July 2022

IN THE COMMUNITY

A friendly face

visits businesses with news about low-cost loans

in Central Providence

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Businesses throughout the 02908/02909 zip code have started to see a friendly face walk through their door. Clara Diaz, a Community Engagement Specialist at ONE Neighborhood Builders, is visiting businesses and providing information about the recently established Central Providence Community Loan Fund.

The Central Providence Community Loan Fund is a community-led fund that provides low-interest loans for neighborhood and economic revitalization in Central Providence. The fund provides small businesses and nonprofits located in 02908 and 02909 zip codes with low-interest, flexible capital.

The fund is managed through a partnership between the Providence Revolving Fund and ONE Neighborhood Builders, and all lending decisions are made by a committee with majority representation from people who live or work in 02908/02909.

10-week teen leadership program ‘Planting Seeds’ gets under way

A dozen teens who live in the 02908/02909 Zip codes in Providence planted herbs on June 20, beginning their personal growth through the “Planting Seeds” program. The program is an offshoot of NeighborWorks America’s Building Leaders, Building Communities, leadership development training that aims to support resident leaders and prospective leaders in creating the community change they want to see.

ONE|NB is hosting the 10-week program, which focuses specifically on youth interested in learning about environmental justice.

Over the course of 10 sessions, the high school students from Providence will be learning about their own leadership styles, methods for forming teams around shared issues, and the many organizations already doing amazing environmental justice work in their communities – all in the hopes that the “seeds” they plant will grow into local action.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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The Zoom panelists included Top row, from left: Grace Evans, Chief of Staff at ONE Neighborhood Builders and Lucy Berman, Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone Manager at ONE|NB; Bottom row, from left: Faith David, Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Coordinator Outreach Liaison; and Brittany Lizotte – Parent Leadership Training Institute 2022 graduate.

CLICK TO WATCHTHE SESSION

More than two dozen people joined ONE Neighborhood Builders for Fresh Fridays—a monthly, virtual gathering for learning and sharing about community development—focusing on Resident Leadership Development as a core component of community building work.

The Zoom panelists included Lucy Berman, Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone Manager at ONE Neighborhood Builders; Faith David, Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Coordinator Outreach Liaison; and Brittany Lizotte – Parent Leadership Training Institute 2022 Graduate.

The Fresh Friday sessions will be held virtually on the third Friday of every month. Future topics will likely include a discussion on free community WiFi and modular construction techniques in affordable housing.