Press & Events

ONE Neighborhood Builders is seeking a qualified individual to help us to expand our place-based health equity and community-building strategies (see job description below).

Interested candidates must submit a resume, thoughtful cover letter, and compensation requirement to Allyson Plantz, Chief of Staff, at plantz@onenb.org.

ONE|NB is seeking a talented, energetic, mission-driven Director of Community Health Integration (DCHI). This new senior-level position will be an integral part of expanding the agency’s place-based health equity and community-building strategies targeted at tackling social and environmental determinants of health (e.g. housing conditions, economic opportunity, social cohesion, etc.). Primary responsibilities of the DCHI include resource development, grants management, partnership development with diverse stakeholders (e.g. health care systems, managed-care organizations, insurance companies, community-based organizations, public-sector agencies, anchor institutions, etc.), as well as, research and evaluation. Additionally, the DCHI will supervise ONE|NB’s existing full-time Health Equity Project Manager (HEPM), full-time Resident Engagement Project Manager (REPM), and part-time community health worker.

Health Equity & Community-Building Initiatives

ONE|NB has served as the “backbone” agency for the Olneyville Health Equity Zone (HEZ) for the past four years and is now poised to expand this work to three additional neighborhoods in Providence (Valley, Federal Hill, and Hartford). The HEZ is a collective-impact initiative involving more than a dozen community-based partners advancing an array of distinct, yet aligned, initiatives. ONE|NB ‘s HEPM leads the HEZ. The DCHI will work closely with the HEPM to establish priorities and strategies for the expanded HEZ, ensuring consistency with the agency’s approach to sustainable community development.

Concurrent with this expansion, in January 2019 ONE|NB embarked on a three-year initiative involving the training and deployment of four community health workers (housed at ONE|NB, the Childhood Lead Action Project, Providence Community Health Center, Integra Accountable Care Entity, and Providence Housing Authority) who are charged with engaging greater-Olneyville residents to improve overall neighborhood health outcomes and reduce the inappropriate use of clinical services. This initiative is in its nascent stage and so would require intensive program management and thoughtful refinement.

In July 2019, ONE|NB will be launching the “Central Providence” Village with Federal Hill House (FHH). This project is designed to help low-income seniors residing in the Valley, Hartford, and Federal Hill neighborhoods to age-in-place. Seniors will have access to a dedicated Village community health worker who will connect them to resources such as healthy, affordable food; the use of maintenance technicians for basic home repairs; transportation/accompaniment to health-related appointments; and programming at FHH to reduce social isolation. ONE|NB’s REPM will oversee the implementation of this project. The DCHI will be required to work closely with the REPM to liaise with Federal Hill House and the project funder, and ensure project outcomes are achieved according to the approved workplan.

Lastly, beginning in July 2019, ONE|NB will assume oversight of the D’Abate Learning Community, a 21st Century Community Learning Center in the Olneyville neighborhood. The D’Abate program is a year-round after-school and summer program operated by the Swearer Center at Brown University at William D’Abate Elementary School. ONE|NB will serve as the fiscal sponsor and take on substantial program oversight and reporting to the RI Department of Education. ONE|NB’s REPM will serve as the day-to-day supervisor for the 21st Century Community Learning Center project. The DCHI will work closely with the REPM to establish a management strategy and priorities for these endeavors, ensuring consistency with the agency’s existing health equity work.

Beyond leading these existing and new initiatives, the DCHI will work closely with the Executive Director as a thought-partner to identify other opportunities for expansion and to develop the agency’s policy agenda related to the intersection of heath and housing. S/he will do so by conducting research on national policies related to health & housing, defining strategic opportunities with municipal and state partners, organizing convenings with regional partners using Olneyville as a local case-study, piloting initiative(s) to re-invest reduced clinical expenditures in upstream interventions (i.e. housing), and hosting site visits/meetings with individuals seeking to learn about the agency’s related work.

