Seeing Providence’s History in the Story of a Very Old Church

by Peter Laarman

Situated across the street from the Hope Club, a private social club on College Hill, and outfitted with the biggest bell ever cast by Paul Revere & Sons, the First Unitarian Church looks like an imposing historical institution. It is that, but it’s not solely [...]

What Does the Future Hold for Literary Arts in Providence Schools? A Conversation with Tina Cane

by Julia Yakirevich

Literary arts can play a crucial role in developing students’ critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and sense of civic engagement. Tina Cane, former RI Poet Laureate In a city rich with cultural history and a vibrant arts scene, the state of literary arts in Providence [...]

The Freedom to Read– In Providence, Librarians, Authors, and More Speak Out on Banned Books 

by Eloise Narrigan

“Our public and school libraries are more than just buildings with books. They’re spaces where kids can grow and learn, students find the resources they need to succeed, and community members of all ages and backgrounds can explore different ideas and perspectives,” said Representative David [...]

How Ingrid Neuman Conserves Sculptures at the RISD Museum

by Kristine Yang

This past November, Ingrid Neuman, senior conservator at the RISD Museum, wheeled a twelfth-century Japanese wooden Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara into Hasbro Children’s Hospital for a CAT scan. Conservators have repaired the ancient figure, a revered Buddhist symbol, over centuries — Neuman’s examination would reveal exactly where [...]

Providence is Strapped for Cash. Are Tax-Exempt Institutions Doing Enough to Help?

by Bob McMahon

Nearly half of Providence’s tax base (44%) is tax exempt. This fact requires that the 56% who pay taxes as existing property owners bear the burden anytime the city faces fiscal problems. Next year, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley wants to increase city property taxes on [...]

The Failures (and Wonders) of Fatherhood: Lucas Mann’s Latest Book Explores Being a Dad Through an Innovative Lens

by Diane Josefowicz

In his 2009 essay “The Losers’ Club,” the Pulitzer-winning novelist Michael Chabon made a surprising connection: Writers’ careers are full of failure. So is fatherhood. “A father,” Chabon wrote, “is a man who fails every day.” Chabon’s insight came back to me while I was [...]

There’s A Teachers Union Election Today — Could the PTU See Change?                  

by Catlin Preston, Jonathan Howard

Today (5/14), a Providence Teachers Union (PTU) special election will test whether teacher discontent is powerful enough to challenge the current union president’s lock on senior union spots. PVD CORE (Caucus of Rank and File Educators), a small but vocal and growing group within the [...]

In Providence, Community Members Stand on the Front Lines Against ICE

by Maya Davis

On Thursday April 24th, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained a man after a confrontation in front of his home in Providence. The man, a Dominican national living in the U.S. without legal authorization, had previously been arrested on multiple charges, including domestic violence, [...]

The Future of the Port of Providence

by Joshua Geaughan

Editor’s note: This article is the latest installment in a series of articles about the Providence port and ProvPort’s Master Planning process, written and researched by the team of student journalists at Communities of Hope. Read previous articles here and here. According to The Grantham [...]

“No Tariffs on Sharing”: Tool Libraries Offer Resilience Amid Federal Chaos

por Ella Fassler

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by Truthout. Copyright, Truthout.org. Reprinted with permission. As a handy person, Devon Curtin spends a lot of time helping people enrich their living spaces. Recently, while working with a friend to remodel their floor, Curtin noticed that the [...]