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<div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">----- Forwarded Message -----</div>
<div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b>From:</b> South Providence Neighorhood Assn <southprovneighbors@gmail.com></div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b>To:</b> South Providence Neighorhood Assn <southprovneighbors@gmail.com></div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 09:57:34 AM EDT</div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b>Subject:</b> SPNA - UPDATES & ACTIVITIES (4/20/2021)</div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br></div>
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<div style=""><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>Good morning neighbors,<br></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><br></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><font color="#26282a" style="background-color: inherit;">Thank
you all </font><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><font color="#26282a" style="background-color: inherit;">who
joined the </font><b style=""><font color="#5b8828" style="background-color: rgb(253, 248, 105);">South Providence Neighborhood
Association</font></b><font color="#26282a" style="background-color: inherit;"> (SPNA) in attending last week the virtual Public Hearing of the Ordinance Committee of the City Council, our in-person community meeting with </font><a href="https://www.nuestromundopcs.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="background-color: inherit; color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">Nuestro Mundo Public Charter School</a><font color="#26282a" style="background-color: inherit;">, & the Kennedy Plaza Rally opposing the harmful multi-hub plan. Our neighbors are satisfied with the outcome of the Ordinance Hearing in which the amended proposed zoning changes to the St. Joseph's Complex were approved (the amended version incorporated feedback that neighbors
provided during the multiple community meetings about Broad Street held back
in 2017). For those who were unable to attend the in-person meeting with Nuestro Mundo, </font><b style="background-color: inherit; color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">attached is information about enrolling students & applying to work at the work</b><font color="#26282a" style="background-color: inherit;"> - Nuestro Mundo wants to have a staff that represents the community it is to be based in, & welcomes residents to apply for their open positions. We will hold a virtual meeting (see below) to ensure additional opportunity is provided for neighbors to ask questions & provide feedback on this topic.</font><br></font></span></font></span></font></span></font></span></font></span></font></span></font></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><br></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>Before Saturday's Kennedy Plaza Rally, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) did respond back to the Title VI Complaint filed jointly between Grow Smart RI & SPNA back on MLK Day. <b>Attached is a copy of RIDOT'S response, along with a joint statement from Grow Smart RI & SPNA as a response to RIDOT's response</b>. <u><i><b>We call on all of our neighbors & supporters to call the Governor's office at (401) 222-2080 to let them know of your concerns & opposition to the proposed multi-hub plan</b></i></u>. <span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>As
SPNA
adheres to guidelines provided by our
government agencies on in-person gatherings to prevent the spread of
COVID-19, we will continue to host virtual meetings while at the same time pursue
options for neighbors to meet safely in person. Listed below
are updates on issues & events impacting our
neighborhood:</span></font></span></span></span></font></span>
</span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><p style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span></span></span></font></span></p></div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><div><div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><div><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></div><div><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><br></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font>
</div></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
</span></span></font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u><b><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span>VIRTUAL MEETING - CROSSROADS - 4/21</span></span></font></span></b></u></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span>Crossroads
RI, who has presented to SPNA in the past & attended our meetings,
has been welcomed back to meet with SPNA to provide updates on their
process for a new proposal about their services. Crossroads provided
information about that proposal at an SPNA virtual meeting back in
September of 2020.<b> </b>
<b><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span>This virtual meeting will be held tomorrow, April 21st s</span></span></span></font></span>tarting at 6pm.</b> <b>Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address</b> (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>) <u><b>by 3pm tomorrow</b></u>! We encourage our neighbors in SPNA's footprint of the Southside to attend this meeting!<br></span></span></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span></span></span></font></span></p></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><u><b>VIRTUAL MEETING - GROUNDWORK RI - 4/29</b></u><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
<a href="https://groundworkri.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Groundwork RI</b></a>, <b>a
community-based environmental organization dedicated to creating
healthier & more resilient urban communities throughout Rhode Island</b>, <span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span>has accepted SPNA's invitation to meet our neighbors
virtually so that we may learn more about their efforts & resources
available to neighbors so that our children may live in safe, lead-free
homes. <b>This virtual meeting will be held on Thursday, April 29th </b></span></span></span></font></span><b>starting at 6pm</b>. Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>). We encourage our neighbors in SPNA's footprint of the Southside to attend this meeting.</span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><u><b><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">VIRTUAL MEETING - NUESTRO MUNDO - 5/6</span></span></font></b></u></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
As an alternative for neighbors not attending the in-person meeting on the <b>Nuestro Mundo Public Charter School back on April 14th, SPNA will host a virtual meeting as a follow-up on Thursday, May 6th starting at 5:30pm. </b>
Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>).
