Share Your Voice!

Every 10 years the City of Providence updates its Comprehensive Plan.

Among other things, the Plan guides the City’s zoning code, which dictates what kinds of buildings can be built where, how much parking they need, how many units, etc. 

Housing affordability is a top priority for the WBNA, and since zoning and affordability are closely linked, the WBNA is conducting this survey to consider how to advocate for a Comprehensive Plan that makes the neighborhood more affordable without compromising the things that residents value most about the neighborhood.

Complete our survey here!

Providence Electricity Program Explained

Many of you have asked for more information about the new program being rolled out by the city. Our Councilwoman, Rachel Miller, put out the following information in her most recent e-newsletter.

From Councilwoman Miller: “Here's a good starting point for some questions you might have - I'm sharing from Ward 3 Councilor Sue AnderBois (and former Chair of the Providence Sustainability Commission) and from Kevin Proft - Providence's Acting Director of the Sustainability (thank you both!).”

1. What is Community Choice Aggregation?
Community Choice Aggregation allows cities and towns to purchase electricity supply competitively on behalf of their residents.

2. What is Providence Community Electricity?
Providence Community Electricity (PCE) is the City’s new electricity supply program. By aggregating customer accounts from Providence and six other Rhode Island cities and towns, the program has enough buying power to buy electricity from generators at rates that are competitive with or (ideally) lower than RI Energy’s supply service, while also sourcing more energy from regional renewable energy projects. At launch, the standard rate is about 9% cheaper than the utility’s rate and includes 5% more renewable energy.
The goal of Providence Community Electricity is to use our aggregated buying power to
purchase electricity more cheaply and from more local renewable sources.


3. Can you opt out? & How?

PCE is an automatic enrollment program. This type of program is enabled by State law and was approved by the Providence City Council in July 2020. The reason we use an automatic enrollment program is that it provides the program with the buying power needed to negotiate favorable rates for the community.

You may opt out of the program at any time, without penalty. If you opt out before April 11, 2023 you will never be enrolled in the program. If you opt out after that date, you will be reverted to RI Energy in the following billing cycle.

You may opt out of the program in three ways: (1) complete the opt-out form included with the notification letter recently sent to impacted customers and mail it back via the pre-paid and pre-addressed envelop, (2) Call Providence's supplier, NextEra Energy Services Rhode Island, LLC at (888) 387-1084. This is a call center specific to RI’s program, not NextEra’s main call center. (3) Submit the opt-out form here.

4. Should I opt out?
Right now - if you use RI Energy's Budget Billing, you may want to opt out until the issue that Kevin outlined here is resolved. Until it is resolved, your budget billing plan will only cover a portion of your bill.

At launch, Budget Billing – which allows customers to spread their utility costs evenly over billing periods to avoid price swings in winter and summer – will only be available for delivery costs. There are two parts to your utility bill – supply and delivery. The City is moving customers to a new supplier, but delivery will remain the responsibility of RI Energy. While PCE customers will continue to receive just one bill from RI Energy, there is a disagreement between the City, its consultant, and the PUC and RI Energy about whether RI Energy needs to continue to extend the budget billing option to supply costs. In our opinion it does. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible, but it will, unfortunately not be resolved before launch.

5. Are there any downsides?
A potential downside is that the City cannot guarantee that PCE’s rate will always be lower than RI Energy’s. The initial rate is locked in for six months. Like all electricity suppliers, including RI Energy, Providence's supplier must periodically enter into new supply contracts. The new contracts result in adjusted rates that reflect current market conditions. The City is confident that our supplier will regularly deliver comparable or cheaper rates compared to RI Energy, while also sourcing more electricity from renewable projects. Remember, it is in our suppliers interest to do so, as customers will begin to opt-out if they do not deliver on these goals, and customers can opt-out at any time.