This position must work collaboratively with ONE|NB’s other departments to support the implementation of other new initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and possess at least seven years of senior leadership experience in imagining, shaping, managing, and continuously improving community health and/or community-development initiatives. Additionally, she/he must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as, an exceptional talent for relationship development.

ONE|NB offers a robust benefits package (including health, dental, and vision insurance), a retirement plan with matching contribution, a generous allotment of paid holiday and personal/vacation time, flexibility to occasionally telecommute from home, and an inspiring & innovative organizational culture.

Persons of color are highly encouraged to apply.

ONE Neighborhood Builders is seeking a qualified individual to lead our homeownership promotion and financial education & counseling activities (see job description below).

Interested candidates must submit a statement of interest and resume, along with three professional references to Allyson Plantz, Chief of Staff, at plantz@onenb.org.

The Financial Opportunity Project Manager (FOPM) will report to the Executive Director as a member of the Program Division of the agency. This is a full-time, exempt employment opportunity. The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday. The candidate must be able to work 11am-7pm at least three days per week and must be able to work 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

BACKGROUND
In 2019-2020 a primary activity of ONE|NB’s Financial Opportunity program will be to develop and implement sustainability strategies to increase earned-income and expand the client-base. The FOPM will be a key part of this work and must be comfortable working in an environment that is innovative, variable and fast-paced.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide pre- and post- purchase counseling (in-person and by phone/Skype) to prospective/new homebuyers, with an emphasis on first-time buyers;
• Establish individualized counseling action plans with clients and provide referrals to partner agencies as needed;
• Independently teach series of financial capability and homeownership preparation courses in English and in Spanish;
• Refine course curricula using national best practices to meet evolving needs of clients;
• Track client interactions and action plan progress using web-based database;
• Lead relationship development efforts with prospective course participants and referral sources such as brokers, lenders, and others in the financial capability field to increase enrollment in ONE|NB courses;
• Lead development and implementation of new line of business that will involve financial capability and homeownership preparation courses as an employee-benefit program to Rhode Island companies;
• Support all of ONE|NB’s employees, and be a resource to help them realize their outcomes;
• Work with ONE|NB’s Resident Services Coordinator to support efforts to help the agency’s tenants remain compliant with lease obligations;
• Assist in tracking funder requirements and in the preparation and submission of appropriate reports.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for this position will have the following professional experience and characteristics:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• At least five years of related professional experience
• Entrepreneurial and committed to expanding the Financial Opportunity program and increase the program’s earned income
• Committed to promoting financial well-being and homeownership opportunities for low-to moderate income residents
• Certified as a HUD housing counselor, or be willing and available to attend out-of-state training programs and successfully attain certification
• Empathy and ability to quickly build trust with clients
• Experience with adult education and/or case management preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficient in data entry and reporting using Salesforce, or ability and willingness to learn
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)

The Health Equity Zone serving Olneyville will be expanding to serve adjacent neighborhoods in Federal Hill, Hartford and Valley, according to ONE Neighborhood Builders, the local HEZ backbone agency.

*Article written by Richard Asinof for ConvergenceRI,  Published May 6th, 2019.  See full article here.

PROVIDENCE – At a time when the two leading hospital systems in Rhode Island, Care New England and Lifespan, are engaged in an escalating war of words over plans by Partners Healthcare in Boston to merge with Care New England, one of the more significant news events when it comes to achieving better health outcomes is occurring well beneath the radar screen: the expansion of the innovative Health Equity Zone initiative to three more communities in Rhode Island, bringing the total number to 10 operating in the state.

On Monday, May 6, the R.I. Department of Health is slated to announce that the agency is expanding its support and funding for three new communities to establish Health Equity Zones, a community-driven collaborative approach to achieving better health outcomes – in East Providence, in Providence’s West End neighborhood, and in three census tracts of Cranston.

In awarding new Health Equity Zones, each of the successful applications were submitted by a municipal or nonprofit, community-based organization that will serve as the “backbone” agency for the local Health Equity Zone. In East Providence, the agency will be the East Bay Community Action program; in Cranston, the agency will be the Comprehensive Community Action Plan; and in the West End of Providence, the agency will be the West Elmwood Housing Corporation.

