Member Highlight
Councilwoman Helen Anthony
Ward 2
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Councilwoman Helen Anthony has been representing Ward 2 since January of 2019. Ward 2 consists of the Blackstone, College Hill and Wayland neighborhoods. Councilwoman Anthony serves on the Finance Committee and the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits.
This may be her first term as a Providence City Councilor, but Councilwoman Anthony has plenty of experience in public service from serving on the City Council in Columbia, Missouri where she lived for ten years before moving to Rhode Island.
Professionally, Councilwoman Anthony is a land-use lawyer at Handy Law LLC. She also spends time volunteering to aid domestic abuse victims and providing legal council to the homeless.
As a politically engaged community member, Councilwoman Anthony has also worked on a number of campaigns to elect progressive women to office and she has been an active board member of the Mid-Missouri Planned Parenthood.
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Meet Your City Councilor
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Providence is separated into 15 distinct Wards, each a unique and dynamic community. We believe that access to your Councilor is paramount.
By clicking on the link below you will be able to learn more about your Councilor, and have the opportunity to send them an email to share your thoughts or concerns.
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The Holiday Season
December was a month of celebration and community service for the Providence City Council. From attending the many holiday parties held by various community members and organizations, to lighting Christmas trees across the City and donating toys and holiday supplies to those in need; Councilors enjoyed these Christmas festivities while also engaging in their usual business of supporting local businesses and organizations, engaging with constituents and passing important legislation. Keep reading to see how your Councilor got into the holiday spirit.
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Many Council members hosted or participated in donation drives to provide Christmas gifts for Providence children and families in need.
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Community Angels Toy Drive
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Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Correia, Councilwoman Castillo, and Councilman Taylor participated in the Community Angels Toy Drive on December 14. This is the largest Christmas donation event for children in need in Providence.
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Council President Matos and Council President Pro Tempore Correia joined Principal Brent Kermen at William D’Abate Elementary School on December 19 for their 30th Gingerbread Express. Every student in the school - with support from several organizations - go home with presents.
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Roger Williams Casino Holiday Party
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Council President Pro Tempore Correia was at the Roger Williams Casino on December 20 with Mayor Jorge Elorza, Representative John Lombardi and Providence's Director of Recreation Michael Stephens to celebrate Christmas with the Recreation department and hand out toys to children in attendance.
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Councilwoman LaFortune helped to organize toy drive donations at Camp St. Ministries in Ward 3 on December 21.
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On December 21, Council President Matos and Council President Pro Tempore hosted their Christmas at Joslin Celebration.Councilman Taylor, Councilman Espinal and Councilwoman Anthony also stopped by to enjoy the party where hundreds of kids received Christmas toys.
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Mujeres Con Poder Annual Holiday Drive
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Council President Matos attended the 'Mujeres Con Poder' Annual Holiday Drive on December 21. All of the finds collected at this even go to providing children in the Dominican Republic with backpacks and school supplies.
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Councilman Narducci's Annual Toy Drive and Give-Away
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Every year, Councilman Narducci and his family host a community toy drive to collect Christmas toys for children in need. The collected toys are organized and separated into bags which are then given to children by Santa Clause just in time for Christmas. This year, 37 children received bags full of toys!
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Councilman Narducci, friends, family and local leaders all came together to help collect donations of Christmas toys on December 11.
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Local firemen and policemen joined Santa Clause at the Ward 4 Boys and Girls Club to distribute the donated Christmas presents to 37 children on December 22.
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Providence Water Supply Board Christmas Lunch
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Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia celebrated with fellow members of the Providence Water Supply Board at their Annual Christmas Luncheon on December 6.
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Providence Police Department Holly Jolly Holiday Party
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Council President Matos and Council President Pro Tempore Correia joined Police Chief Hugh Clements and members of the Providence Police Department on December 7 for the annual Holly Jolly Holiday Party at the Public Safety Complex.
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Council Majority Leader Ryan held her annual Christmas on the Parkway event on December 8. She was joined by a host of local leaders and supported by several local businesses. Community members enjoyed sleigh rides, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa Clause.
