Youth & Education
ALL IN FOR EDUCATION
Cradle to Career
Mayor Elorza understands that investing in Providence children, from cradle to career, is essential to ensure they get ahead. Because of this, Providence is ALL IN for education and the long-term success of youth. The ALL IN: Cradle to Career initiative highlights resources and opportunities for every single young person, at every age, both in and out of our schools.
Eat, Play, Learn PVD
The EAT, PLAY, LEARN PVD summer program recently won a $25,000 grant from the United States Conference of Mayors for providing youth with access to camps, meals and learning opportunities. Providence was one of six cities to receive the 2018 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards during the organization’s 86th Winter Meeting in Washington D.C.
Access to Technology
Mayor Elorza believes that all children should have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive learning environment that is conducive to a 21st century-education. Investing in 21st-century technologies enables educators to carry out effective personalized learning approaches and allows our students to continue their education beyond the classroom. Personalized learning allows students to progress at their own pace while they work to achieve the educational standards for their grade level. Technology-rich environments provide students with these additional supports and teachers with the data they need to record student growth. Since 2015, the City has invested $1 million to provide classrooms with nearly 20,000 new Chromebooks. By the start of the 2018-19 school year, all Providence students have had access to a wireless enabled device where and when they need it.
Passport to Summer Learning
Passport to Summer Learning is a collaborative effort by the Mayor’s Office, Providence Public School Department, Providence Public Library and Providence Community Library, to creatively engage students and their families and encourage young students to read during the summer break with the aim of limiting summer learning loss.
All Providence public school students Pre-K through 5th grade receive the passport before the end of the school year. It serves as a summer guide and reading tracker in both Spanish and English for learning and adventures. Within the passport, students can color in a map to track reading and discover new places throughout Providence to visit.
Providence Talks
Providence Talks was developed during Bloomberg Philanthropies’ first Mayors Challenge in 2013. The City of Providence was the grand prize winner of the challenge and received $5 million to implement the initiative. Providence Talks proposes to do something never before attempted at the municipal level: to intervene at a critically early age, from birth to age three, to close the “30-million word gap” at a city-wide scale and ensure that every child in Providence enters a kindergarten classroom ready to achieve at extraordinary levels.
Providence Talks is the only program in the nation specifically designed to address the word gap and serves as a national model for other cities to replicate. The program recently celebrated its 2,500th enrolled participant, representing 20 percent of the city’s eligible population.
Bradford Scholarship
The Bradford Scholarship aims to assist Providence public school and public charter school students pursuing a college education who demonstrate financial need through individual $750 awards. As established in Edward Hinkling Bradford’s 1974 will, the scholarship grants Providence students an award “without reference to excellence in scholarship,” who may be unable to obtain financial assistance for costs beyond tuition and will also take into account attendance and extracurricular service, among other factors. Since 2017, 180 scholarships providing $140,000 in financial support were awarded.
School Culture Coordinators
1Million Sprint Partnership
It has been a priority of Mayor Elorza’s to find innovative ways to improve the quality of education and increase access-to-technology for Providence students. As part of this vision, the city has partnered with Sprint’s 1Million Project to provide 850 Providence high school students with internet-enabled devices to do schoolwork from home.
School Facilities
Every student should be able to learn in a warm, safe and dry environment that promotes a culture of excellence has top-notch facilities to inspire them to learn and that allows for faculty and staff to engage with students in collaborative and innovative ways. The City of Providence has invested nearly $38 million over the last four years to school facilities, and over $15 million in school infrastructure improvements over the last two years (FY18-19). The City Council approved a proposal to allow the Providence Public Building Authority (PPBA) to borrow $20 million for school infrastructure and another $10 million for improvements to City hall and most of the City’s recreation centers over the next two years.
