[Summit] Fw: City government news -- how to start a Neighborhood Group; Surveys about Downtown and the Arts; etc.

Fri Jan 29 02:52:22 UTC 2021

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>To: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 3:07:11 PM ESTSubject: PVD Newsletter 1/28/2021

Good afternoon everyone!! 😊 Here are some quick updates happening in the City of Providence.

Update from the Mayor's Office

Neighborhood Association Toolkit

Thinking about starting a neighborhood association or crime watch group, but not sure how?

Mayor Jorge Elorza's Community Relations team worked with local groups to put together a comprehensive tool kit to guide you and your neighbors through the process.

Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3qRM8J6

Vote for Waterplace Park & Riverwalk

USA Today's 10 Best has nominated Waterplace Park & Riverwalk for their Readers' Choice travel award for "Best Riverwalk"!

You can vote daily through Feb 15th here: https://bit.ly/3sJP4cB

Mayor Elorza Announces Creation of Community Relations and Diversion Services Major

New Position Part of City’s Efforts to Advance Long-term Community Policing Strategies

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced the creation of a Community Relations and Diversion Services Major position within the Providence Police Department. The position will be the fifth Major added to the Providence Police Department Command Staff.

“The addition of a Community Relations and Diversion Services Major will uplift the voices of our community to the highest levels of leadership within the Providence Police Department,” said Mayor Jorge. O Elorza. “Over twenty years ago, the Providence Police Department was on the forefront of building relationships with the communities they serve and this new leadership role will continue to build upon and expand that work.”

The Community Relations and Diversion Services Major will report directly to the Chief of Police and will supervise the Training Bureau and Training Academy as well as the promotional process and testing acquisition for the supervisory ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. They will also be responsible for the recruitment, selection, retention, training of all future recruits.

”The creation of this position will allow our department to have a new, heightened approach and focus related to our ongoing commitment to serving the community,” said Colonel Hugh Clements. “The implementation of this position will further enhance our working relationships with community leaders, and others to sustain our mutually beneficial relationship going forward.”

In addition, the new Major will administer the development and execution of interventions designed to reduce responses to calls that are more appropriate for specialized services like mental health and other counseling supports. The position shall be responsible for building and strengthening trust and respect within the community.

The Community Relations and Diversion Services Major will be incorporated in the revised, proposed FY2021 budget. The position will be posted publicly and interested applicants will be encouraged to apply. The hiring process will include a panel of public safety staff and Providence community members focused on community and diversion service partnerships.

Update from the Department of Planning & Development

Mayor Jorge Elorza, DESIGNxRI Announce Fifth Providence Design Catalyst Program Cycle

Innovative Grant Program Provides Funding, Business Mentorship, and Professional Development Training to Catalyze Growth

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined DESIGNxRI Executive Director Lisa Carnevale, CIC Providence General Manager Rebecca Webber and past grantee recipients Urvi Sharma and Manan Narang, co-founders ofINDO-, to announce the launch of Providence Design Catalyst. The 2021 program will provide qualifying Providence-based design businesses with $185,000 in grant funding capital in amounts between $10,000 – $15,000 in addition to business mentorship and professional development training to catalyze business growth.

“The Providence Design Catalyst program helps our world-class design talent cultivate and develop their business skills while exposing them to a global market,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “During a time when so many small business owners are struggling to adapt and stay afloat, we are proud to join DesignxRI to invest in our designers and small business community who make us the Creative Capital.”

Providence Design Catalyst is a competitive grant program that provides seed capital, business mentorship, professional development training, and peer-to-peer networking to help design businesses reach their growth goals. Combining the global expertise of teachers, dedicated support from business mentors, and financial investment based on milestones and achievements, the Providence Design Catalyst program creates vital momentum for sustained business growth. The program is run by DESIGNxRI, an economic development nonprofit for the RI design sector, based in Providence.

“We're excited to launch the 5th Design Catalyst program," said Lisa Carnevale, Executive Director of DESIGNxRI. “This program has proven to build sustainable business growth in our creative design sector and support some of our most innovative and entrepreneurial citizens in Providence. We look forward to learning about the amazing designers who choose to apply, and soon after welcome the 2021 cohort with our partners.” 

Over the last decade, art and design has been a growing sector nationally for decades. Providence is a hub of design and creative sector activity – it is home to the third most industrial designers per capita in the U.S. and one of the world’s most recognized and premier design schools, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

This year’s program will again feature a partnership with CIC Providence. CIC will welcome Providence Design Catalyst cohort participants to their state-of-art offices, offering them co-working memberships and hosting program events and gatherings. Due to the ongoing public health crisis, this activity will largely be conducted virtually.

"Especially given the challenges of the past year, creativity will be the cornerstone of our innovation community," said Rebecca Webber, CIC Providence General Manager. "CIC is eager to partner in the Design Catalyst program for a second year to support grantees and their promise of growing creative ideas into businesses rooted in the community."   

The Providence Design Catalyst program began in 2015, with the first cohort running in 2016. Since then, DESIGNxRI and partners have invested in 50 design businesses. Here are program highlights:

   - $846,000 investment into 50 design businesses
   - 31 business mentors engaged from the RI business community
   - 69% of participant businesses developed a new product line and/or extended their brand
   - 62% of participant businesses extended an existing product line and/or added production capacity with new equipment
   - 31% added staff capacity with interns, freelancers, or full-time employment
   - All businesses analyzed and re-envisioned their business model and growth capacity, making thoughtful decisions on what was needed foundationally to continue on their growth trajectory.
   - Additionally, 21% of participant businesses received additional funding and/or mentoring from outside sources.

