On a mission to build a better society: David Caprio ’91
Bryant alumnus uses his business background to operate a social service responsibly and help his community.
By helping others, we are essentially improving ourselves and our community says David Caprio ’91, executive director of Children’s Friend and Service, a social service agency in Providence, R.I. “I see how important it is to support families to overcome obstacles. We all need to reach out to better the world in which we live.”
By the numbers
Some may view Caprio’s career in social services as far removed from his accounting background, but he disagrees. “Whether an organization is for profit or not for profit, it still needs to operate in a prudent manner, including financially, or it will not meet its mission for the long term,” he says. “The business background I received from Bryant prepared me to think critically, solve problems quickly, and, above all, ask comprehensive questions. All of those skills are extremely important in my job.”
Children’s Friend and Service supports families bycreating safe and nurturing environments for children during the crucial early years, and by helping parents gain access to the resources, education, and support that they need. And, like all responsible organizations, it measures the progress it’s made toward goals it sets for thechildren and families they serve so that it can continually improve the programs offered.
In his position, Caprio doesn’t get to see the impact firsthand, but finds that hearing about the families who were positively affected by the support of the organization is extremely rewarding. “I see lots of statistics about the global impact we are making as an agency, but hearing the specific examples reinforces that if we invest time and resources in our vulnerable children early in life, we can work to avoid problems,” he says.
An ounce of prevention
According to Caprio, early intervention or prevention is the best way to rid the world of some of society’s biggest problems. “World-renowned economists have documented the benefits of addressing the cause, rather than the result,” he says. “A reduction in crime rates and the need for special education are just two of the positive outcomes to be gained through our agency’s work.”
Caprio’s passion for his profession and his agency’s efforts is evident through his involvement in many different associations that work toward improving the well-being of children nationally and locally. He is a member of the Chief Executive Officers’ (CEO) affinity group in the Child Welfare League of America, the Rhode Island Early Childhood Investment Council, the Providence School Readiness Planning Team for the United Way, and the Rhode Island Coalition Steering Committee for the Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College, among others.
This married father of two is committed to bettering his community. “It’s gratifying to be part of a team that has a lasting, positive, and direct impact on at-risk children and families.”
By the numbers
Some may view Caprio’s career in social services as far removed from his accounting background, but he disagrees. “Whether an organization is for profit or not for profit, it still needs to operate in a prudent manner, including financially, or it will not meet its mission for the long term,” he says. “The business background I received from Bryant prepared me to think critically, solve problems quickly, and, above all, ask comprehensive questions. All of those skills are extremely important in my job.”
Children’s Friend and Service supports families bycreating safe and nurturing environments for children during the crucial early years, and by helping parents gain access to the resources, education, and support that they need. And, like all responsible organizations, it measures the progress it’s made toward goals it sets for thechildren and families they serve so that it can continually improve the programs offered.
In his position, Caprio doesn’t get to see the impact firsthand, but finds that hearing about the families who were positively affected by the support of the organization is extremely rewarding. “I see lots of statistics about the global impact we are making as an agency, but hearing the specific examples reinforces that if we invest time and resources in our vulnerable children early in life, we can work to avoid problems,” he says.
An ounce of prevention
According to Caprio, early intervention or prevention is the best way to rid the world of some of society’s biggest problems. “World-renowned economists have documented the benefits of addressing the cause, rather than the result,” he says. “A reduction in crime rates and the need for special education are just two of the positive outcomes to be gained through our agency’s work.”
Caprio’s passion for his profession and his agency’s efforts is evident through his involvement in many different associations that work toward improving the well-being of children nationally and locally. He is a member of the Chief Executive Officers’ (CEO) affinity group in the Child Welfare League of America, the Rhode Island Early Childhood Investment Council, the Providence School Readiness Planning Team for the United Way, and the Rhode Island Coalition Steering Committee for the Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College, among others.
This married father of two is committed to bettering his community. “It’s gratifying to be part of a team that has a lasting, positive, and direct impact on at-risk children and families.”
