Dear Friend,
Ana Jimenez came to Rhode Island from Guatemala when she was 12. Even though she and her husband, Freddy, both had full-time jobs, they often struggled to earn enough
to afford their small, two-bedroom apartment. In 2020, the Jimenezes and their three children moved into one of our properties. After saving diligently and receiving financial coaching from ONE|NB’s Resident Services Coordinator for the last two years, the Jimenez family will be purchasing the home they’ve leased from us by the end of 2022.
Their story, like so many others, is why we do what we do.
The coming year marks 35 years since ONE Neighborhood Builders was established to address abandoned properties and the lack of affordable housing in Olneyville.
I couldn’t be more excited about ONE|NB’s evolution and growth, especially over the last five years. Since 2017 we’ve developed 144 affordable homes and our community building programs have expanded dramatically, both in scope and geography.
Our brightest moments from 2022 include:
- March – Opening of the Biz Bodega, a business resources hub and public workspace, and the rehabilitation of nine apartments on Delaine Street.
- June – Expansion of our free community Wi-Fi network in Olneyville, now providing access to nearly 2,600 users.
- July – Creation of the community-controlled Central Providence Community Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans for small businesses and non-profits in 02908 and 02909.
- August – Construction of Bowdoin Street Rowhouse, our first modular development, and completion of the “Planting Seeds” environmental justice leadership program for 12 teens.
- October – Renovation of Sutton Place, protecting 36 affordable apartments in East Providence, and creation of the Nine Neighborhood Fund—a participatory budgeting process through which Central Providence residents will decide how to invest $1,000,000.
We need your help to keep it going!
Unfortunately, a perfect storm of economic variables—limited supply, rising demand, and housing costs outpacing wages— means that stories of economic hardship and housing insecurity will become more commonplace in the coming years. According to the 2022 HousingWorks RI Housing Fact Book, 139,000 Rhode Islanders are housing cost-burdened, meaning that they spend 30% or more of their earnings on housing. Because of the gap between income and housing costs, homelessness has increased by 35% this past year.
$1,000 would provide critical supportive services through our team of community health workers; $500 would help us continue to improve speed and access across our free Wi-Fi network; and even $50 would support a resident interested in attending one of ONE|NB’s many leadership programs.
ONE|NB is committed to doing our small part in building opportunity through homes and health.
Join us by contributing today.
Wishing you and yours a healthy and peaceful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hawkins
President and Executive Director, ONE Neighborhood Builders