6. Will this program always be cheaper?

The goal of Providence Community Electricity is to provide a stable and cost competitive supply rate compared to RI Energy’s rate. While Providence Community Electricity is less expensive than the utility-offered service at launch, savings compared to the utility rate cannot be guaranteed in every contract period going forward. That said, Good Energy – the City’s consulting partner for this program – has secured savings for its approximately 50 active clients in Massachusetts over the course of each of those programs. Remember, if you are dissatisfied with Providence Community Electricity’s performance, you may always opt out at any time, without penalty.

7. Will this program really source more energy from renewables?

NextEra was directed by participating municipalities to procure electricity with a greater amount of local renewable energy than is required by State law. Doing so increases demand for renewable energy credits (RECs) - specifically RI New RECs. In New England, increased demand for RECs has translated into greater development of new renewable energy generation.

Get your questions answered…

See the city’s Community Electricity website here.

Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6 pm. Mayor Smiley's administration is hosting a Q & A. Virtual only Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84119813584 Zoom Meeting ID: 841 1981 3584 Phone: +1 309 205 3325 US, or 833 548 0276 US Toll-free

Armory Press Release

February 24, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:

Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications,
Providence City Council
401.486.5646

Joint Statement from Elected Leaders and Community Partners on the Future of the Cranston Street Armory

City Council President Rachel Miller, Senator Sam Bell, Representative Enrique Sanchez, and Rebecca Atwood, President of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, met with Housing Secretary Pryor

Providence, RI - On Thursday night, we had a conversation with state Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor. We were joined by Eileen Hayes from Amos House, a current resident of the warming center, leadership from the National Guard as well as a representative from the Rhode Island Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), the state entity in charge of the Armory. Secretary Pryor committed to joining us at a public community meeting about both the warming shelter and the future vision for the armory within three weeks. We will keep the community posted as soon as we have a date. We encourage neighborhood residents and guests at the Armory to attend to share their views. We also agreed that all parties will be making their best efforts to fully phase out the warming shelter at the Armory in April. Secretary Pryor confirmed that there would be no permanent shelter at the Armory, and he and others present reflected the state’s enthusiasm for the Scout development of the Armory, which has been in discussion with the state for several years (for more information about the Scout development plans, see the community meeting in December). CEO of Amos House, Eileen Hayes, also shared that Amos House will not run this facility as a permanent or semi-permanent shelter, as it is not the right solution for the homelessness crisis.

The Providence City Council is committed to working with our state partners, the Secretary of Housing and the Department of Administration to find the most humane solution to care for the guests at the Armory while the facility remains open.

24 de febrero de 2023

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

Contacto:

Parker Gavigan, Director de Comunicaciones
Providence City Council
401.486.5646

Declaración Conjunta De Líderes Electos Y Socios Comunitarios Sobre El Futuro De Cranston Street Armory

La presidenta del Concejo Municipal, Rachel Miller, el senador Sam Bell, el representante Enrique Sánchez y Rebecca Atwood, presidenta de la Asociación de Vecinos de West Broadway, se reunieron con el secretario de Vivienda, Pryor

Providence, RI - El jueves por la noche, tuvimos una conversación con el secretario de Vivienda del estado, Stefan Pryor. Nos acompañaron Eileen Hayes de Amos House, un residente actual del centro de calentamiento, y líderes de la Guardia Nacional, así como un representante de la División de Administración y Mantenimiento de Activos de Capital de Rhode Island (DCAMM), la entidad estatal a cargo de la Armería. El secretario Pryor se comprometió a unirse a nosotros en una reunión comunitaria pública sobre el refugio de calentamiento y la visión futura de la armería dentro de tres semanas. Mantendremos informada a la comunidad tan pronto como tengamos una fecha. Recomendamos a los residentes del vecindario y a los invitados de la Armería a que asistan para compartir sus puntos de vista. También acordamos que todas las partes harán sus mejores esfuerzos para eliminar por completo el refugio de calentamiento en la Armería en abril. El secretario Pryor confirmó que no habría un refugio permanente en la Armería, y él y otros presentes reflejaron el entusiasmo del estado por el desarrollo Scout de la Armería, que ha estado en discusión con el estado durante varios años (para obtener más información sobre los planes del desarrollo Scout, ver la reunión de la comunidad en diciembre). La directora ejecutiva de Amos House, Eileen Hayes, también compartió que Amos House no administrará esta instalación como un refugio permanente o semipermanente, ya que no es la solución adecuada para la crisis de personas sin hogar.