The initial steps undertaken by the new Health Equity Zones will be to facilitate a community-led process to organize a collaborative of community partners, to conduct a needs assessment, and implement a data-driven plan of action to address the obstacles to health and well being in local neighborhoods, with the R.I. Department of Health providing the seed funding for those activities.

The three new Health Equity Zones were chosen from nearly 20 applicants from communities across Rhode Island. Together, they will share in approximately $1.4 million in funding with seven existing Health Equity Zones that are receiving support to continue their work in local communities.

Braiding together resources
The five-year-old innovative initiative, launched in 2014, supports a place-based approach that brings people together to build healthy, resilient communities across Rhode Island, with an emphasis on health, not just health care.

The Health Equity Zone initiative is grounded in research that has demonstrated up to 80 percent of health outcomes are determined by factors outside clinical settings, such as access to affordable, healthy foods, high-quality education, employment opportunities and safe neighborhoods. The model encourages and equips community members and collaborative partners to create healthy places for people to live, learn, work and play.

“These communities are taking the forces that shape their health and well-being into their own hands,” said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, in a news release announcing the expansion plans. “I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next few years as we continue to lift up this initiative up as a national model of how such an infrastructure led by community members can create the conditions needed for every person to thrive.”

At the same time, the current Health Equity Zone in Olneyville will be expanding its geographic reach, with plans to serve the adjacent neighborhoods of Federal Hill, Hartford and Valley in Providence. [See link below to ConvergenceRI story, “At home in the hub of Olneyville.”]

Funders are taking notice
The Rhode Island Foundation, in announcing $3.6 million in new health grants in the fall of 2018, put the focus of those awards in investments in health equity zones.

Similarly, the Working Cities Challenge initiative has been engaged in dialogue with the Health Equity Zone initiative to discuss ways to braid together and leverage resources to support efforts underway in Newport, Providence and now Cranston.

Ana Novais, the executive director at the R.I. Department of Health, said that the important takeaway from the new expansion of the Health Equity Zone initiative was the growing recognition of the importance of the role of health equity in addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

Whatever health care system is designed or planned, Novais explained, there is now a growing recognition of “the importance of having community-led planning processes, community-led prioritization, and plans of action being driven and implemented by the community.”

Housing, education, and health, Novais continued, “All of those things that we often take for granted, and are at the root causes of inequalities, can only be properly addressed at the local levels. We continue to put that message forward. We want to do whatever we can to make sure that Health Equity Zones are seen as a key critical infrastructure at the local level. That is our vision.”

Novais added: “I hope that everyone can hear that. People are paying attention, locally and nationally.” During the recent legislative budget hearing, Novais reported that numerous people spoke up about how much they champion and appreciate the work being done by Health Equity Zones.

The innovative approach of Health Equity Zones pioneered in Rhode Island has also developed a growing national audience, thanks in part of Dr. Alexander-Scott’s presidency of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, which she assumed in September of 2018.

In regard to the ongoing conversations about developing a statewide health plan and a statewide education plan, in which the Rhode Island Foundation is playing a leading role as a convener, Novais said it was important that healthy equity be fully integrated as part of those conversations.

“I think the message of health equity is that we all have equal opportunities to achieve the highest potential, regardless of where you start, regardless of your zip code [where you live], skin color, culture, accent, and language,” Novais said.

That is a message that should be central to any initiative in our state, she continued, whether it involves education, housing or health plans. “We see this as being our commitment to the agenda we put forward at whatever table we sit at. We bring that message, and we make sure that it is heard and that it is integrated into the plans. Yes, it is important.”

Blog post written by Jessica David and published by the Rhode Island Foundation on Monday, November 19, 2018. Read the full story, and more, here.