<b>Attached is a flyer that we ask you to share with other neighbors</b>. We encourage our neighbors who could not attend the in-person meeting to attend this virtual meeting.
</span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><u><b><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">VIRTUAL MEETING - 02905 HEALTH EQUITY ZONE (HEZ) - 5/10</span></span></font></b></u></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
As SPNA is a supporting organization of the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ) with the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC), <b>we're very excited to learn about the efforts of <a href="https://www.familyserviceri.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family Service of Rhode Island</a> (FSRI) to design & establish a Health Equity Zone for zip code 02905</b>, which is the largest part of SPNA's footprint in the Southside - FSRI is an organization who also has an office in the Southside. <b>FSRI has accepted SPNA's invitation to neighbors to learn more during a virtual meeting on Monday, May 10th starting at 6pm</b>.
Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>). We encourage our neighbors who could not attend the in-person meeting to attend this virtual meeting.</span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><u><b>VIRTUAL MEETING - RILA DOCUMENTARY - 5/18</b></u><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
Marta V. Martínez, Executive Director of <b><a href="http://www.rilatinoarts.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rhode Island Latino Arts</a></b> (RILA), & RILA's <b><i>LatinxCine</i>
Team will be creating a series of videos focusing on the first Latinos
who settled on Broad Street in South Providence</b>, their contributions
as hard-working citizens & neighborhood residents to the economic
growth of Rhode Island, as role models & a source of
empowerment to future entrepreneurs in their neighborhood/community.
<b>RILA has asked & SPNA welcomes them to share information about their project with our neighbors at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 18th starting at 5:30pm</b>. This will be an opportunity for neighbors to learn how they may participate in this project with the <i>LatinxCine </i>Team by providing historical content and/or connecting them with other neighbors to join SPNA in its support of this project.
Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>). RILA is a supporting organization of Neighbors For Revitalization (N4R) along with SPNA; & Marta was a panelist for the virtual session organized by SPNA at the 2020 Power of the Place Summit
<font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">entitled <i>Emphasizing
Grassroots Community Engagement: The Best Path to Effective, Inclusive
Community Development</i>.</span></font>
</span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><u><b><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">VIRTUAL MEETING - COVID RELIEF AID FUND (PROVIDENCE) - 5/25</span></span></font></b></u></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;">
<span>Many residents are aware of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(AKA the COVID-19
Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan) passed by Congress last month,
which provided stimulus payments to individuals depending on income
level. What is not as well known is that this $1.9 trillion economic
stimulus bill is that it will also provide funds directly to states
& municipalities - in particular, the City of Providence has/will
receive $131 million of that package as a COVID Relief Aid Fund! With
confirmation of the receipt of these funds, Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune
(Ward 3) has been collecting feedback with her own constituents as well
as residents from other neighborhoods (including the Southside) in
Providence as to how our city should spend these funds & what issues
should our city focus on in directing that relief. Councilwoman
LaFortune would like to capture more in-depth insight from residents in
SPNA's footprint of the Southside as to what we think should be the
City's priorities for the COVID Relief Aid Fund. In the spirit of being
good neighbors<font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">, <span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><b>Councilwoman LaFortune has accepted SPNA's invitation to discuss her efforts at a virtual
meeting on Tuesday, May 25th starting at 6pm.
</b>Please RSVP to
attend this meeting by replying back to this communication or sending a
separate email to SPNA's email address (<a href="mailto:southprovneighbors@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">southprovneighbors@gmail.com</a>). We strongly encourage our neighbors in SPNA's footprint of the Southside to attend this meeting.
</span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></font>
</div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"></span></span></font></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px none;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(32,31,30);"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: black;"><br></span></span></font></div></div></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><b><u><span>EQUITY & INCLUSION</span></u></b><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span> </span></font></span></div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>S<font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">PNA extends a special thank you to our neighbors &
fellow neighborhood groups who joined us in committing our focus to championing
racial equity & ensuring our neighborhoods are welcoming to all residents,
especially our neighbors who are Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC).
