To the editor,
I really appreciated Leslie Bostrom’s article about birding along the Seekonk. I walk there often occasionally leading a walking tour for the Blackstone Park Conservancy. On Sunday November 3rd I will be the tour guide on boat trips along the Seekonk River from the Narragansett Boat Club to the Pawtucket line offered by the Blackstone Park Conservancy. https://www.blackstoneparksconservancy.org with ticket information on the home page. Tickets are free at the website. Almost complete sold out 3 40 minute rides in October. We do not go in a gale, but everyone who signs up would be notified in there is as cancellation. There will still be a bit of Autumn color and bird life can be very interesting, some years eagles. We talk history, development and ecology. No matter what the season it is beautiful, Hope you will join us.
Greg Gerritt
To the Editor:
The Save John Hope Committee would like to thank Keating Zelenke, a Mary A. Gowdey Special Projects Fellow, for her PVD Eye article covering community concerns about the future existence of the iconic, John Hope Settlement House, (JHSH).
DESPITE months of waiting for a reply, JHSH’s Board continues to ignore requests to meet with community members. Refusing to meet with people who care about John Hope’s future is a tragic mockery of responsible Board governance.
It remains a top secret why JHSH’s current Board has long failed in its responsibilities and commitment to protect John Hope’s programs and physical assets.
As such, we continue to call for the Board of Directors to be transparent and committed to championing the needs of John Hope irrespective of personal interests. Instead, a community driven process to select the majority of John Hope’s Board members should be re-instituted using open, clear and consistent selection and governing principles.
If you know any of John Hope’s current Board members, please contact them and tell them to meet with community members; John Hope’s community extends far and wide. And tell them to end their disregard for transparency and public engagement.
According to JHSH’s latest RI Annual Nonprofit Report, Board members are listed below, (by name only, as every member lists their address at John Hope Settlement House):
Board Officers
Darrell Waldron, President, Sybil Bailey, Vice President, Tilda Lewis, Secretary and
Larry Brown, Treasurer
Members of the Board of Directors
Asata Tigrai, Andrew Pereira, Robin Evans, Joseph Garnett, Harold Metts, Stephen Napolitano, Esq. and Charlene Suggs
Any help with getting John Hope’s Board members to the table for a discussion with community advocates is appreciated.
For an update on John Hope’s continued struggles, the City grant for building repairs remains ongoing. We contacted City officials to inquire about the status of John Hope’s $250,000 grant. To our knowledge, these funds will be dedicated to funding long overdue roof replacement and upgrading the Early Learning Center kitchen.
City officials confirmed they have met with JHSH representatives to discuss financial and corporate documents related to the Agency’s capacity and oversight.
John Hope’s set aside appears to be slowly moving forward, but if a final plan towards progress is not achieved soon, those City resources are at risk of being spent elsewhere.
Second, in September, the Dept of Health and Human Services childcare licenses renewed JHSH’s operating license. However, we reached out to DHS to learn more about the standards every facility must meet and any state concerns impacting JHSH’s operating license.
Our checklist of ongoing concerns include:
JHSH’s Board continues to be lacking in its governing practices. Their current Board seems indifferent to carrying out the mission and John Hope’s founding values. Board business continues to be conducted with no transparency or public notice.
Board membership and officers are akin to a merry-go-round, with a constant stream of members going on and off the Board.
The Board is unable to dutifully prepare timely tax filings, complete audits, compliance reports, maintain Board meeting records, oversee and manage finances nor make sure building repairs and maintenance of its vehicles are always top priorities.
John Hope’s Board is dismal at keeping parents, staff, funders, community members informed of issues affecting programs, services and JHSH community resources.
Governance of John Hope must be greatly improved to attract trained staff, funding and strong partners to expand services as well as discourages attracting new Board members who are totally dedicated to securing John Hope’s current and future stability.
Staff:
Agency leadership is unable to sustain a stable core of program staff, such as a food safety certified cook in their childcare center. For the first time in Agency history, Early Learning Center parents had to send daily meals with their children because of staff shortages. In general, staff turnover is disruptive and John Hope continues to struggle with staff turnover at all levels – from senior staff positions to support and childcare staffing. A systematic review of the conditions which fuels this trend must begin immediately to support staff, improve site management and align program resources more effectively.
Transparency / Public Engagement & Communication
As previously noted, John Hope’s leadership lacks the will to meet with concerned advocates for John Hope and rarely communicate with the public, neighbors or program participants in a useful manner.
John Hope has not had a functional website in months, regular outreach through social media communications is unreliable and difficult to access; there’s little to no investment in multi-cultural communications.
Properties Remain at Risk due to Lack of Care and Upgrades
On the main building, John Hope still has no signage. Throughout the building many windows are leaking, utilities are not efficient, flooring and rugs are worn out and difficult to keep sanitary, rodents enter through sections of worn wood, eaten away by wear and tear.
The gyms, floors, bathrooms and classroom areas are not in good condition and the childcare center needs attention throughout, beyond planning for a new kitchen. John Hope’s Higgins Street property remains boarded and in deteriorating condition.
Food Service:
For the first time in John Hope’s history, parents in the Early Learning Center had to send meals with their child because the agency did not have a food safety certified cook to prepare meals. Turnover on staff is not uncommon but having no in-house back up plan, (as was long-standing practice in the past), puts a burden on parents that should not even be contemplated.
In closing, we believe John Hope can be brought back to playing the important role that it had in our community, that has provided services to young and old. If you care and can help, please get in touch:
Save John Hope Committee ([email protected])
Janice (401)499-3596
Joe Almeida
Michelle Bridges
Janice Luongo
Rosa Ortiz
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