5-week Mission Program pre-apprenticeship course to hold its first graduation on March 3. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 23, 2023
More than 45 nonprofits, businesses, and other stakeholders in Central Providence gathered Tuesday to continue discussions about the "Central Providence Roadmap," a collective vision for improving health and economic equity in Central Providence over the next 10 years. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 7, 2023
Participatory Budgeting, a democratic process for spending community funds, took it's next step on Thursday. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJanuary 26, 2023
Fredy & Ana Jimenez have finally closed on their two-family home on Amherst Street in Providence, after renting for four years. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders By Stephen Ide ONE Neighborhood Builders (High-resolution images available upon request) Fredy and Ana Jimenez sign paperwork at the closing on Dec. 16, 2022, for their home on Amherst Street in Providence. Photo by Antonio A. Rodriguez/ONE Neighborhood Builders PROVIDENCE — Ana & Fredy Jimenez have a new reason to be grateful this holiday season. After four years of renting their home on Amherst Street, they are now proud homeowners. The road hasn’t…
oneneighborhoodbuildersDecember 21, 2022
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…
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 29, 2022
What would you do if you had $1 million to spend in your neighborhoods? That’s the question being decided in nine neighborhoods in Providence where a process called “participatory budgeting” has begun. Participatory budgeting is defined as “a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. It’s a tool to empower everyone to make decisions about how funds should be spent in our communities.” About 25 people joined the discussion Wednesday, Nov. 16, during a town hall meeting at the Smith Hill Library to talk about what can be done in the…
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 17, 2022
Residents, businesses, and organizations turn out to discuss a "roadmap" to improve the health and economic mobility of Central Providence over the next 10 years. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 16, 2022
Our ONE|NB Connects Case Study goes into detail about the creation of free neighborhood WiFi, addressing the issue of digital equity in Central Providence. CLICK TO READ THE STUDY
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 4, 2022
ONE|NB, state, federal, and local officials cut the ribbon for Sutton Place, the rehabilitation of 36 affordable housing units in East Providence. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 17, 2022
The City of Providence announces it will use $8.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the creation of a Neighborhood Land Bank and puts out a call to identify available vacant lots that could be used for affordable housing. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 13, 2022
Hundreds of residents from Olneyville enjoyed a day of free music, food, and fun activities for children at Riverside Park at OV Fest: Dia de Nuestro Rio. SEE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 9, 2022
OV Fest: Dia de Nuestro Rio returns to Riverside Park in Olneyville on October 9. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 28, 2022
The Parent Leadership Training Institute provides parents, and some non-parents, with the skills they need to advocate on behalf of children and community. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 20, 2022
According to the federal figures, Rhode Island issued only 1.27 permits per 1,000 residents in 2021. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 13, 2022
As leaders from around the world convene for the next climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland in November and the world focuses on global changes, it’s easy to forget how climate changes and extremes can affect people locally. In 2019, ONE|NB, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, and Steer Media teamed up to create a video to highlight the flooding that occurred here in 2010. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 6, 2022
Twelve teens graduated on Monday from the Planting Seeds program, designed to focus on personal growth, building of community, and an understanding of environmental justice. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersAugust 30, 2022
About 65 people turned out Wednesday evening at Father Lennon Park to hear the three candidates for mayor of Providence during “Candidate Conversations,” a ONE Neighborhood Builders hosted forum in the heart of the city. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersAugust 10, 2022
ONE|NB's CPO-HEZ will collaborate in distributing $1 million in the community to help advance health equity and address social determinants of health in a pilot program announced by the Rhode Island Department of Health. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJuly 27, 2022
Clara Diaz, our Community Engagement Specialist, goes door-to-door in the 02908/02909 zip codes to bring information about the Central Providence Community Loan Fund. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJuly 6, 2022
Providence teens plant herbs for the “Planting Seeds” program, starting their own journey of personal growth in a 10-week session focused on environmental justice. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJune 21, 2022
The expansion of ONE|NB Connects, the free neighborhood WiFi begun in Olneyville during the pandemic, is expected to be completed by May 31. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersMay 9, 2022
Our community health workers teamed up with a registered nurse on Saturday to provide free health screenings outside of Atlantic Mills. CLICK FOR MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersApril 11, 2022
Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of ONE Neighborhood Builders, testified before the State Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, April 7, 2022, along with other housing advocates in favor of boosting the State's investment of ARPA funds for housing, tax stabilization incentives, and the the historic tax credit. CLICK TO READ MRE
oneneighborhoodbuildersApril 8, 2022
This Sheridan Small Homes video will showcase at the Rhode Island Home Show, April 7-10. CLICK TO READ MORE & WATCH VIDEO
oneneighborhoodbuildersApril 6, 2022
Community Health Workers, or CHWs, have been at the front lines during COVID-19, but they are there year-round, connecting people to social and health services through understanding and compassion. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersApril 6, 2022
ONE Neighborhood Builders and Innovation Studio held an intimate conversation with local and business leaders at Biz Bodega on April 5. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersApril 5, 2022
ONE Neighborhood Builders' ribbon-cutting event announces two new affordable housing developments — the Delaine Street Apartments and the Bowdoin Street Rowhouse. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersMarch 28, 2022
Biz Bodega, a business resources hub and public workspace that seeks to support new and aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners throughout the Central Providence, has opened at 222 Manton Ave. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersMarch 24, 2022
Developing and preserving more affordable housing throughout Rhode Island took center stage at the State House with the announcement that 11 bills to help address the state's housing crisis. And our Executive Director, Jennifer Hawkins joined other housing advocates to testify before the House Finance Committee about the Governor's proposed budget for the next fiscal year. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersMarch 11, 2022
The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded ONE Neighborhood Builders and The Center for Health and Justice Transformation $100,000 to develop new models for affordable apartments that include supportive services for people who have been incarcerated. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersMarch 3, 2022
Installation began today (Feb. 28, 2022) on an 8-unit affordable apartment development on Bowdoin Street. Installation of all 14 pieces of the modular development is expected to take a week. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 28, 2022
More than a half-dozen people visited Biz Bodega, 222 Manton Ave., on Thursday morning for the opening of free walk-in COVID-19 vaccine and flu clinics. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 24, 2022
Antonio Rodriguez, ONE|NB’s Assistant Director of Asset Management, joined panelists from around the country on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, during an online NeighborWorks America symposium on bridging the digital divide. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 10, 2022
In Op-ed, Rep. June Speakman calls for more investment to help meet the housing needs for low-income Rhode Islanders. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 7, 2022
ONE|NB’s Aging Strong in Community project aims to support an aging population by creating the Sanctuary at Valley Falls, which includes affordable, supportive senior housing in Cumberland, RI. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 4, 2022
Governor Dan McKee gathered Wednesday with other State leaders at ONE Neighborhood Builders' King Street Commons to announce the State is ready to begin allocating $12 million to jumpstart the state's investment in affordable housing. CLICK FOR PHOTOS AND TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersFebruary 2, 2022
The American Rescue Plan Act provides an extraordinary opportunity for federal investment to respond to the coronavirus public health emergency and help redress its devastating economic effects. The time is now to address the state's urgent housing needs. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJanuary 19, 2022
Thomas Quinlan, of HarborOne Bank, delivers a check to the ONE|NB offices that will be used toward our expansion of ONE|NB Connects, the free community WiFi mesh network in Olneyville. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersJanuary 13, 2022
Expansion and upgrades to the free mesh WiFi network that ONE Neighborhood Builders created last year in Olneyville—called ONE|NB Connects—will begin in early January. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersDecember 13, 2021
Patricia Reaves, our Rent Relief Supervisor, lets renters and landlords know that we’re here to help them when it comes to applying for Rent Relief. ONE Neighborhood Builders is one of several agencies authorized to help tenants apply to RIHousing and get a case number. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 16, 2021
Our Sheridan Small Homes Case Study goes into detail about the development's concept and construction, demonstrating the long-term viability of zero net-energy affordable housing. CLICK TO READ THE STUDY
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 11, 2021
Seven formerly incarcerated men and women graduate from Garden Time's Green Reentry Program, a pilot program funded by the Central Providence Health Equity Zone, convened by ONE|NB. CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO AND LEARN MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 10, 2021
ONE|NB Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins joins other housing advocates and state officials to emphasize the need for more affordable housing in the State of Rhode Island, during a news conference at Sutton Place, a naturally occurring affordable housing development in East Providence. CLICK TO SEE PHOTOS AND WATCH VIDEO
oneneighborhoodbuildersNovember 3, 2021
Our Facilities Project Manager Steve Kearns talks about a way we reduce our carbon footprint and save money to help keep affordable housing affordable. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 27, 2021