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Hope Street Winter Stroll
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On November 8, Councilwoman LaFortune joined members of the Ward 3 Community for the annual Hope Street Holiday Stroll. This event helps support local businesses during the holiday season.
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Christmas Party at Olneyville Community Library
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On December 11, the Olneyville Community Library held their Christmas celebration. Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Correia and Santa all stopped by!
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Ambassador Paolino's Holiday Party
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Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Correia, Councilwoman Anthony, Councilwoman Kerwin and Councilwoman LaFortune all joined Ambassador Paolino for his annual holiday party on December 11.
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Santa Visits the Wanskuck Library
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On December 12, Councilman Salvatore and State Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell read to children at the Wanskuck Community Library, and there was even a surprise visit from Santa.
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Senator Reed's Annual Christmas Party
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Council President Pro Tempore Correia attended U.S. Senator Jack Reed's annual holiday party at the Roger Williams Carousel where it has been held for the past 10 years.
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Miriam Hospital Holiday Party
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Councilwoman LaFortune celebrated the holidays on December 16 with the staff and community partners of Miriam Hospital a their annual toy drive and holiday party.
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Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council Holiday Party
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Council President Matos and Council President Pro Tempore Correia attended the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council's annual holiday party on December 17.
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5th Annual Parrandón Navideño
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Council President Matos and Councilwoman Castillo attended the 5th Annual Parrandón Navideño on December 21, to celebrate the holidays with Rhode Island's Puerto-Rican community.
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Christmas Tree Lightings Around the City
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City Hall
Council President Pro Tempore Correia, Councilman Espinal, Councilwoman Miller, and Councilwoman Kerwin were downtown on December 6 for the lighting of the 35 foot tree on the front steps of City Hall.
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Bank Newport City Center
The Department of Arts Culture + Tourism, Mayor Jorge Elorza, Council President Matosm Council President Pro Tempore Correia, and Majority Leader Ryan were at the Bank Newport City Center on December 7 for the lighting of the City Center Christmas Tree.
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Smith Hill Holiday Park Lighting
Councilwoman Kerwin co-hosted the Smith Hill Holiday Park Lighting with Senator Mary Ellen Goodwin, Representative Moira Walsh, North End Outreach and Chad Brown Alumni Association on December 8.
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Hopkins Square
Councilman Narducci hosted a Tree Lighting Ceremony in Hopkins Square on December 8. He was joined by community members and several of his fellow Councilors for a night of holiday celebration.
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Columbus Square
Councilman Taylor hosted the Ward 8 Tree lighting celebration in Columbus Square on December 15. Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Correia, Councilwoman Harris, Councilwoman Miller and Councilman Espinal came out to enjoy the fun!
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Supporting Small Business
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Goldman and Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
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Council President Matos and Councilwoman LaFortune were at the graduation ceremony for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, where 92 Rhode Island Businesses graduated on December 2.
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On December 5, the Council President attended the grand opening of Gotham Greens. This local business provides fresh herbs and greens to retailers throughout the New England Corridor.
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Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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Council President Matos and Councilman Salvatore enjoyed the annual Cafe con Leche on December 6 with the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, which celebrated the progress of the Latino Business Community of Rhode Island.
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Providence's Youngest Constituents
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Providence Rescue Mission Soccer League
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The Providence Rescue Mission Soccer League celebrated the end of their season on December 7. Councilman Taylor joined in on the celebration, as he was instrumental in getting the league up and running.
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Shopping for Students at Boscov's
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Council President Matos and Councilwoman LaFortune stopped by Boscov's on December 8 for some shopping to support Providence Public Schools. Vouchers were passed out to shoppers and the proceeds of the day's sales went to the school department.
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Celebrating Student Athletes
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Council Majority Leader Ryan and Senior Deputy Council Majority Leader Narducci gave out citations at Classical High School on December 9, as student athletes celebrated their achievements in the fall athletic season.
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Getting to Know Providence Students with Councilman Salvatore
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Councilman Salvatore spent the morning of December 10 at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School reading and engaging with the elementary school students and teachers.
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On December 20, Councilman Salvatore stopped by Reservoir Elementary school to read and chat with Ms. Reposa's class.