"The Design Catalyst program was a really valuable experience for INDO-," said Urvi Sharma, co-founder, INDO-, an award-winning contemporary furniture and homeware design studio and 2019 Design Catalyst alum. "With the program's support, we made strategic decisions with the funds that helped us lay a foundation for our company, putting us in a better position to grow over the long term. We are grateful this kind of program exists in Providence."

The Providence Design Catalyst is funded by the City of Providence through the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Partners and steering committee members include Bethany Costello with RI School of Design, Aidan Petrie with New England Medical Innovation Center, and Susan Mocarski from Cleverhood. To learn more about the program, including full eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit:http://designxri.com/programs/pvd-design. Applications will be reviewed by the Design Catalyst steering committee, led by DESIGNxRI and will be accepted beginning today, January 28, 2021 and running through February 11, 2021.

Re-imagine Downtown Public Spaces Survey

We’re reimagining downtown public spaces, together! Continue to engage with us by completing an online survey.

The survey closes January 31st so be sure to share your ideas and visions before the deadline.

Take the survey here: http://bit.ly/2XdhI7n #ImagineDowntownPVD

Update from the Department of Art, Culture, + Tourism

Cultural Plan Survey

The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT) invites you to join us in building the future of the creative sector.

>From now through mid-January, we ask that you (safely and virtually) get together with your family, friends, artistic collaborators, and organizations to think about arts, culture and creativity in Providence:

What makes you feel like you belong?

What works well?

What's missing?

What has been a challenge?

What change do you want to see moving forward?

They want to hear about your direct experiences with arts and culture in the city, and we also ask that you think beyond your individual experience, organization, neighborhood or discipline.

When you are finished, tell them about your conversation using this google form.

Your answers will help the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism write the 2021 Creative Providence Cultural Plan.

https://artculturetourism.com/creative-providence-2020/

All comments will remain anonymous, but any names you provide will be listed in the plan to recognize your participation.They have EXTENDED the deadline for the close the focus group link on January 31, 2021.

Have any questions? Contact Gina Rodriguez-Drix, Cultural Affairs Manager at grodriguez at providenceri.gov.

Events in PVD

18th Annual Providence Dr. MLK Jr. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 5:30 PM EST – 7 PM EST via Zoom

Join Mayor Elorza, Council President Matos, and the Providence Human Relations Commission for the 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. This event celebrates Dr. King's powerful legacy by highlighting the work of three Providence civic leaders who embody Dr. King's commitment to equity, civil rights, and justice. Join us as we recognize Providence community leaders!

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/210985060628983

PVD Winter Restaurant Weeks 2021 - STAY LOCAL. EAT WELL.

January 10–February 6, 2021

Warm up your winter with four weeks of delicious dining specials brought to you by Providence Restaurant Weeks Presents: Stay Local. Eat Well. Participating area restaurants will feature deals and specials for breakfast, lunch or dinner (or even all three). You'll also find other special offers, like signature cocktails, family-sized entrees, specialty products, and more. 

Whether you choose to dine inside, outside or take it to go, enjoy a well-deserved break from the kitchen, while showing your support for Rhode Island's amazing restaurants.  

Join the conversation: Tweet #PRW or Tweet #PVDEats

Saturdays at the Farm Fresh Winter Market in Providence

The farmers market is open every Saturday 9am–1pm at Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave in Providence! With over 50 great local vendors to choose from, you'll find what you need (and then some) — fresh produce, meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, cheese, doughnuts, baked goods, pickles, coffee, treats, and more! In addition to farmers markets, our facility is located along the Woonasquatucket River, where you can enjoy other local businesses and artists nearby like The Steel Yard, ISCO: The Industrious Spirits Co., Revival Brewing Co., The Floral Reserve, Nicholson File Art Studios, and Waterfire Arts Center! Learn more: farmfreshri.org/winter

COVID-19: We're happy to be able to offer the Winter Market during this pandemic. Thank you for supporting local farmers and food makers with your essential shopping, and for doing your part to keep the community healthy and thriving. Consider sending one person inside for your household. Then take it outside! Food trucks, some vendors, and distanced seating are available outside. Sorry, dogs are not allowed inside per Health Department regulations.

Read more about our COVID-19 safety protocols: farmfreshri.org/winter

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?

Check out the www.ArtsNowRI.com calendar for a bunch of events happening in the Providence area or virtually!

For any city hosted, sponsored, or partnered events, visit this website for more info: https://www.providenceri.gov/event/

Check out Go Providence's calendar of events as well: https://www.goprovidence.com/events/

Have a great rest of your week!

Best,

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Alexis E Kievning
Neighborhood Liaison and Digital

Communications Specialist

Preferred Pronoun: she/her/hers

Department of Planning and Development
Joseph A. Doorley Municipal Building
444 Westminster Street 
Providence, RI 02903
Akievning at providenceri.gov
(401) 680-8400 | Ext: 5408
Call to Connect | PVD311
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