As we move forward with specific programs for these goals SPNA will announce those
activities as they occur plus invite you to participate. Listed below are some areas
that we’re currently moving forward in support of SPNA’s goals for racial
equity:</span></font>
</span></font></span></div><div style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span><ul><li>
<font size="2"><b>COMPLETED: Community Engagement session at Grow Smart
RI's 2020 Power of the Place Summit</b></font></li><li>
<font size="2"><b>IN PROGRESS: Participatory Budgeting</b></font>
</li><li><font size="2">
ON-GOING: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee of the RI Chapter of the American
Planning Association<br></font></li><li><font size="2"><b>ON-GOING: Reform of Zoning/Urban Planning Laws, Policies & Protocols</b><br></font></li><li>
<font size="2"><b><span>IN PROGRESS: Port of Providence</span></b><span>
(in collaboration with the Washington Park Association)</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span><b>IN PROGRESS: Food Insecurity & Food Deserts</b></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>ON-GOING: Participation in the Providence Coalition of Neighborhood
Associations (PCNA)<br></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
<b>ON-GOING: Barbara Jordan II Redevelopment</b>
</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
ON-GOING: Anti-Racism Committee of the Providence Human Relations
Commission (PHRC)<br></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span><b>ON-GOING: Kennedy Plaza Bus Hub & Transit Equity</b><br></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
<b>IN PROGRESS: Racial disparities in Historic Preservation with Providence Preservation Society (PPS)<br></b></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
ON-GOING: PPSD Re-Opening of Schools & Turnaround Plan</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>ON-GOING: Fix the 6/10 Coalition</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span><b>COMPLETED: Proposed Source of Income (SOI) for the City of Providence</b><br></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>COMPLETED: Proposed 2020 Statewide Housing & Infrastructure Bonds</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>ON-GOING: Civil Rights Team with the Office of the Attorney General of RI<br></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
<b>COMPLETED: 2020 Census</b>
</span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span>
<b><span>ON-GOING: Participation in HomesRI</span></b><span> <b>coalition</b> (<b><i>preventing evictions plus
home/rent affordability</i></b>)</span></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span><span>
<b>ON-GOING: Participation the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ) coalition</b>
</span></span></font></li><li><font size="2"><span><span>
<b><span>ON-GOING: Residential Property Taxes </span></b><span><b>& related tax impacts</b> (<b><i>home & rent
affordability</i></b>)</span></span></span></font></li><li><span><span><span><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
<span>CANCELLED: </span><span>Community Forum on the City of Providence's Budget focusing on Policing</span></font></span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>IN PROGRESS: Participation in the potential 02905 Health Equity Zone coalition<br></span></font></span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span>COMPLETED: <i>Promoting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Local Decision Making</i> workshop at the 2021 Annual Convention of the Rhode Island League of Cities & Towns, <i>as part of the EDI Committee of APA, RI Chapter.<br></i></span></font></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">The items in <b>bold</b> above are areas
that SPNA was already initiating and/or involved with before the impacts of
COVID-19 & the racial reckoning of 2020 into the present. This list below
is subject to change & is not encompassing of all SPNA activities. Please
contact us if you have any additional questions or would like to learn more
about (or sign up to participate/lead on behalf of SPNA) these topics<b>.</b></font></span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><b> </b><br></span></font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><br></span></font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;">----------------------------------------<br></span></font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><br></span></font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><b>SPNA will provide details on new developments involving House of Hope in our footprint as we learn more, & <u>we plan to hold a virtual community meeting (at neighbors' request) on the increased illegal dumping in our neighborhood in early June</u>.</b> Please feel free to
contact us by phone at (401) 369-1334 or by email if you have any additional
questions. You may also follow SPNA through our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1926140927614623" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>social media group on Facebook</b></a> to get our latest updates! You may also invite and share this communication with other
neighbors interested in these activities and/or want to learn more about SPNA.</span><span><span></span></span></font></span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><br></span><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;">Best Regards,</span><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span><br></span><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><i><span><br></span><span><span></span></span></i></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><i>
</i></font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><i>Dwayne Keys</i></span><span><span></span></span></font></span></p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;">
</font></span><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;">South Providence
Neighborhood Association (SPNA)</span></font></span></p><p class="ydp21526013yiv8637353547MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><font size="2" style="background-color: inherit;"><span style="color:black;"><br></span></font></span></p></div>
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