Artists, musicians and neighbors gathered at Farm Fresh Rhode Island and offered thoughts and prayers, remembering the loved ones lost and the dedication of essential workers during a COVID-19 Memorial event on Saturday. CLICK TO READ MORE, WATCH VIDEO
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 16, 2021
See some recent photos of work being conducted for 9 apartments on Delaine Street, the child care center for King Street Commons, and work on completing Sheridan Small Homes. CLICK TO SEE SLIDESHOW
oneneighborhoodbuildersOctober 14, 2021
New homeowners Romario and Dr. Jhanev Allen Buttler talk to us about moving into their new home, one of five at Sheridan Small Homes, in Olneyville. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 27, 2021
Children enjoyed face painting, balloon creations, getting their caricatures made, and mango-flavored cold treats, while others got tested for COVID-19 or received their vaccines during Providence's Family Fun Day. CLICK TO SEE SLIDESHOW
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 23, 2021
The Rhode Island housing advocacy community has requested that $500 million in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act be used "to address the State's urgent housing needs." CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 21, 2021
Jen Hawkins, our Executive Director, joined an online discussion with Lt. Gov. Sabin Matos, Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, and other experts to discuss using $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding for housing initiatives and solutions. WATCH ONLINE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 17, 2021
For Edmarie Cancel Batista, owning a place of her own is a dream come true. When she left Puerto Rico three years ago, she never thought she would end up a homeowner. READ HER STORY
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 15, 2021
WiFiForwards awards ONE|NB its Wi-Fi At Work Award for ONE|NB Connects, a community project that provided free WiFi in the community during the pandemic. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 8, 2021
AGE-FRIENDLY RADIO HOUR: ONE|NB Executive Director Jen Hawkins speaks about the origins of the organization and what we're doing in Central Providence. CLICK TO LISTEN
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 8, 2021
Family Fun Day will be held on Thursday, September 23, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Father Lennon Park. We'll also be hosting a vaccine site for anyone 12 or older. CLICK TO READ MORE
oneneighborhoodbuildersSeptember 3, 2021
Matthew Healey photography The ribbon-cutting for Sheridan Small Homes and King Street Commons took place on July 26, 2021. READ RELATED ARTICLES: ONE Neighborhood Builders Celebrates Completion Of Two New Housing Developments WPRI: RI Celebrates Two New Affordable Housing Developments, Child Care Center ConvergenceRI: ONE Neighborhood Builders Shows The Path Forward In Solutions To The Affordable Housing Crisis
oneneighborhoodbuildersJuly 26, 2021
SHERIDAN SMALL HOMES The story of Sheridan Small Homes begins with a spark of inspiration stemming from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) architecture students. In 2018, RISD students participated in the Race to Zero Student Design Competition, a collegiate design challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The students were selected as finalists for their affordable, energy efficient home prototypes. Learning of their success, the City of Providence, RI, saw an opportunity for the RISD students to help them achieve multiple city goals: provide more affordable housing, address climate change, and increase local workforce understanding of achievable, high…
ONE|NBFebruary 1, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate many Rhode Island communities, addressing the unique needs of the families and small businesses that make up the very fabric of this state remains critical. Tufts Health Plan, a local nonprofit health plan, has been working to address food insecurity, the safe reopening of businesses, remote learning needs of students, and has been making other community-level investments that make the organization an integral part of the R.I. community. “This is the state where many of our members and employees proudly live, work and where their children go to school,” said Tom Croswell, president…
ONE|NBNovember 18, 2020
Roxana Rosario, Intern ONE Neighborhood Builders is fortunate to work with local universities and give internship opportunities to current students. During the Fall of 2020 we have had the ability to work with Roxana Rosario, a Master’s Degree student at Providence College. Like many students around the world, COVID-19 changed their education model and lifestyle. Roxana and her family are Providence residents who have dealt with the impact of COVID-19 firsthand. Below, is her story Oftentimes, we see things in the news or read things in the history books and feel that our communities could never be touched that way,…
ONE|NBOctober 30, 2020
One metric for evaluating an organization’s commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion is the proportion of staff who reflect the community that the organization serves. A further step is evaluating the proportion of the leadership team (staff and board of directors) that are diverse. ONE|NB works across Greater Providence, but our historical home is the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence: our headquarters is in this neighborhood and it is where most of rental apartments are located. Olneyville residents are ethnically and racial diverse with two-thirds identifying as Latinx while 18% identify as Black and 7% as two or more races. In…
ONE|NBOctober 21, 2020
For nearly a year I have served as the Assistant Director of Asset Management for ONE|NB. I am honored to have been tasked with overseeing the ONE|NB Continuum of Care Program (CoC). The concept is simple: Housing First. The CoC provides permanent supportive housing to those who have experienced chronic or long-term homelessness. The implementation, well that is a different ball game! In 2018 ONE|NB committed to setting-aside 25% of its one-bedroom apartments for supportive housing. To be successful we know we needed a social service partner who has experience in working with the chronically homeless, and that we needed…