Article published by the Providence Journal on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

By Madeleine List
Journal Staff Writer 

Left to right: Larry Warner (Strategic Initiative Officer: Healthy Lives, RI Foundation), Neil Steinberg (President & CEO, RI Foundation), Ana Novais (Executive Director, RIDOH), Jennifer Hawkins (Executive Director, ONE|NB), Robert McMahon (Board Chair, ONE|NB), Allyson Plantz (Chief of Staff, ONE|NB), Lorraine Lalli (Board member, ONE|NB), Rochelle Lee (Board member, ONE|NB), Elmer Stanley (Board member, ONE|NB), Allegra Scharff (Community Building Manager, ONE|NB), and Kimberly Dennin (AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, ONE|NB).

$3.6M in grants to combat health disparities announced by Rhode Island Foundation

Article published by the Providence Journal on Friday, October 19, 2018. Read more about this story on ABC6, Latino Public Radio, and PBN.

Now accepting applications for a full-time Program Associate. This individual would perform a range of essential office support functions from managing external communications to office administration and executive assistance (see description below). Interested applicants please e-mail a thoughtful cover letter and resume to Allyson at plantz@onenb.org.

The Program Associate is responsible for a range of essential office support functions for ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB), a non-profit community development organization based in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence. This is a full-time position, with a competitive salary and full employee benefit package. The Program Associate reports to the Chief of Staff (COS).

Responsibilities
External Communications
• Compile and update resident demographic and neighborhood data
• Gather ‘good news’ stories from program staff for use in all communications
• Coordinate documentation for/of events, activities, etc. for use in publications, media, etc. and ensure appropriate releases are signed and filed; maintain graphics & photo files
• Assist with coordination and editing for marketing and donor communication vehicles both on and offline, including but not limited to newsletters, eNewsletters, donor appeals, etc.
• Manage content and images on ONE|NB’s website
• Manage ONE|NB’s social media presence via Facebook, email marketing, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Assist the COS in developing & updating general and program brochures, media kits, key messages, fact sheets, & other collateral material as needed

Executive Assistance
• Inform the COS of/schedule upcoming ED commitments; ensure appropriate and timely communication with all participants
• Assist the COS in preparing materials for all “critical path” ED meetings (e.g. meetings with current or potential ONE|NB partners, ONE|NB’s Board of Directors, Board Committees, funders, government officials, peer executives, etc.)
• Assist the Executive Director (ED)/COS with drafting narrative content for grant proposals and grant reports, as needed
• Work with the ED/COS to plan and execute neighborhood tours, partner site visits, and similar events
• Other duties as assigned

Office Administration
• Maintain office equipment, including all technology (computers, stamp machine, and copiers); serve as a secondary point of contact with these vendors
• Coordinate schedule for use of conference room
• Maintain Public Contacts database in Outlook
• Assist with photocopying, mailing, word processing and data entry as needed for all staff members, as approved by the COS or ED
• Make deliveries, run errands and conduct other administrative tasks as needed
• Maintain all centralized files
• Order office supplies and maintain inventory of supplies, as approved by the ED

Competencies/Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics:
• At least two years of experience working in office administration in a fast-paced environment
• College degree preferred
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Highly organized, proactive, and resourceful
• Polite, patient, and dispassionate/professional in all communications (internal and external)
• Passionate and committed to the vision and values of ONE|NB
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends, as needed
• Grant writing and/or experience managing external communications preferred

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and
activities may change at any time or without notice.

ONE Neighborhood Builders is currently recruiting a full time AmeriCorps Volunteer for its locations in the Olneyville and Elmwood neighborhoods in Providence. AmeriCorps member will receive a biweekly living allowance of $580, pre-taxes. The member will receive training as a part of their service. The AmeriCorps Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) will focus on assisting residents to be successful in finding and keeping housing and in improving their economic stability. The RSC will provide tenant education to both prospective and current tenants aimed at helping them acquire and maintain safe, affordable, and healthy housing. The RSC will provide information and referrals that focus on housing success, crisis intervention, employment, education, and health and safety. The RSC will follow‐up on notices given to residents and work proactively to decrease the number of notices that result in evictions. The position will work with the Property Managers and Program staff to assist with program outreach and marketing materials. The RSC will attend and coordinate other special yearly events. The position will work closely with Property Management, Housing Network staff, and Accessing Home staff.