El Concejo Municipal de Providence se compromete a trabajar con nuestros socios estatales, el secretario de Vivienda y el Departamento de Administración para encontrar la solución más humana para cuidar a los invitados en la Armería mientras las instalaciones permanecen abiertas.

 ###

Annual Meeting Recap

What a night it was...!

  • We celebrated the 25+ years of love and dedication Kari Lang gave to WBNA  as Executive Director; she received the Ken & Rebecca Phillips Award from Ken Phillips himself. The Award will henceforth be known as The Kari Lang Award!

  • We heard from Mayor Brett Smiley about his support for redevelopment of the Armory

  • We honored community groups and "school heroes": House of Hope’s “Shower to Empower” Program; Amos House for their work at the Armory; Groundwork RI; Liz Heald, School Counselor at Asa Messer Elementary, Lynn Dubois from West Broadway Middle School; and Rebecca Tetreault from Carl Lauro Elementary School.

  • We welcomed four new board members: Annie Brida, Sam Radov, Courtney Reardon, and Andres Montenegro Rosero!

  • We reviewed highlights of 2022 (you can read our script for the night here.)


Extending a HUGE THANK YOU to Pizza J and their fabulous staff for not only hosting us, but keeping us all fed and watered!

Ken Phillips and Kari Lang

Mayor Brett Smiley with Kari Lang

2023 Snow Parking Pilot Explained

Based on community and neighbor input, the city of Providence is rolling out "version 2.0" of their snow parking pilot program this winter. They will be testing out a variation of last year's pilot and expanding it into a few other neighborhoods. Originally conceived by neighbors and supported by the Department of Public Works, Councilor Rachel Miller and the WBNA, this project is meant to offer residents with overnight parking permits, the ability to leave their cars on certain city streets during emergency snow bans. 

For residents within the WBNA focus area parking will be allowed around the perimeter of Dexter Training Ground Park (on the park side but EXCLUDING Cranston St.) around Conlan Jr. Memorial Park.(behind firehouse on Union Ave.) and on Messer, Sycamore, Chapin, and Linwood. For a full explanation, click here.

A community meeting with Liza Farr, Curbside Administrator with the City of Providence, is being planned.

West Side Caroling Returns!

On Sunday, December 18, maestro Glenn Zienowicz and co-organizers Daniel George and
Chris Sanford will be leading carolers in song around the neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public.

5pm: Meetup at Lucky Enough (1492 Westminster St.) for drinks & warmup (voices)

5:50-6pm: Gather together in Great Northern BBQ parking lot (corner of Westminster/Parade St.) to warm up with a song

6pm: Depart for 2 hours of caroling along route (roughly Tobey St to Broadway and back to Westminster via Marshall St.)

8pm: End at Sin Bakery (1413 Westminster St.) for final song(s) and refreshments.

Cranston Street Armory UPDATE from 12/14/ meeting

On Wednesday, December 14 neighbors gathered at the WBNA to hear from elected officials about progress being made to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory. In addition to Senator Sam Bell, Representative-elect Enrique Sanchez and Councilor Rachel Miller, Everett Abitbol from Scout, Ltd. was present to share their firm’s vision for the Armory, El Castillo.

You may view the recording of the meeting here.

