$50,000 grant will support community-driven solutions for racial equity.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2024
Providence, RI – One Neighborhood Builders (ONB) has been selected as one of five awardees of Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN)’s Community Innovations for Racial Equity (CIRE) initiative. CIRE seeks to tackle structural racism and health inequities in historically disinvested communities.
BHPN is a national organization that fosters multi-sector partnerships to advance equitable community investment and improve health outcomes. BHPN supports collaborations that prioritize community-owned solutions and approaches for trust building, such that community investments align with residents’ values and create prosperous and healthy neighborhoods for all. BHPN is program of the Public Health Institute in Oakland, CA.
“We’re deeply honored to be recognized by BPHN and grateful to be included in this initiative,” said Anusha Venkataraman, managing director of ONB’s ONE Central Providence and acting vice president of housing. “For years, our team has made substantial investments in building the capacity of residents both in Central Providence and statewide while fighting for a more equitable community. CIRE will deepen our impact and broaden our access to resources, including those from mission-driven investors, to continue this work and advance conversations around affordable housing.”
Through its participation in CIRE, ONB will join a collaborative Learning Action Lab, where they will co-develop tools and resources, receive training and technical assistance, and build relationships with mission-driven investors such as healthcare systems. Through this process, ONB and the other initiative members will strengthen their capacity to advocate for equitable community investments.
“We are so excited to partner with these incredible organizations that are leading the way in community-driven solutions for racial equity,” said Kevin O. Leacock, Program Manager at BHPN. “Through the CIRE initiative, we aim to amplify their impact and foster a collaborative learning environment that will benefit communities across the nation.”
CIRE is being supported by a grant from The Kresge Foundation, and as part of the award, ONB will receive a $50,000 grant to further its mission of creating affordable housing statewide and advancing economic opportunities in Providence’s 02908 and 02909 neighborhoods.
One Neighborhood Builders is committed to addressing the intersection of housing, economic mobility, and racial equity. Through its work across Rhode Island, ONB provides not only affordable housing but also fosters economic development and community empowerment.
As backbone to Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, one of the original Health Equity Zones in Rhode Island, ONB has been pivotal in advancing community-led strategies that prioritize the needs and aspirations of residents.
Other awardees include Beyond Housing in St. Louis, MO, Parkside Business & Community In Partnership in Camden, NJ, Siċaŋġu Co in the Siċaŋġu Lak̇ota Nation in South Dakota, and Starting Over, Inc. in Riverside, CA. These organizations, each deeply rooted in their respective communities, are committed to advancing racial equity and addressing health and economic disparities.
ABOUT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS:
One Neighborhood Builders (ONB) is a nonprofit community development leader that improves lives across Rhode Island by building homes and connecting communities. They use their more than 35 years of practical experience in the housing and community development fields to test new ideas and challenge entrenched systems. ONB is the convening entity of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), a place-based collective impact initiative of more than 60 stakeholders across the nine neighborhoods of Central Providence. CPO-HEZ advances the shared vision for greater health and economic equity in the 02908 and 02909 zip codes.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kyle McKendall
Vice President of Resource Development and Communications
One Neighborhood Builders
McKendall@nullonenb.org | 401-489-0951
