Swanette Shares 4/14/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 4/14/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

May is Spanish Mental Health Month — a time to honor our struggles, nurture our healing, and lift each other in love and solidarity, especially as our communities continue to weather storms that weigh heavily on the heart and spirit. Even in the darkest seasons, our resilience shines — and together, we rise, rooted in hope and guided by our heart work. Below, you’ll find resources to support your mental well-being and share with others.

Find resources here from Mental Health America

Have you heard about…

  • The Lawyers’ Committee for RI (a group of local attorneys) has created a Nonprofit Legal Protection Project (NLPP). NLPP is a legal resource built to ensure that the laws that protect federal funding to nonprofits will be followed and enforced so nonprofits can continue to fulfill their charitable missions.
    • NLPP is also looking for local attorneys, and other professionals, that are interested in volunteering their time and expertise to help community organizations. For more information, please contact Amy Romero at [email protected] or call 401-453-1500.
    • They will be coordinating training and technical assistance workshops, office hours, and consultations with local attorneys to help organizations respond to the changing regulatory and funding environment. The remaining upcoming Office Hours sessions are:
      • 4/23 at 10am | DEI Certifications – In some cases, nonprofit organizations that receive federal funding are being asked to submit “DEI Certifications” as an additional condition on current awards. This Office Hours will focus on best practices to address this new item in grant funding conditions.
      • 5/8 at 11am | Changes in Grant Conditions – Federal policies can shift rapidly, affecting compliance, funding, and operations for organizations that rely on federal grants. This Office Hours session will focus on key considerations as federal agencies roll out new grant conditions applicable to funding awards to nonprofit organizations
  • Recent layoffs have deeply impacted our friends at RIFPC and several key allies in the RI food system. Despite these challenges, RIFPC is committed to redoubling its efforts and working alongside its members to restructure and build a more equitable and resilient food system in Rhode Island
    • Learn more about being an On-call advocate for RIFPC here.
  • May is Bike to Work Month. Join others in the 2025 No Pollute Commute Bike to Work Challenge. Learn more about it here.
  • Our friends at RI Humanities, part of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), have been affected by the federal funding cuts that help them support the RI communities with grants. They have currently paused grantmaking indefinitely and are fighting to restore this funding.
    • Read action alerts here
    • If you would like to advocate for the cuts made to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
      • You can use their template to contact your members of Congress and express yourself
      • You can share your story with RI Humanities on how these funding cuts impact organizations, individuals, and our communities.

Advocacy & Legislation

  • 4/15 at 9 am | Zoom Press Conference with Economic Progress Institute and Congressman Magaziner on the current passage of the federal budget resolution that plans to slash Medicaid and SNAP funding. Register here.
  • DARE RI holds weekly tenant & homeowner association meetings in Providence every Tuesday at 6pm at 340 Lockwood Street in Providence. Contact Kinverly for more information at [email protected] or 401-291-0847
    • DARE is currently advocating for rent stabilization in Providence with a proposed 4% rent cap ordinance, meaning rent could only go up 4% per year in Providence.
    • If you live and/or work in Providence and agree with these efforts, you can contact your local councilor using this template by DARE. Not sure who your local representative is? Find out here.
  • Sign up for a lobby day here to advocate for transportation rights at the statehouse with the Save RIPTA campaign team!
    • 4/22 = Older Adults & Disability Focus
    • 4/29 = Union/Drivers & Workers Focus
    • 5/6 = Lobby Day open to everyone   

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

  • Did you know that RI SNAP recipients qualify for the SNAP Employment and Training program? This free federal program provides job training for adults who participate in SNAP and are not currently receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) / RI Works.
    • SNAP E&T Catalog: https://risnapet.org/
    • 4 new providers added, including Turning Around Ministries in Newport, Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Newport Community School, and expansion of services and capacity at the Refugee Dream Center
  •  Free Lactation CEU’s from MDH Learning Center
  • 4/24 webinar 12-1:30pm | Unlocking Access: Federal Policy Updates and Changes in the First 100 days for RI and MA based partners. Learn more and register here.
  • 4/24 – 6/12 | The Reentry Campus Program is hosting a free 8-week program for justice-impacted individuals. Learn more and register here.
  • 5/16 Open Doors and RWU Fair Chance Job Fair | Employers can register for a table here.

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Week by week Summer Camp guide by www.kidsoutandabout.com
  • 4/18 Downtown Providence Earth Day Clean-up to help keep downtown parks clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Starts at 9am at The Landing (101 Dyer Street in Providence)
  • 4/22 Earth Day Gathering at the Urban Perinatal Education Center (UPEC) | Learn about seedling starting and assist in cleaning up around UPEC and gathering to give gratitude to Mother Earth
  • 4/26 East Providence Earth Day Clean up Veterans Memorial Parkway. Meet others at 1 pm at the Easy t Bay Bike Path parking lot (66 Veterans Memorial Parkway East Providence RI 02914)
  • 4/26 Fam Jam and Earth Cleanup Day. Register for free here.
  • 5/3 Care in the Square Event 9-12 pm | A community event focused on beautifying Trinity Square with a mural on a fence, installing street signage, planting street trees and tree pits, cleaning Grace Church cemetery and street cleaning. The Salvation Army will be providing lunch. Learn more here.

Self-care resources/events

Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

Take Care,

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

RI CHW Ambassador – National Association of Community Health Workers
[email protected]

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?