Halloween with WBNA

Halloween with WBNA

Spooky Season is almost upon us, is your costume ready? If not, we've got you covered! Together with Community Libraries of Providence and ReFocus, WBNA is hosting a series of costume-crafting workshops and open studios over the course of next month. See below for dates:

Knight Memorial Library: Monday, October 17, 3:00-4:00pm & Monday, October 24, 3:00-4:00pm
Olneyville Library: Wednesday, October 12, 4:00-5:30pm & Wednesday, October 19, 4:00-5:30pm
WBNA: Friday, October 21, 2:30-5:00pm & Friday, October 28, 2:30-5:00pm
ReFocus (pre-registration required): Friday, October 7, 5:30pm & Friday, October 14, 5:30pm

Then at the end of the month, join us at the WBNA/Haus of Codec Ghouls and Goblins Extravaganza on Saturday, October 29! Show off your costume and enter our costume contest, enjoy live music, go trick or treating in Dexter Park, and shop at the Haus of Codec marketplace. More details to come!

Join the virtual WBNA Candidates Night

Join the virtual WBNA Candidates Night

As the September 13 primary election approaches, WBNA Candidates Night is your chance to get to know the candidates vying to represent us in our state and city governments.

Submit your questions for our future (and current) elected officials via the form below, then join us via Zoom at 5:30 on Wednesday, September 7 to hear the answers!

Join the event at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89581405851

Building Affordable Housing in Our Backyard: Meet The Trainees

Building Affordable Housing in Our Backyard: Meet the Trainees

Last year, WBNA embarked on a new phase of our effort to increase the supply of affordable housing in the West End—by building it ourselves! In 2002 WBNA purchased a beautiful but neglected property at 1192 Westminster St. With the help of neighbors, local artists, and community partners we transformed it into a one-of-a-kind home which now contains a safe, affordable apartment as well as the office of the essential Childhood Lead Action Project.

The renovation of 1192 is one of our proudest accomplishments, but now we’re taking it a step further! For years, the building’s garage has sat unused. Now, with the help of Rhode Island Housing’s HOME funds, we’re converting the garage into an accessible and affordable Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

The garage conversion serves a number of purposes. First and foremost it will provide someone who needs it with a safe and affordable home so they can build a life without fearing they’ll lose the roof over their head. Not only is the apartment affordable, but it’s also designed accessibly so it can be rented to residents with disabilities. Finding quality low-income housing is already difficult in our city, and for disabled Providence residents it’s even harder to find a unit that can accommodate use of a wheelchair or other mobility aid.

Last, this project will demonstrate the important role ADU’s can play in addressing our state’s affordable housing crisis while promoting “gentle density” in the neighborhoods of Providence.

Construction on the project began in July led by Casa Buena Builders and directed by WBNA board member Noel Sanchez. We’re currently in the important process of framing up the unit’s interior. The project is also being used to train two apprentices for careers in masonry through a Providence Preservation Society training program.

Meet Sam (they/them) and John (he/him), the two PPS trainees working with Casa Buena to get this project done. PPS stopped by 1192 the other day to check in on their work and shared this report back:

“Sam and John have each been tackling different aspects of the renovation under the guidance of Noel.

Sam showed us how they’ve been repointing the brick on the weight bearing wall – a process that if done correctly can extend the life of a brick structure for years to come. The job has had its challenges, considering the dwelling’s proximity to the building next door and the speed in which nature starts to take over.

On the other side John showed us what it takes to repurpose a space that was initially intended for storage and update it to make it habitable by connecting it to the main sewage system.

You can discover more about our different trades programs and how to sign up by going directly to our website pvdpreservation.org.”

The project is now slated to be completed by the end of this year, but we need your help to get us over the finish line! Here you’ll find a list of materials and supplies we need to finish the conversion. If you currently have access to any of these supplies, or if you don’t but just want to pitch in to make this affordable unit a reality, please reach out to Noel Sanchez at office@casabuenabuilders.com

For us, this is about more than just putting an underutilized garage to good use. It’s about changing the way we look at space in our neighborhood and throughout Providence. It’s about prioritizing the needs of our community, with housing at the top of the list. It’s about building a future in which folks with deep roots in our communities are embraced by new development, not pushed out.