Youth & Education: Recreational Investments
Summer Camps
Finding affordable childcare can be challenging, especially during the summer. To address this challenge, Mayor Elorza expanded summer learning and recreational opportunities at a cost of only $5 per week for Providence residents. In addition to keeping camps affordable, the City has also expanded the number of day camps from nine — to 23. Summer camp participants were served 150,000 free summer meals at all recreation centers and 33 parks citywide in 2018.
Year-Round Recreation Programming
Mayor Elorza has been committed to providing more access to sports and recreation activities to residents of all ages because they improve their quality of life while making our neighborhoods safer and more vibrant. The City invested over $900,000 in recreation programming over the last year, increasing the number of day camps in the summer months – from nine to 23 in 2018 and introduced 58 new recreational programs over the last two years.
Additionally, Mayor Elorza expanded recreation programming to take place year-round. Providence residents can participate in recreation activities in the fall and winter in addition to popular summer programs, including the Midnight Basketball League splash water parks, swimming pools, specialty camps, and more.
Recreation Centers
Providence recreation centers add to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods as places where the entire community can come together for family-friendly activities. This past year, the city served over 150,000 free summer meals to Providence youth at all recreation centers and 33 parks citywide while opening two new recreation centers; Robert F. Kennedy Center in Ward 14 and the Armand E. Batastini Jr. Center in Ward 5, bringing the total number of Providence Recreation Centers to 11. Whether it’s recreational activities, educational programs or social gathering events, our recreation centers are places for residents of all ages to come together and enjoy free and affordable quality programming.
Jobs & Economic Opportunity
Office of Economic Opportunity
The Office of Economic Opportunity was launched in July 2017 to expand opportunities for the City’s low-income and unemployed residents to gain the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the 21st Century economy, reduce income inequality, and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. The Office of Economic Opportunity aims to support economic growth, improve quality of life, and strengthen communities and neighborhoods.
One Providence for Youth: Summer Jobs & Internships
In alignment with Mayor Elorza’s vision for a city with economic and educational opportunity for all, Providence will offer more opportunities through increased funding, better alignment of existing programs, and the engagement of more program partners. The number of employed youth more than doubled from 500 in 2016 to over 1,000 in 2017.
Neighborhood TSA
In 2015, Mayor Elorza along with the City Council proposed the Providence Neighborhood Revitalization Act (Neighborhood TSA), a tax incentive program aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods. The program provides important protections for Providence’s taxpayers and residents by creating a transparent and standardized process for developers to participate. Eligible projects must be between $250,000 and $3 million and can include commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use projects as well as both new construction and the rehabilitation of existing properties. Nineteen of Providence’s 25 neighborhoods have been designated as Opportunity Neighborhoods, eligible for the Neighborhood TSA.
Citywide Developments
Providence is a City on the rise and has both the quality of life and the quality of space to build an economy and workforce of the future. Since 2015, Providence has seen over $2B in development. Mayor Elorza has worked to create A City That Works–an environment that allows small businesses to thrive, residents to provide a home for their families, beautiful green spaces, and safe city streets. Whether it’s the redesign of the 6/10 Connector, our growing Innovation and Design District, or the Woonasquatucket River Corridor, there is now more development happening in Providence today than at any time over the last decade.
Urban Innovation Partnership
With representatives from anchor institutions throughout Providence, Mayor Elorza announced the creation of the Urban Innovation Partnership (UIP). This partnership is a critical component of the City’s Urban Innovation Vision which aims to prioritize two innovation districts, one in the Jewelry District and another along the Woonasquatucket River Corridor, by leveraging public and private investments to support inclusive economic growth and locally-generated innovation in those areas. It also prioritizes Smart City investments city-wide.
The members of the Urban Innovation Partnership include: Brown University, Care New England, College Unbound, Community College of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, Lifespan, Providence College, Providence Public Schools District, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University and University of Rhode Island.
