Rhode Island

LEADERSHIP
Executive Director:
Jeanne Cola
Chair, Local Advisory Committee:
Vacant
CONTACT INFORMATION
146 Clifford Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Telephone: (401) 331-0131
Fax: (401) 861-8866
Website

Established in 1991

Achievements by the Numbers:

(By LISC and Affiliates since inception)
  • 6,962 homes and apartments
  • 1.7 million square feet of commercial space
  • $239.4 million total investment
  • $912.2 million leveraged
Rhode Island Profile

Profile:

Since 2007, Rhode Island LISC has centered its work around the “Our Neighborhoods” initiative in two targeted communities: Providence’s Olneyville and Woonsocket’s Constitution Hill/Fairmount neighborhoods. Focusing on building relationships, intentionally linking investments and supporting innovation that strengthens neighborhood quality of life, Our Neighborhoods has built a track record of success and in 2011 will begin work in a third neighborhood. Rhode Island LISC has continuously invested in child care facilities which have supported the development of more than 6,600 new or improved child care slots. This includes the Hope Street Family Resource Center, a facility for 110 children. LISC’s investments in the physical environment range from SouthSide Garteways, which includes 53 apartments and 10 retail spaces for local businesses, including Friendship Café that provides jobs and training to formerly homeless individuals, to The Meadows, an affordable senior living community for 80 residents. Recently, Olneyville CDC received funding to begin construction of Olney Village – the redevelopment of foreclosed properties into 39 apartments and space for the local food pantry and a community theatre.

In 2010, Family Services of Rhode Island and the Providence Police Department were recognized for a multi-lingual social worker-community police effort that resulted in significant crime reduction. In Olneyville, LISC has invested in the new offices of Clinica Esperanza, a free, high-quality health clinic serving families with little or no insurance. LISC’s partner, RiverzEdge Arts Project, won a coveted 2010 National Arts & Hummantites Youth Program award and was honored by First Lady Michelle Obama at a White House ceremony. LISC builds family income and wealth through its Financial Opportunity Center, which will serve as one-stop shops where families can get help with job placement, financial counseling and access to public benefits. Annually, Rhode Island LISC places six to eight AmeriCorps members in neighborhoods, helping grow the next generation of community development leaders.