There’s so much more work to do on this front, but a big first step will be making our voices heard in the rewriting of the Providence City Plan this year. WBNA will be following this process closely and facilitating participation by neighbors. If you aren’t already subscribed click here to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media @wbnapvd to get all the latest updates.

Our First Garden Stroll (Photos)

The first ever WBNA Garden Stroll was a huge success! Hundreds of attendees flocked from across Providence and Rhode Island to see dozens of beautiful gardens, participate in workshops, and get to know our neighbors.

Thanks to the enthusiastic response we’ve received from both attendees and participating gardeners, we’re going to make the Garden Stroll an annual event! If you attended the Stroll please take 5 minutes to let us know how it went and help us make it even bigger and better next year by filling out this feedback form.

Check out this slideshow of photos from the day, and tag @wbnapvd in photos on social media to add your own!

Photos courtesy of Peter Van Noppen and Martha Kuhlman

The Garden Stroll is Here!

Saturday, June 25 will be WBNA’s first ever Garden Stroll. As spring blooms in Providence, we’ve all caught glimpses of the beautiful flowers, herbs, and vegetables growing in our neighbors’ gardens or living rooms. This year, we’re giving everyone a chance to get a closer look, while also getting to know their neighbors!

For those who have participated in a WBNA Yard Sale Day, the logistics will be familiar. On the day of the Garden Stroll neighbors can stop by WBNA between 10am and 2pm to pick up a map of all the participating gardens, then set out to chart their own path through the neighborhood blooms. Several local businesses will be offering special one-day-only deals to attendees.

The day will also feature a full schedule of mini-workshops on various garden skills, activities for kids of all ages, and tabling by environmental organizations.

Full Schedule

All day (10:00-2:00)

10:30-11:00

  • Chicken keeping workshop at 37 Willow St

  • Beneficial insects and pollinators workshop at 1560 Westminster St (WBNA)

10:30-12:00

  • Make your own bird feeder or bird collage with artist-educator Melissa Guillet of 15 Minute Field Trips at 1560 Westminster St (WBNA)

11:00-11:30

  • Soil pathology workshop at 1275 Westminster St (WBNA Community Garden)

  • Flower arranging workshop at 76 Wood St

11:30-12:00

  • Home composting and bokashi workshop at 1275 Westminster St (WBNA Community Garden)

12:00-2:00

  • Moniker Brewery opens, offering sound mapping and chalk art for kids and discounted beer for adults at 432 West Fountain St

12:30-1:00

  • Beneficial insects and pollinators workshop at 1560 Westminster St (WBNA)

  • Soil pathology workshop at 1275 Westminster St (WBNA Community Garden)

1:00-1:30

  • Home composting and bokashi workshop at 1275 Westminster St (WBNA Community Garden)

1:30-2:00

  • Chicken keeping workshop at 37 Willow St

Interactive Map

Neighborhood Night is Back!

Español abajo

Neighborhood Nights are back! On June 7 WBNA will be hosting our first in-person Neighborhood Night in more than two years. We're so excited to gather with our community, see so many familiar faces, and meet our new neighbors too!

The gathering will take place at Asa Messer Elementary School on the evening of June 7, refreshments will be served at 5:30 and neighbors are encouraged to mingle and get to know one another, then from 6-7 we'll get down to business. This is also a chance to meet our new Interim Executive Director Siobhan Callahan in person! In addition to meeting new friends and welcoming back our old ones, this month's meeting will be focused on development in our community. We'll take a look back at projects completed during the pandemic, look ahead to projects in process, and inform neighbors about new proposals. The Neighborhood Liaison from the City Planning Department will be in attendance to share details of how neighbors can get involved when the review and rewriting of the City's Comprehensive Plan begins later this summer. This work is done every 10 years and affects everything from zoning and land use to sustainability and housing. You can read the 2014 Plan here.