Inclusive and Thriving Communities
Capital Improvement Plan
Affordable Housing
Since Mayor Elorza took office, the City of Providence has invested almost $8 million to repair, rehabilitate or construct nearly 600 units of assisted housing. Affordable housing developments include, Maplewoods in the Manton neighborhood; Imperial Knife Factory (60 King St.) in Olneyville; the former Louttit Laundry site (93 Cranston St.) in the West End; and the Barbara Jordan Apartments, which will drastically improve the quality of life for many residents on the South Side of Providence. These investments will bring added vibrancy to our thriving communities and help keep long-time Providence residents here for many more years to come.
PVDFest
PVDFest, Providence’s annual signature art festival has grown to be the largest festival in the state of Rhode Island. The Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism and Founding Partner Firstworks produce a weekend of magic that brings the culture and culinary community together with artists from across the country and globe to deliver a once in a lifetime experience. Live music, dance, food, and visual art installations transform the city into a multiday, multi-arts take-over of public spaces, parks, and outdoor stages in the heart of Providence.
Climate Justice Plan
Under Mayor Elorza’s leadership, Providence has joined hundreds of cities around the world to uphold the Paris Agreement by committing to become a carbon neutral city by 2050. To reach this goal, the City’s plan focuses on making homes and buildings more energy efficient, transitioning to renewable energies like solar and wind, eliminating the use of gasoline and diesel for transportation, and reducing waste. Providence is committed to addressing racial equity in the development of its climate justice strategy and involving those communities that are most impacted. In partnership with the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee, the Providence Office of Sustainability adopted the Just Providence Framework in 2017 and has been using it to guide this work.
Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations
In July 2020, Mayor Elorza joined the African American Ambassador Group (AAAG) and community members to announce a community-driven Executive Order committing the City to a process of truth, reconciliation and municipal reparations for Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color in Providence. Through this Executive Order, the City is committed to advancing a social justice process that works in three parts. First, the City worked to identify the Truth by examining the role of the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence in supporting the institution of slavery, the genocide of Indigenous People, forced assimilation, and seizure of land, among other polices. Once the collection of Truth was completed, findings were used to begin the process of Reconciliation. Residents, organizations and institutions are currently being engaged in discussing these Truths, with the aim of appreciating the resiliency of the Black, Indigenous People and People of Color in Providence and to better understand the ways these injustices continue to impact residents today. Through the last step of this process, Reparations, the City will take measures to reverse the injuries resulting from the Truth findings and advise what appropriate policies, programs, and projects may be executed based on recommendations that accomplish this mission. These will also work to address local laws and policies that continue to negatively impact Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color in Providence.
This process was developed with and crafted by the Mayor’s African American Ambassador Group, which meets weekly and serves as a direct line of communication between the community and the Administration. What originally began as a means to ensure equitable access to COVID-19-related care and resources has since expanded, establishing subcommittees focused on recommending strategies to increase equity citywide and most recently developed the Executive Order removing the term “plantations” from all City documents and oath ceremonies.
Providence Guaranteed Income Pilot
In September 2020, Mayor Elorza joined more than 50 mayors from big cities and small towns across the country to put forth a pilot program to test the effects and outcomes of guaranteed income. Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) supports an income floor to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and serve as a tool for racial and gender equity. A guaranteed income (GI) is a monthly, cash payment given directly to individuals that is unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements. GI is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and can be a tool for racial and gender equity. Providence’s pilot program began accepting applications in August 2021, and is entirely philanthropically funded, meaning the money used for this program is donated by outside contributors for the express purpose of implementing this program.
Investments in Public Parks
Every great city ensures that families have easy access to welcoming and dynamic public parks. Providence has invested $3.5 million in green spaces and has made major renovations to the majority of the 113 Providence Parks, including the iconic Roger Williams Park. With these investments, Providence parks will not only allow residents to enjoy the outdoors but will also bring people closer together to share ideas and ultimately builds a stronger and healthier community.
Neighborhood Planning
Providence has become a world-class destination due in part to the vibrancy of our amazing neighborhoods. To advance the momentum taking place in our communities, Mayor Elorza has continued strategic investments and partnerships with local community organizations. His administration has hosted a series of Community Conversations and Neighborhood Planning workshops in order to build a City that works for everyone.