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Councilman Salvatore Celebrates 'Noon Years Eve'
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On December 31, Councilman Salvatore was at the Providence Children's museum with his one year-old son, along with Mayor Elorza, Representative Scott Slater and their young children to celebrate the New Year early. Every New Year's Eve, the Children's Museum has a ball drop celebration at noon so that children can celebrate and still get to bed on time!
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Tom Perez at Brown University
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Council President Matos spoke with Brown University students on December 4 about her experiences on the City Council and being the first Latina Council President. The class's professor was Tom Perez, who is also the Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
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Brown University Dominican Republic Archives Project
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Brown University launched their Dominican Republic Archives Project on December 4. Council President Matos and Councilwoman Castillo joined local leaders to celebrate the exciting new venture.
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Making a Difference with Providence Organizations
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Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program
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The Rhode Island Expansion Arts Program held their end of year celebration on December 5. Council President Matos joined them as they honored the latest graduates of their three year program.
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Better Lives Rhode Island
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On December 4, Council President Matos celebrated Better Lives RI. This organization serves over 6000 Rhode Islanders a month with food assistance programs.
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Council President Matos was at DORCAS International on December 10 to celebrate the graduates of the Familias Unidas Program. This program keeps families together and unites them with their communities.
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Wiggins Village 122nd Meeting and Holiday Party
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Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris joined community members, elected officials and the staff of Wiggins Village for their 122
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meeting and holiday party. Several individuals were honored for their community service efforts including Mayor Jorge Elorza, Carol Costsa, Jimps G. Jean Louis and Tom Mezzanotte.
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Council President Matos was at the YWCA of Rhode Island on December 12 with children, volunteers and staff for the Hasbro Day of Joy. This is a company wide day of service to help children in need.
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National Association of Women in Construction
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On December 13, Council President Matos and Councilwoman Miller attended the holiday brunch for the National Association of Women in Construction. The event also collected toys to be donated to Children's Friend.
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Councilwoman Rachel Miller was honored with the 2019 Love Award at the PrYSM Awards Ceremony on December 13. Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Correia and Councilwoman Anthony came to the event as well.
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Rhode Island Builders Association
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On December 19, Council President Mats attended the 20th annual Build RI directors meeting, to talk about the importance of organized labor and supporting working class families.
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Council President Matos Introduces a Series of Nightlife Safety Measures
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Council President Matos introduced a series of Nightlife Safety Measures on December 7. These measures comprise of two ordinances and a series of resolutions regarding the Board of Licences. They will be referred to committee where they will be vetted and opened to public comment.
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City Council Supports Redevelopment of Historic Former “Projo” Building
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At the December 5 City Council meeting a majority of the council voted in favor of granting the developer of the property located at 203 Westminster Street a 20-year Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) which will be the first since the Council passed the Affordable Housing Trust Fund – that requires the City’s Tax Assessor to deposit 10% of their annual tax contributions to the fund.
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Councilwoman LaFortune Featured in Providence Business News
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Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune was featured in the 5 Questions column of Providence Business News on December 6. She was also featured in the Providence Business News 2019 40 under Forty list last June.
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Council Members Fight for Climate Justice Along with Fellow Community Leaders
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Councilwoman Helen Anthony, Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, Councilwoman Carmen Castillo, Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin and Councilman Pedro Espinal were a few of the 33 organizations and individuals who signed a letter in support of Providence's economic justice plan; as a plan that focuses on the impact climate change has on the poor and people of color in our City.
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Capital Improvement Bond Gets Initial Council Approval
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On December 18, the City Council granted the first passage of a $115 million Capital Improvement Bond which will go towards the a
two year capital improvement plan that includes a series of projects to address city buildings, parks, streets and sidewalks.
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T.F. Green Nominated as Best Small Airport by USA Today!
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Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport has been nominated, along with 20 other airports throughout the country, as the nation's best small airport. If you love T.F.Green, you can vote for it as the best small airport by clicking the link below.
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Upcoming Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Events
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If you want to find information about past, present and future meetings than the open meetings portal is a must. Using the below link you can access meeting minutes, agendas, documents, videos and other useful information at the click of a button.
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Providence City Council
council.providenceri.gov
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©Providence City Council 2019
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