Thanks to your generosity during 401 Gives in April, Spanish interpretation will be available and babysitters will also be present for parents who attend with children. We can't wait to see you there!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

¡Vuelven las noches de barrio! El 7 de junio WBNA será el anfitrión de nuestra primera Noche Vecinal en persona en más de dos años. Estamos muy contentos de reunirnos con nuestra comunidad, ver tantas caras conocidas y conocer a nuestros nuevos vecinos también.

La reunión se llevará a cabo en la Escuela Primaria Asa Messer en la noche del 7 de junio, se servirán refrescos a las 5:30 y se anima a los vecinos a mezclarse y conocerse unos a otros, luego de 6-7 nos pondremos a trabajar. Esta es también una oportunidad para conocer en persona a nuestra nueva directora ejecutiva interina, Siobhan Callahan. Además de conocer a nuevos amigos y dar la bienvenida a los antiguos, la reunión de este mes se centrará en el desarrollo de nuestra comunidad. Haremos un repaso de los proyectos completados durante la pandemia, miraremos hacia adelante a los proyectos en proceso, e informaremos a los vecinos sobre las nuevas propuestas. El Enlace Vecinal del Departamento de Planificación de la Ciudad estará presente para compartir detalles de cómo los vecinos pueden participar cuando la revisión y reescritura del Plan Integral de la Ciudad comience a finales de este verano. Este trabajo se realiza cada 10 años y afecta a todo, desde la zonificación y el uso del suelo hasta la sostenibilidad y la vivienda. Puede leer el Plan de 2014 aquí.

Gracias a su generosidad durante el 401 Gives en abril, habrá interpretación en español y también habrá niñeras para los padres que asistan con niños. ¡No podemos esperar a verte allí!

Apúntate al paseo por los jardines

Apúntate al paseo por los jardines

Read in English

A medida que la primavera florece en Providence, todos hemos vislumbrado las hermosas flores, hierbas y verduras que crecen en los jardines o salones de nuestros vecinos. Este año, queremos dar a todos la oportunidad de verlos de cerca y, al mismo tiempo, conocer a sus vecinos.

El sábado 25 de junio será el primer Paseo de los Jardines de la WBNA. Para quienes hayan participado en un Día de Venta de Jardines de la WBNA, la logística les resultará familiar. Los vecinos que quieran mostrar sus jardines están invitados a rellenar el formulario que aparece a continuación para figurar en nuestro mapa del Paseo de los Jardines. Animamos a todo tipo de jardineros a inscribirse, sin importar lo nuevo que sea o el tamaño de su jardín. Los jardineros de interior también pueden participar. Sólo tienes que traer tus plantas de interior favoritas al exterior para que reciban un poco más de luz solar y para mostrarlas a tus amigos y vecinos.

También invitamos a los jardineros interesados a impartir minitalleres sobre una práctica de jardinería favorita, una planta, un conocimiento tradicional o científico, o cualquier otra cosa que quieran compartir con los visitantes. Estos minitalleres son de bajo compromiso, y si quieres orientación no dudes en mencionarlo en el formulario de abajo. Sólo queremos que tengas la oportunidad de compartir tus conocimientos con nuestra comunidad, porque todo el mundo tiene algo que merece la pena compartir.

El día del Paseo de los Jardines, los vecinos pueden pasar por la WBNA entre las 10 y las 14 horas para recoger un mapa de todos los jardines participantes, y luego salir a trazar su propio camino a través de las flores del barrio. También habrá refrescos y actividades para niños de todas las edades. Rellene el siguiente formulario para hacernos saber que está interesado, y no dude en compartir cualquier pregunta o sugerencia también.

The Yard Sale Map is Here!

The Yard Sale Map is Here!

Join us tomorrow for WBNA's annual Yard Sale Day, with over 50 locations throughout the neighborhood! Check out this interactive map ahead of time to plan your day (and the PDF version below), and click on the individual addresses to see details about what that sale has to offer. Stop by WBNA HQ (1560 Westminster) between 8:30am and 1pm this Saturday to pick up a print copy.

