RIOT Rhode Island

RIOT RI has been writing an anthem, and we need you to help us write it. 

This year, we all had to reimagine what an anthem is, and what it sounds like. Ours has been the sound of all of us coming together to co-write a constantly evolving anthem full of all of our voices and all of our sounds as we redefine what it means to be together. Our anthem is rising all over. 

There has been music, of course! Our instrument lessons continued this year, as well as our gear loan program and music theory sessions. Our anthem has also included the sounds of the connections and stories that arose out of our mentorship program, our Pass the Mic program (in which youth participants took over our social media to make noise on a digital platform),  and even out of our focus groups and roundtables.

Our youth participants told us what they value: the opportunity to know their identities will be accepted, to have a community where there are good folks to talk to, to get that therapeutic moment of sitting down with an instrument and just seeing what happens. The anthem is in the sounds of opening our doors again, of learning new names of new friends, of the hum of confidence building when we find communities where we finally feel we belong. They’re the sounds of all of us asking: what happens next?

Here's what our youth participants had to say about RIOT programming out our roundtable discussion this past summer:

"I would describe RIOT RI as a fun and safe space for everyone regardless of how they may identify"

"Social anxiety was a huge part of [life] for me but when I did the program last summer everyone made me so comfortable"

"I think the most important thing riot does is provide a safe space for everyone to be accepted"

"I tend to get very overstimulated by social interaction, and riot has been a safe space for me to go in those situations...It's a space [to go] after a long day of school, or if something is happening...It's therapeutic to have an instrument and there are really good people to talk to if you’re going through something."

"[RIOT is] a program that promotes inclusivity, validation and is of accepting of everyone"

"RIOT has always felt like a place of love, acceptance, and safety which is incredibly unique if that wasn’t present it wouldn’t be RIOT"

"It’s all just really fun!"

We've crunched this numbers, and this year alone YOUR support has made RIOT's empowering programming possible for more than 285 participants! Here's what we found when we went digging:

—80 Music Lesson and Music Mentorship participants

—38 scholarships provided

—158 Instruments loaned out through our Gear Loan Library

—50 in person Showcase, recital, and benefit show audience members

—2500 virtual Showcase, recital, and benefit show audience members

—17 reliable teaching jobs for working artists

We need YOU to make sure that RIOT RI’s programming will be around to help youth empower themselves in 2029. YOU know how important the space created at RIOT is for youth to find others like them and to feel the confidence and power that brings. YOU know how important it is to find a space where they are encouraged to get loud and stand up for what they believe, despite the messages they may receive from the news. YOU know how important it is to donate to support this program and for it to exist year-round and into the future.

YOU can become a sustainer by giving monthly to fight against the headlines and support  RIOT RI. Just $10/month buys a guitar for our Gear Loan program, $20/month provides Group Music Lessons for one participant, or $30/month pays rent on our headquarters for one week!

YOU can donate safely and securely via Mightycause or write a check payable to RIOT Rhode Island at 763R Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903.

Thank you for your support!

The Staff and Board of RIOT RI