Community Works Rhode Island

COMMUNITY WORKS RI ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP

by Rachel Newman Greene on July 19, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COMMUNITY WORKS RI ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP

July 16, 2012 – CommunityWorks RI, a non-profit community development corporation in Providence welcomes new Executive and Real Estate leadership. Bert Cooper, most recently the Senior Program Officer for the Green and Healthy Homes initiative has taken the helm as Executive Director. Frank Murphy, Registered Architect is now leading the Real Estate team.

“The Directorship at CommunityWorks provides me the opportunity to bring my experience establishing diverse partnerships and coalitions to address pressing community needs to a community development corporation with a proven ability to improve the neighborhoods in which it works,” says Cooper.

As Senior Project Officer for the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, Cooper helped lead an innovative national demonstration in 15 Cities, including Providence, RI, New Haven CT, Buffalo NY, Oakland CA and Philadelphia, PA to make homes in low income communities more energy efficient, healthy and safer for children and families. Prior to this he established the Pathways to Opportunity office for the City of Providence wherein he implemented strategies to increase economic opportunities for Providence residents.

Cooper has also held leadership positions as the Director of Family Economic Success for the Making Connections Providence initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and as Manager of Hope VI Community and Supportive Services for the Seattle Housing Authority in Seattle, WA.

Frank Murphy joined the CommunityWorks team this past spring. He brings a wealth of experience in real estate development. Most recently the principal of Frank J Murphy Architect, he led commercial and residential projects that included the renovation of the Cable Car Cinema Café and Fete Music and the creation of over 30 units of affordable housing. Murphy brings deep experience developing and managing housing finance strategies to create affordable rental and homeownership opportunities and is familiar with multiple funding sources including BHRI,
Thresholds, and HUD’s 811, HOME, and NSP programs, among others. Murphy has also held architect positions with Donald Powers Architects, Dileonardo International and Durkee Brown Viveiros & Werenfels Architects.

Kate Trimble, Board President of CommunityWorks comments, “The combined community and real estate development experience of both Bert Cooper and Frank Murphy promise an innovative approach to the future projects of CommunityWorks Rhode Island.”

CommunityWorks RI creates opportunities within the neighborhoods its serves for people to live in affordable and healthy homes, to improve their lives and strengthen their communities. CommunityWorks RI provides a comprehensive approach to neighborhood stabilization through investment in mixed-income housing, commercial and community space; sustainable management of its asset portfolio; community building and organizing; and homeowner training, foreclosure counseling, and financial literacy classes.

CONTACT: Bert Cooper, Executive Director

PHONE: (401) 273-2330 x 104

EMAIL: bcooper@communityworksri.org

{ 0 comments }

CWRI Announces 2012 Homebuyer Education Schedule

by Rachel Newman Greene on January 5, 2012

in Announcements,Classes,Community

We have set our 2012 Schedule for homeowner education!

These courses are an excellent opportunity to learn about how to purchase your first home (or your next home if you have not owned one in the past 3 years), to tackle debt, develop a personal budget and other vital financial skills. Landlord/tenant classes are especially for those wishing to purchase a multi-family home. Homebuyers must complete these classes to qualify to purchase a CWRI affordable home and/or receive down payment assistance.

All classes are available in English or Spanish.

First-time Homebuyer Classes

For anyone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years. The classes meet Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30. Each class is six 2-hour sessions.

February 1 – March 7
March 21 - April 25
May 9- June 13
June 27- August 8
August 22 – September 26
October 3- November 7

Landlord/Tenant Education:

This class is a necessity for those wishing to become a resident landlord. It covers the rights and responsibilities of landlords, financial management of rental properties, and other important information. The classes meet Saturdays, 10:00 am – noon. Each class is three 2-hour sessions.

February 4 – February 18
March 10 – March 24
April 14 – April 28
May 12 – May 26
June 9 – June 23
July 7 – July 21
August 4 – August 18
September 8 – September 22
October 13 – October 27
November 3 – November 17

Call 401-273-2330 x101 today to register and start on the path to home ownership!

