Smile, Woonsocket!

Updates, Events, and MORE!!!

February 2026

Greetings!

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Here is what is going on in Woonsocket for the Month of February:

• Monday, 2/2, 7pm - Woonsocket City Council Meeting
• Sunday, 2/8, 1:30 - The Bicentennial in Motion at the Museum of Work & Culture
• Monday, 2/9, 10am - Ribbon Cutting at Millrace Apartments (Rescheduled from 1/26)
• Tuesday, 2/10, 3:30-5:30 - Mentor RI Mentor Training at the WOC, 115 Main St. 3rd fl.
• Friday, 2/13, 9am-1pm - United Way 211 Bus at Aging Well, Inc, 84 Social St.
• Saturday, 2/14, 2-3pm - Classics Jazz Plus at Harris Public Library
• Monday, 2/16, 7pm - Woonsocket City Council Meeting
• Thursday, 2/19, 6-8pm - DWC's I <3 Woonsocket at Daisy & Co., 1098 Diamond Hill Rd.
• Friday, 2/20, 3-4pm - Read to a Dog at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library
• Sunday, 2/22, 1:30 - Nathanael Greene, Forgotten Hero at the Museum of Work & Culture
• Monday, 2/23, 2-3:30 - Digital Archives Info Session at the Harris Public Library
• Thursday, 2/26, 10-11:30am - Emerging Drug Trends Webinar (see info below)

Safe at HOME - A Home Repair Program

Woonsocket's Safe at HOME Program provides loans to residents to fund a wide range of activities including homeowner rehabilitation and owner-occupied investor rehabilitation exclusively for low-moderate income or fixed income households, so their homes meet Rhode Island’s Property Maintenance Code and remain safe and healthy. This includes correcting code violations, addressing lead hazards when present, and replacing standard household fixtures and appliances. This program does not cover luxury or elective upgrades.

Woonsocket’s Housing and Community Development Department ensures the proper administration of these federal funds through current compliance and documentation practices.Office hours in the CDBG office are held on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am-3 pm for anyone with questions regarding this program. To see if you qualify, here are the program's income limits:

Students - Apply for $1 Million to Make a Difference!

Mariam Kaba, Woonsocket High School class of 2024, was awarded the TRIS Scholarship in 2022 and has made a lasting impact in Woonsocket. She is currently a sophomore at Northeastern University.

The Transform RI Scholarship (TRIS) is back—and it’s giving Rhode Island high school students an incredible chance to turn bold ideas into real-world impact. This unique program challenges students to imagine how they would improve the lives of those who need it most in our state, with the opportunity to bring their vision to life through meaningful funding and scholarships.

How It Works - Students are asked one powerful question: If you had $1 million to improve the lives of those who need it most in Rhode Island, how would you do it? Students can submit their response as an essay, video, or multimedia presentation. The focus is on the idea, not writing or production skills.

• The winning student receives $1 million to make their idea a reality, plus a $25,000 scholarship.
• Nine finalists will earn scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
• All Rhode Island high school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.

Application Window: January 15–March 31, 2026

Now in its fifth year, the Papitto Opportunity Connection has invested more than $4.1 million in TRIS scholarships and incentives. To date, 36 students from Rhode Island’s public, private, and charter schools have received scholarships for their inspiring, community-driven ideas.

Additionally, Firm Foundation Church is giving back with three $1,000 scholarships for Woonsocket residents. If you’re heading to the next chapter of your education, this is your chance to get a boost!

See Something? Say Something - Anonymously. 

The Woonsocket Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line gives residents a safe, confidential way to share information that can help keep our community safe. Whether it’s suspicious activity or a tip related to an ongoing investigation, you can report what you know without giving your name. Your tips are reviewed by trained staff and can make a real difference in preventing crime and supporting public safety, while protecting your privacy. If you have information to share, call 769-4444 and help make Woonsocket a safer place for everyone. Important: For crimes in progress or any life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. 

Become a Mentor. Change a Life.

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to our community? Join Mentor RI and help guide a young person toward confidence, opportunity, and success. Whether you’re curious about mentoring or ready to get started, this session will walk you through the program, the impact mentors make, and how you can be part of a supportive network dedicated to lifting up Woonsocket’s youth. Your time, your story, and your encouragement can make a lasting difference.

Mentor Training & Information Session

Tuesday, February 10th, 3:30-5:30 PM

Woonsocket Education Center, 115 Main Street

Museum of Work & Culture Celebrates America's 250th with a Wish Wall

As we head toward America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the Museum of Work & Culture is inviting our community to dream big (and small!) with its Woven Wishes Wish Wall. Visitors can weave a personal hope for the nation, state, or city, anything from everyday kindness to bold visions for change, into a colorful, growing community tapestry. This nationwide project, powered by Made By Us, is popping up at museums and community spaces across the country, giving everyone a chance to imagine, and help shape, what comes next. Come add your thread to the future!

Teens: Volunteer, Make Friends, and Level Up!

Looking for something fun (and meaningful) to do after school? The Woonsocket Harris Public Library is inviting teens ages 13-17 to jump into volunteering and it’s way more than just shelving books!

Volunteering is a chance to meet new friends, support your community, and gain real-world experience that looks great on resumes and school applications. Plus, you’ll be part of a welcoming, energetic library crew that keeps the magic of reading and learning alive for everyone.

Come hang out, help out, and make a difference, one book at a time!

Adults, Level up your tech skills!

Join this FREE Microsoft Office Basics series and get hands-on with Outlook, Word, OneDrive, Excel, and PowerPoint. Learn insider tips, how the programs work together, and how to create polished, professional documents.

🗓Wednesdays, 2/25-4/1/26

⏰5:30-7:30 PM

📍Woonsocket Education Center, 115 Main St.

Spots are limited to just 15 RI residents.

📩 Register: jcarreiro@ric.edu

Turn after school into a tech adventure!

High school students in grades 9-12 are invited to join this FREE Experience Tech After School program, where they’ll explore coding, app creation, AI, cybersecurity, game design, and more through hands-on, real-world projects.

🗓 Tuesdays & Thursdays, Feb. 3 - March 26 (no class during February vacation)

⏰ 3:30-5:30 PM

📍 Woonsocket Education Center, 115 Main St

Open to students from any Woonsocket high school (public, private, or charter).

📩 Register: ljensen@neit.edu

⚠️ Transportation not provided.

Woonsocket Situation Table

The Woonsocket Situation Table is a multi-agency collaboration of local human service, health, education and criminal justice professionals that meets Wednesday mornings to address situations where an individual or family is at a significant risk of harm. The team develops an action plan to reduce the risk and works with the individual and their family to connect them with services and supports in the community. The City of Woonsocket is a proud member of this collaborative.

169 Main Street | Woonsocket, RI 02895

(401)762-6400