FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2024
Providence Residents Recognized for Leadership Role in Strengthening Central Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI –Four residents of Central Providence were recognized for their leadership within the community, notably through their participation with Central Providence Opportunities Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ)’s Nine Neighborhood Fund participatory budgeting initiative. This initiative empowered community members of Central Providence to decide how $1million would be spent within the community.
Cindy Cabrera, Maria Gomes, Liliam Morales , and Veronica Grullon, all residents of Central Providence, participated in NeighborWorks’ Community Leadership Institute (CLI) held in San Fransisco in the fall of 2023. The annual training event aims to strengthen the voices and skills of community, resident, and volunteer leaders across the country by sharing ideas, building skills, and developing strategies for improving their neighborhoods. The residents, who are active participations in CPO-HEZ’s work in the community, were granted access to the CLI through ONE Neighborhood Builders’ (ONB) relationship with Neighborworks.
ONB is the convening entity of 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.
As part of the CLI, NeighborWorks offered a $4,000 grant to support community leadership work. The team decided to organize a celebratory community event to recognize the efforts of community members. The event, “Building Our Community,” was hosted on Saturday, July 20 at Davis Park in Providence. It was open to the public and featured music, food, activities, community resources, and a speaking program featuring local and state leaders including Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos and Council President Rachel Miller.
Cabrera, Gomes, Morales, and Grullon’s contributions were presented with citations from Lt. Governor Matos, recognizing of their “invaluable leadership, advocacy, and outstanding work in allocating one million dollars to improve your community.”
“No one is better equipped to find innovative solutions to the challenges facing our neighborhoods than our neighbors themselves,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “The participatory budgeting projects have empowered community members to get involved and to step up as leaders. I’m grateful to ONE Neighborhood Builders and their partners for creating this important opportunity for Central Providence.”
The speaking portion of the event featured remarks from the CLI members who spoke to the impact the participatory budgeting process has had on them and the community. “This project wasn’t just money; it took a lot of work, time, and collaboration from many people to make it happen. The projects chosen by the community are beautiful and reflect our goals and dreams,” remarked Morales. “Now we need more community projects like this, on a larger scale, with more funding and decision-making power. Through these processes, Providence can be a more trusted and safe place, where we can ensure access to better housing, health insurance for everyone, and much more.”
Grullon shared her experience participating in the NNF process, saying “For those that have not had the chance to be involved in this process, I highly encourage you to do so. This experience has opened my eyes to the many ways I can make a difference in my community, and the more of us that join together, the better the results we will see. When it comes to future community involvement, I can honestly say that I would love to continue to be part of this process as it has given me great purpose.”
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 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.
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Media Contact
Kyle McKendall
Vice President, Resource Development & Communications for ONE Neighborhood Builders
401-489-0951
