{{Short description|American non-profit organization}} The '''George Wiley Center''' is an American non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1981.<ref name="SU News">{{cite web|last1=Blust|first1=Erica|title=News Home SU News Legacy of civil rights activist George Wiley honored at 12th annual Sojourner Storytelling Conference March 24–25|url=http://www.syr.edu/news/articles/2010/george-wiley-03-10.html|website=SU News|publisher=Syracuse University|accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref> Named after chemist and civil rights activist George Wiley, the organization was founded by Henry Shelton, a social activist, and is based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.<ref name="SU News" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.georgewileycenter.org/#!history/c133a|publisher=George Wiley Center|accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref> Its stated mission is "local community organizing" to create "social and economic justice through changes in public policy".<ref>{{cite web|title=George Wiley Center|url=https://www.loc.gov/folklife/civilrights/survey/view_repository.php?rep_id=2318|website=The Civil Rights History Project: Survey of Collections and Repositories|publisher=The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress|accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref>
The organization advocates on behalf of low-income residents of Rhode Island, primarily focusing on issues regarding utilities such as electricity and natural gas.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McConnell|first1=Robert J.|title=Motion of George Wiley Center to Intervene as a Full Party|url=http://www.ripuc.org/eventsactions/docket/4323-GWC-Intervene%206-22-12.pdf|publisher=Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission|accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref> In December 2013, the George Wiley Center organized a successful petition for the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to postpone a vote and hold further hearings on proposed changes to residential electricity and natural gas service regulations, which would have narrowed eligibility for "protected status" and shortened the Winter Moratorium, the period when utility customers are protected from having their utilities shut off.<ref name=ProJo2013>{{cite news|last1=Kuffner|first1=Alex|title=Advocates for poor concerned about proposed rules changes on Rhode Island utility shutoffs|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131211-advocates-for-poor-concerned-about-proposed-rules-changes-on-rhode-island-utility-shutoffs.ece|accessdate=22 February 2015|work=Providence Journal|publisher=Gatehouse Media|date=11 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="Warwick Beacon">{{cite news|last1=Bower|first1=Matt|title=PUC delays vote on termination rules|url=http://warwickonline.com/stories/PUC-delays-vote-on-termination-rules,88487|accessdate=22 February 2015|work=Warwick Beacon|date=24 December 2013}}</ref> In December 2014, representatives from the organization were among the speakers questioning electricity rate increases at a hearing at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission's offices.<ref name=ProJo2014>{{cite news|last1=Kuffner|first1=Alex|title=Despite outcry over hike in R.I. electric rates, National Grid tells state panel it has no choice|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20141216-despite-outcry-over-hike-in-r.i.-electric-rates-national-grid-tells-state-panel-it-has-no-choice.ece|accessdate=22 February 2015|work=Providence Journal|publisher=Gatehouse Media|date=16 December 2014}}</ref>
The Henry Shelton Act, named after its primary advocate and George Wiley Center founder Henry Shelton, was signed into law in July 2011. It went into effect on October 15, 2011. The law creates an "arrearage forgiveness program" for low-income households eligible for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that have had or are scheduled to have their utilities shut off.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baron |first1=Jim |title=Henry Shelton applauded as bill signed into law |url=http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/henry-shelton-applauded-bill-signed-law |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150222052842/http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/henry-shelton-applauded-bill-signed-law |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2015 |accessdate=22 February 2015 |work=The Pawtucket Times |date=28 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Henry Shelton Act|url=http://www.ripuc.org/consumerinfo/The%20Henry%20Shelton%20Act_1.pdf|website=ripuc.org|publisher=Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission|accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref>
The organization has a staff of two people, in addition to a body of volunteers and interns. The Wiley Center's coordinator role was filled by Camilo Viveiros in 2016. He joined as an organizer in 2012 and has over 25 years of community organizing experience. On June 8, 2019, members of the George Wiley Center announced the formation of a new board reflective of the community. The new board looks forward to continued grassroots organizing in support of social, economic, and racial justice.<ref>Homepage https://www.georgewileycenter.org/ Retrieved 8 June 2019</ref>
== References == <!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using<ref></ref> tags, these references will then appear here automatically --> {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.georgewileycenter.org/ George Wiley Center Official Website]
<!--- Categories ---> Category:Civic and political organizations of the United States Category:501(c)(3) organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Rhode Island