Each year, Family Service of Rhode Island brings together more than 500 leaders from across the state for a powerful, one-hour luncheon dedicated to building brighter futures for Rhode Island’s children and families. Together, we honor a visionary leader whose work advances health, equity, and opportunity for all children — and we come together in support of FSRI’s mission to create a healthier, more hopeful Rhode Island where every child and family can thrive.
For more than a century, Family Service of Rhode Island has been putting families first — meeting them where they are, listening to their needs, and providing compassionate, culturally responsive care when they need it most. Whether helping families navigate trauma, access critical behavioral health services, secure stable housing, or connect to educational and economic opportunities, FSRI’s programs are built to strengthen and uplift every member of the family. We focus our work in four areas; Health, Hope, Home and Healing. Our dedicated team of more than 350, works alongside families to break down barriers, build resilience, and create lasting pathways to brighter futures.
Chief Judge Forte has spent nearly four decades on the Rhode Island Family Court bench — the last ten as Chief Judge — guided by a simple belief: that the formal court system should be a last resort for young people, not a first response.
That belief has driven a quiet but remarkable record of reform. Under his leadership, juvenile diversion programs, hearing boards in core cities, and innovative alternatives like electronic monitoring have transformed how the court serves youth. The population at the Rhode Island Training School, once routinely above 100, rarely reaches 50 today.
Beyond juvenile justice, Chief Forte created the Family Treatment Drug Court, championed the establishment of a residential treatment center for girls in Exeter, and helped pass the Voluntary Extension of Care program supporting young adults aging out of foster care.
A longtime youth sports coach and Boy Scout volunteer, his commitment to young people has never been limited to the courtroom. Family Service of Rhode Island is proud to honor a leader whose life’s work reflects our shared belief that every child deserves a brighter future.
Chief Judge
Michael B. Forte
Contact: Frazier Bell
Director of Development
bellfr@familyserviceri.org
This new opportunity allows us to honor individuals interested in becoming a Brighter Futures sponsor. Individual community champions are a cornerstone to helping children and their families have a Brighter Future.
The Rhode Island Convention Center
1 Sabin Street.
Providence, RI 02903
Click here, to contact us about available seating.