacity, but the August clinic still has openings for those interested. These clinics provide individuals with the opportunity to meet with an attorney to determine whether any past Rhode Island criminal cases may be eligible for sealing or expungement at no cost to participants. Attendees can also connect with Justice Assistance staff for additional support through our wraparound services program CORES or our integrated health clinic JA Health & Wellness.



In the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing several new programs, including a Hospitality Program designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of working in the hospitality industry, as well as a community night for our clients and patients. More details on these upcoming opportunities will be shared soon.

CLICK HERE to Register for Any JA Program Highlighted Below!

Expanding Access to Dental Care This Summer!

Through CareLink Mobile Dentistry, licensed dental professionals provide on-site services at JA Health & Wellness. These services include oral health assessments, cleanings and polishing, fluoride treatment, and other preventive supports.

Our new partnership with CareLink reflects the broader purpose of JA Health & Wellness: bringing practical, compassionate, and barrier-aware care directly to the people we serve. Oral health is closely connected to overall health, behavioral health, self-confidence, employability, and long-term stability, and these clinic days will help ensure that more Rhode Islanders can access care in a trusted, community-based setting.

Dental clinics will be held once a month over the summer on the following days:

• Friday, July 10
• Friday, August 21

Registration is open for our next two dates.

Register yourself or a client here.

Health & Wellness - Accepting New Patients!

JA Health & Wellness is accepting new patients for primary care and behavioral health services. Our team of licensed medical professionals are ready to provide compassionate, informed primary care for individuals who have been involved with the justice system.

To ease the referral process we have created an additional referral pathway. We have designed a referral pad that can be utilized by a clinician, case manager, probation officer, or any other support person to refer your client for any of our clinic services. If you are interested in receiving one of these pads please reply to this newsletter.

You may also fill out our Organization Referral Form or call (401) 781-0537 to speak with our Patient Care Specialist to schedule an appointment.

Now Open! Our Rental Application for Smith Hill Homes

Justice Assistance proudly operates 33 units of affordable housing in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as units become available. By becoming a JA tenant, you gain full access to our comprehensive network of support services, including JA Health & Wellness and CORES. Our goal is to provide not just housing, but a stable foundation for health, wellbeing, and long‑term success.

Click here for the application.

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee placement in a unit. Upon completion, applicants will be added to the property waitlist. As units become available, Stonelink will review the waitlist and contact eligible applicants accordingly.

If you need assistance with completing the application please contact our Community Health Worker, Monique, at MHarris@justiceassistance.org.