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Crews demolish the Trolley Barn in Cranston in 2005. Frieda Squires/The Providence Journal, File

Housing advocates blast Cranston site plan

The Providence Journal

"'I think we are at a point where every time we lose a parcel that could be used for dense development, we are creating more obstacles for ourselves to bring on the housing the community needs,' [said] Kristina Brown, a Cranston resident and housing and economic policy officer at... United Way of Rhode Island."

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Featured image for Providence Journal Opinion Logo

Biggest barrier to housing? Planning boards

The Providence Journal

"Without the buy-in of members of local planning and zoning commissions, we will continue to see buildable parcels go to projects that do not include housing," writes Kristina Brown, program officer of housing and economic policy at United Way of Rhode Island. "As the smallest state in the union, we need to be building housing on every suitable parcel."

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Lisa Guillette is the executive director of Foster Forward.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

Zoning laws hindering housing construction

The Boston Globe

"Cortney Nicolato, the CEO of United Way of Rhode Island and another member of the special legislative commission, said most of the state’s land use enabling legislation was written in 1991... 'When you have 100 amendments in a 30-year legislation, it's clearly not working... The housing crisis cannot be truly transformed until we tackle systemic barriers, like zoning laws and land use.'"

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McKee is proposing $250M for housing

McKee Proposes $250 Million for Housing

GoLocalProv

"Our state's housing crisis is significant and must be a priority in the budget. But just as important, the investment needs to combine with transformational change in the systems surrounding housing as a whole," said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.

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Thumbnail with side-by-side images of WPRI's Kim Kalunian (left) and United Way of Rhode Island's Kyle Bennett (right) with the headline, "COMMUNITY FOCUS: INTERVIEW WITH THE UNITED WAY."

Community Focus: United Way/Kyle Bennett

WPRI 12

"Director of Policy and Equity for United Way of Rhode Island Kyle Bennett joined 12 News at 4 to discuss the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, how many families benefited from it, and what residents can do to help."

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Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, Director of RI Dept. of Health addresses the media in November 2021. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

RI health dir. Alexander-Scott stepping down

The Boston Globe

"United Way of Rhode Island chief impact and equity officer Larry Warner said [the departure of] Alexander-Scott was another example of a R.I. leader of color whose tenure was cut too short... 'We've been responding to a five-alarm public health crisis for two years, and it's clear that the public health chief has not been in charge.'"

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Graphic with headshots of nine members of Forbes Nonprofit Council who share steps to build a self-funding nonprofit model.

9 Steps To Build A Self-Funding Nonprofit

Forbes Nonprofit Council

"One goal for every nonprofit business owner is to build a self-funding nonprofit business... Nine members of Forbes Nonprofit Council, including Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, share the most effective steps... other nonprofit business owners can follow to attain their self-funding goals."

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Chutzpah! logo.

Chutzpah! Episode 7: Cortney Nicolato

Jewish Rhode Island

"Chutzpah! is a podcast exploring the personal side of leadership... In episode seven, Cortney Nicolato, the president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, discusses everything from best practices in the nonprofit world to... discovering what Judaism means to her."

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Dolph Johnson, chair of United Way of Rhode Island's board of directors.

Johnson named chair of United Way board

Providence Business News

"Dolph Johnson, executive vice president and chief global human resources officer for Pawtucket-based toymaker Hasbro Inc., was recently named the new chair for United Way of Rhode Island's board of directors."

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United Way Accepting Applications for Providence Equity Fund

In collaboration with the City of Providence and aligned with its mission to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, United Way has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the Providence Equity Fund grant program. Available funding is to support strategies that promote racial and social equity, economic mobility, and educational opportunities for underserved populations in Providence.

United Way Hosts 12th Children’s Book Drive

United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is back! In April and May, we’re teaming up with Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Join us by buying and shipping books, dropping off books at one of our collection sites, or hosting a drive.

United Way Selects Leaders for Executive Director Learning Circle

Laser-focused on its work to support the needs of the state’s nonprofit community… United Way of Rhode Island has kicked off its latest Executive Director Learning Circle. The organization has selected 11 local nonprofit leaders to participate in the yearlong program that focuses on strategic development and increasing their organizations’ capacity to deliver their social impact work.

401Gives Registration Is Open to All Rhode Island Nonprofits

401Gives is returning on Monday, April 1, and United Way of Rhode Island invites all local nonprofits to participate and raise funds to support their mission-driven work. This year’s 401Gives is the fifth anniversary of what is the Ocean State’s largest single fundraiser to benefit and uplift the nonprofit sector.

Rhode Islanders Can Find Help With Medicare Open Enrollment

United Way of Rhode Island is offering assistance to those age 65 and older and adults with disabilities who need help enrolling in or reviewing their Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans for 2024 coverage. The current open enrollment period ends on Dec. 7 and is the only time at which individuals can make changes.

Medicare Open Enrollment Events 2023

United Way of Rhode Island is offering free assistance to those age 65 and older and adults with disabilities who need help enrolling in or reviewing their Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans for 2024 coverage. In addition to the community events listed here, individuals can find help with Medicare open enrollment by calling the Point at (401) 462-4444.

Statement on Rhode Island Afterschool Network Transition

United Way of Rhode Island is excited to announce that the Rhode Island Afterschool Network (RIAN) will expand its efforts effective October 1, 2023 with Rhode Island Foundation serving as its fiscal sponsor.

Sandra Mazo Appointed to Women United Global Council

The Washington Trust Company… today announced that Sandra Mazo, mortgage loan officer (NMLS # 269909), has been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide. Women United® represents 55,000 members working with United Way in more than 200 communities across the globe. Sandra was nominated by United Way of Rhode Island.

Nancy Wolanski Hired as Director of Nonprofit Resource Center

United Way of Rhode Island has hired Nancy Wolanski as the inaugural director of the state’s new Nonprofit Resource Center. She assumed the role on Monday, July 31. Most recently, Nancy was executive director of the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island.

Power The Future Career Exploration Event Open to R.I. Students

Planned to be the state’s premier youth and family career exploration and workforce development event, United Way of Rhode Island will host its first annual Power The Future on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The empowering day is open to all local students and their families, at no cost.

United Way Investing $10 Million in Community Programs

With a focus on achieving the goals of its LIVE UNITED 2025 plan to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, United Way of Rhode Island is investing $10 million in the work of community organizations over three years. These latest grants have been awarded from United Way’s Community Impact Fund and received by… 45 local nonprofits.

Power The Future

On Aug. 19, 2023, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, the area’s premier youth and family workforce development and career awareness event will be brought to you by United Way of Rhode Island. It’s called Power The Future. Power The Future will be an annual empowerment event aligned with the 2030 plan of raising incomes, […]