Collaborative projects include the Celebrate Broad Street Initiative that includes $4.3 million in funding for bike and pedestrian safety improvements and cultural tourism initiatives. Additionally, the city has dedicated $1.3 million to the Illuminating Trinity creative placemaking partnership, which allows community partners to come together and enhance the cultural vitality of Trinity Square. As partners continue to collaborate, the Broad Street area is positioned to be one of the most diverse and culturally-rich corridors in the capital city.
Woonasquatucket River Vision
Another area that has seen rapid development is the Woonasquatucket River Corridor, which focuses on Arts and Innovation but also possesses ample space for light manufacturing, processing and commercial industries. Over the last year, the city hosted Woonasquatucket Vision Plan Workshops, which incorporates residents’ thoughts and ideas into the redevelopment process. More recently, Mayor Jorge Elorza along with the Providence Department of Planning and Development, Congressman Jim Langevin and community partners announced the Woonasquatucket Vision Plan, a proposed vision for the rehabilitation of 560 acres along the Woonasquatucket River Corridor.
The City has also announced new investments in the Valley and Olneyville neighborhoods, including a Food Hub that will host the new Farm Fresh RI facility, which received a loan through the Providence Business Loan Fund; revamping the 6/10 Connector, the largest ever single project in RIDOT history; a $6 million extension of the Woonasquatucket Greenway; and a partnership with One Neighborhood Builders, who are focused on revitalizing the Olneyville and Elmhurst neighborhoods through new commercial and housing development.
A City That Works
Mayor’s Center for City Services
PVD311
To ensure Providence is a city that’s efficient, transparent and accessible for all, Mayor Elorza established the PVD311 system. The system offers a 3-1-1 hotline, a mobile app available for download on iOS through the Apple App Store and for Android on Google Play, and a webpage for 24/7 access to a range of city services.
Through the Mayor’s Center for City Services (MCCS), over 50,000 constituent cases have been completed and the PVD311 app has been downloaded nearly 10,000 times.
Streamlined License and Permitting Process
In response to feedback from the business community, Mayor Elorza has worked with Providence City Council, the Board of Licenses Office and business owners to improve policies, procedures, and services. Since 2015, the Department of Innovation has worked with the Board of Licenses Office and the Department of Inspection and Standards to reduce the number of applications from 40 to 3 and digitize the licensing and permitting process.
Additionally, in November of 2016, Mayor Elorza introduced a Licensing Kiosk to the business community to streamline licensing processes and improve customer experience. Overall, business owners can now spend more time on their businesses and not be waiting in line at City Hall.
Streamlined Permitting Process
In response to feedback from the business community, Mayor Elorza has worked with Providence City Council, the Board of Licenses Office and business owners to improve policies, procedures, and services. Since 2015, the Department of Innovation has worked with the Board of Licenses Office and the Department of Inspection and Standards to reduce the number of applications from 40 to 3 and digitize the licensing and permitting process.
Additionally, in November of 2016, Mayor Elorza introduced a Licensing Kiosk to the business community to streamline licensing processes and improve customer experience. Overall, business owners can now spend more time on their businesses and not be waiting in line at City Hall.
SustainPVD
In an effort to fight climate change, Mayor Elorza created SustainPVD, a city-wide sustainability initiative to make Providence a greener, healthier, and more livable city by reducing greenhouse gas. Through SustainPVD, the City of Providence has increased recycling, expanded composting programs, and made municipal buildings more energy efficient. Residents can also help Providence reduce its environmental impact by saving money and energy at home through the National Grid’s EnergyWise program, participating in the Find Your Four program or exploring solar energy alternatives. Information on these opportunities can be found at the Office of Sustainability or online at providenceri.gov/sustainability. With these efforts, Providence has set a goal to become a carbon-neutral city by the year 2050.