ONE|NBAugust 18, 2020
My name is Yuselly Mendoza, and I serve as a community health worker (CHW) and team member at ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB). Prior to taking on this role, I was the captain for the Walking School Bus at the William D’Abate Elementary School in Olneyville, managing a key partnership between the school and ONE|NB. When I saw the opening for the CHW position, I realized that it was an opportunity to give back to my community and deepen and develop new relationships of trust and support with my neighbors. I applied and was happy to be chosen for and accept…
ONE|NBJune 25, 2020
By Laurie Moïse, Director of Community Health Integration “I do not trust the advice of my doctor.” We frequently hear communities of color make statements of this nature. There are many reasons why these communities are reluctant to follow through on medical advice, including: a lack of minority presence in local medical practices; distrust of the health care system due to the historic maltreatment of persons of color, including unethical and deeply harmful experiments as well as stigma associated with various diagnoses. This profound barrier to equitable health care access dates back centuries—and persists strongly today. Currently, with the COVID-19…
ONE|NBJune 25, 2020
By Jennifer Hawkins, President and Executive Director Rhode Island’s eviction moratorium is set to expire on July 1. As a community development landlord, ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) owns more than 375 rental apartments and is responsible for maintaining these properties to a superior standard. We are committed to eliminating obstacles to health equity among the roughly 15,000 neighbors who live within our Central Providence Health Equity Zone (CP-HEZ)—and recognize that stable and affordable housing is paramount. As a landlord and as a community-builder, ONE|NB works to prevent evictions due to non-payment of rent—both with our own properties and in the broader Central Providence community. We do not always succeed, but…
ONE|NBJune 9, 2020
“Survival is . . . learning how to stand alone, unpopular and sometimes reviled, and how to make common cause with those others identified as outside the structures in order to define and seek a world in which we can all flourish. It is learning how to take our differences and make them strengths. For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change . . . each down into that deep place of knowledge . .…
ONE|NBJune 2, 2020
By Jennifer Hawkins Adapted from an essay for NeighborWorks America’s Achieving Excellence program Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief chronic, severe health disparities faced by people of color and low-income communities. As a nonprofit community development corporation (CDC), ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) has worked for decades to address social determinants of health (SDOH’s), such as housing affordability, economic stability, early education, neighborhood safety, environmental justice, and food access. In the past five years, we have increasingly emphasized this work and invested in personnel who are dedicated to it. ONE|NB serves as the backbone for the Central Providence…
ONE|NBMay 9, 2020
The Sheridan Small Homes Groundbreaking Ceremony on October 28, 2019, was a singularly exciting moment. The project consists of five single-family homes that are relatively small, at approximately 750 square feet of livable space, and are designed to be “net-zero.” As sustainable building practices and standards have gained traction, many related new terms and standards have emerged. For example, this project is also slated to become “Passive House Certified.” But what do these terms and standards actually mean? Net-zero or zero-energy refers to the overall production and consumption of energy by a building. Our built environment was responsible for approximately…
ONE|NBJanuary 16, 2020
If you’ve driven along Manton Avenue recently, you may have noticed our ONE|NB fences adorning the lot where our new Manton Avenue Live/Work project is set to be built. Construction begins this fall! The colorful fences are attractive, yes, and they let the community know that ONE|NB’s got a new project in the works, but they are also much more than that. The unique 100’ construction fence was created by local non-profit and Central Providence Health Equity Zone member, The Steel Yard through their Weld to Work 1.5 program. Weld to Work is a job-training program that teaches participants the…
ONE|NBSeptember 12, 2019
Building Equity: Home, Health, and Opportunity In the summer of 2017, ONE|NB set out to develop a new home in the Elmwood neighborhood. To date, ONE|NB has built and sold over 120 affordable homes for first-time buyers. In order to bridge the gap between the cost of construction and a sales price that is affordable to a low to moderate income buyer, we applied for HOME funds from the City of Providence. We also looked to our long-standing community partner, Building Futures, to help us reduce construction costs and increase our impact. Building Futures provides opportunities for low-income diverse community…
ONE|NBMay 23, 2019
April 2nd has been designated as National Service Recognition Day. This day is specifically focused on recognizing the work done by AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers. AmeriCorps has three different programs: AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State and National, and AmeriCorps VISTA. I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA for ONE Neighborhood Builders, and am a little over six months into my year of service. Despite the vast number of AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers many people have either never heard of the program, or do not know about its fascinating history. The history of the VISTA program actually began on March…
ONE|NBApril 2, 2019