Highlights this year include the Providence Hmong Church's famous egg roll sale, artists sales at several locations throughout the neighborhood, a co-op sale at White Electric Coffee, museum miscellanea from the RI Museum of Science and Art, and so much more! You can also join our Facebook event to share details about your own sale.

Sign up for the Garden Stroll

Sign up for the Garden Stroll

Leer en Español

As spring blooms in Providence, we’ve all caught glimpses of the beautiful flowers, herbs, and vegetables growing in our neighbors’ gardens or living rooms. This year, we want to give everyone a chance to get a closer look, while also getting to know their neighbors!

Saturday, June 25 will be WBNA’s first ever Garden Stroll. For those who have participated in a WBNA Yard Sale Day, the logistics will be familiar. Neighbors who want to show off their gardens are invited to fill out the form below to get on our Garden Stroll map. We encourage all variety of gardeners to sign up, no matter how new you are to the practice or the size of your garden. Indoor-only gardeners can participate too! Just bring your favorite houseplants outside for some extra sunlight and to show them off to your friends and neighbors.

We also invite interested gardeners to lead mini-workshops on a favorite gardening practice, plant, piece of traditional or scientific knowledge, or anything else you want to share with visitors! These mini-workshops are low-commitment, and if you want guidance feel free to mention that in the form below. We just want you to have the chance to share your knowledge with our community, because everyone has something worth sharing!

On the day of the Garden Stroll neighbors can stop by WBNA between 10am and 2pm to pick up a map of all the participating gardens, then set out to chart their own path through the neighborhood blooms. We’ll also have refreshments available and activities for kids of all ages. Fill out the form below to let us know you’re interested, and feel free to share any questions or suggestions as well.

Donate to WBNA for 401Gives

Commit a Donation to WBNA for 401 Gives

Rhode Island’s biggest annual day of giving is just around the corner, and we’re taking part! On April 1st, you can donate to WBNA via our 401Gives page to maximize the impact of your contribution. Throughout the day donated funds will be matched by United Way of RI’s partners. This year, we’re raising funds for three projects which will bring neighbors together in person and encourage us to collaborate for a healthier, happier, and more sustainable neighborhood.

Project 1: Community Garden Revival

In 2019, WBNA was forced to close down our beloved community gardens on Bridgham and Westminster Street and at the former Park View Nursing Home due to planned development.

Now, we’re planning to start the garden back up on a new piece of land! Help us bring neighbors together over the life-sustaining work of growing healthy food as a community.

Donate to help us purchase: raised bed materials, soil and compost, rain barrels, seeds/plants, miscellaneous gardening supplies, and any other costs associated with gaining access to a new space. Goal: $3,000

Project 2: Bringing Back Neighborhood Nights

Before the pandemic, in-person neighborhood nights were one of the central ways we brought neighbors together to collaborate and get involved in community building. This year, we’re finally bringing them back!

Donate to help us fund: refreshments/dinner, supplies, babysitters so more working families can attend, and monetary contributions to speakers and experts. Goal: $1,500

Project 3: Medicinal Plant Installation and Pollinator Garden

In our quest to find creative, engaging ways to use the outdoor space at the WBNA headquarters, we’ve joined with local artist Susan Freda to create an art installation/medicinal plant garden. With our help, she’ll plant a garden of medicinal and native plants that support the health of various body systems. Our new garden space will attract pollinators and local birds and will provide  a contemplative space for the community.  Educational markers throughout the garden will describe the plants and their medicinal uses and workshops will be offered to those wanting to dig deeper. We also plan to expand on the installation in collaboration with the Tomaquag Museum to share their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with our community.

Donate to help us buy: plants and garden supplies; garden markers; educational pamphlets; and to pay our collaborators. Goal: $3,000