The RSC is responsible for delivering 4 programs at Olneyville, Elmwood and in the broader community:
1) Rent RIte: A classroom-based program designed to prepare prospective tenants for successful tenancy. The course focuses on budgeting, credit, and the rental process.

2) Back on Track: An eviction prevention program that provides counseling and individualized interventions to residents at-risk of eviction.

3) Resident Services: Property-based community asset mapping, resource referral services, and community events.
Potential applicants can search for the Accessing Home AmeriCorps program on the AmeriCorps website (my.americorps.gov) or they can visit the Accessing Home website to find a link to the online application. All applicants must apply through the Accessing Home application, not the MyAmeriCorps.gov website; however, a paper copy of the online application is available upon request for applicants who may need special accommodations. A PDF of the application can be viewed here. In addition to the Accessing Home application, applicants must submit up-to-date resumes.

Applicants must follow the minimum requirements below:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Be either a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Legal Permanent Resident
• Never have been convicted of a sex crime or murder
• Candidates may not work for your organization in another capacity during their term of service
• The populations in the Olneyville/Elmwood neighborhoods necessitates the need for bi-lingual applicants.

Accessing Home is committed to recruiting a diverse corps of AmeriCorps Members.

All Accessing Home AmeriCorps candidates must submit an application and resume in order to be considered for the program.

***Resumes should be sent to Laura Roach lroach@neighborworksbrv.org. and Steve Kearns kearns@onenb.org.***

The application can be found at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/r2IzOstOlSbHume33

For information on the position in Olneyville and Elmwood contact Steve Kearns kearns@onenb.org 401-351-8719 Ext. 119

If you have any questions regarding enrollment or selection of the AmeriCorps members, please contact the Accessing Home Program Manager:
Laura Roach lroach@neighborworksbrv.org 401.257.6236

There are two stories to be told of the 5^th annual Summer Safety Slam event held on August 8^th at Joslin Parkin the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence.  One is about bringing residents and police together for a fun-filled, free evening in the park.  The second, and lesser told story, is of the longstanding collaborations that made this possible.

For close to 20 years, Olneyville residents, community groups and local businesses have worked together to organize community initiatives through the Olneyville Collaborative.  Since the introduction of the Health Equity Zone initiative, these collaborations have grown stronger due to increased communication and overlapping work of individuals and agencies. These initiatives, including the Olneyville community newsletter, spring clean-up “Olneyville Shines”, the Fall Festival, and the Summer Safety Slam reach thousands of residents each year.

What does this collaboration look like? At the Summer Safety Slam, it was a resource fair made possible by borrowing tables from collaborative network members and free children’s activities in the field.  Abelardo Hernandez, a founding Collaborative member and Olneyville resident, had the Guatemalan Soccer League run games with children on the soccer field while the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence and the Providence Police Department hosted a basketball game on the courts.  The relationships built by regularly working and meeting together has bred collective responsibility for the community and each other.

Collaboration is also about pitching in for the less glamourous work: William D’Abate Elementary School and Joslin Recreation Center opened their doors to hold supplies that could not be picked up until the following day while staff from Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, the Providence Police Department, and Greater Providence YMCA worked to make sure everything was in its place and to troubleshoot when bouncy houses and generators proved more difficult to move than expected.

While these collaborations are widely unseen and not the aim of our events, without them, these initiatives would not be possible.

Councilwoman Sabina Matos summed up this sentiment by stating, “The Summer Safety Slam brought over 250 neighbors together to play, build trust, and to learn about the variety of community programs that benefit all of us. I was very happy to take part again this year.  Olneyville is a community on the rise and that’s in no small part due to dedicated partners who make up the Olneyville Collaborative!”