{ 0 comments }

Revitalized Homes for Sale

by Rachel Newman Greene on February 3, 2011

in Community,For Sale,Real Estate,Uncategorized

Like neighborhoods across America, CWRI neighborhoods feel the impact of the ongoing foreclosure crisis. Boarded-up homes create opportunities for crime and vandalism, create risks to public safety, bring down property values and frustrate neighbors who have worked so hard to create good places to live and raise families.

Through a partnership with the National Community Stabilization Trust, CWRI is fighting this threat by acquiring and rehabilitating foreclosed homes throughout CWRI’s target neighborhoods. After rehabilitation, CWRI sells the homes to first-time home buyers who have received training and education to make sure that they do not become the next victims of foreclosure.

CWRI is currently rehabilitating three beautiful homes to be sold to qualified first-time home buyers. These one- and two-family homes are an amazing opportunity to own a fully rehabilitated home with the unique architectural details typical of many of the Victorian neighborhoods CWRI serves.

For information about purchasing one of these homes, contact Silvia Acevedo, CWRI Housing Counselor at 401-273-2330 x109 .

◊ ◊

CWRI HOMES FOR SALE:

14 Lillian single family before renovation

14 Lillian Avenue, Providence

Fully restored one-family home on a beautiful street
1,935 sf of living space
4 bedrooms and 2 full baths
$130,000 to qualified buyers

◊

31 Mawney 2-family before renovation

31 Mawney Street, Providence

Totally renovated two-family home- a great investment for a first time buyer
Owner’s unit includes 2,109 sf of living space, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths
Rental unit includes 1,118 sf of living space, 2 bedrooms, full bath
$165,000 to qualified buyers

◊

: 102 Mitchell Street 2-family before renovation

102 Mitchell Street, Providence

Totally renovated two-family home- a great investment for a first time buyer
Owner’s unit includes 2,213 sf of living space, 4 bedrooms, full bath, 3/4 bath
Rental unit includes 1,093 sf of living space, 2 bedrooms and full bath
$160,000 to qualified buyers

{ 0 comments }

Beautiful New Commercial and Residential Spaces for Lease on Broad Street

by Rachel Newman Greene on February 3, 2011

in For Rent,Real Estate

New Broad Street Revitalization family apartments on Reynolds Avenue

CWRI’s Broad Street Revitalization development is nearing completion, and Broad Street looks better each day as the buildings at the corners of Chester, Reynolds and Potters Avenues get their final touches. This development was made possible through Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds through Rhode Island Housing, the Building Homes Rhode Island program and the Home Depot Foundation.

The four buildings include 25 new family apartments, eight of which will be occupied by families receiving supportive services through Crossroads Rhode Island. The apartments, two 1-bedrooms, eleven 2-bedrooms and twelve 3-bedrooms, feature Energy Star Appliances and are available at affordable rates to qualifying tenants. For information about renting one of these fantastic new apartments, contact First Realty Management at 401-272-3963 or stop by the management office at 57 Parkis Avenue at the corner of Parkis and Elmwood.

Apartments and Commercial Space Near Completion at 640 Broad Street

Apartments and Commercial Space Near Completion at 770 Broad Street

The development has also created over 5,000 square feet of beautiful new commercial space on Broad Street, including nearly 1300 square feet for use by a community-based agency.

For information about renting this prominent commercial space on Broad Street, contact CWRI Real Estate Project Manager Debora Rotondo at 401-273-2330 x102, or email her at drotondo@communityworksri.org .

CWRI is especially excited that 640 Broad will become Rhode Island’s first LEED Platinum rated affordable housing development. The building’s nine apartments and four thousand square feet of retail space were built using green materials and designed to be extremely energy efficient, creating healthy and economical spaces in which to live and work. More information about the LEED green building certification system

{ 0 comments }

CWRI to Transform “Wedding Cake House” into Affordable Condominiums

by Rachel Newman Greene on February 3, 2011

in In The News,Press Releases,Real Estate,Uncategorized

copy-of-514-broadway

Community Works Rhode Island has acquired a significant historic residence at 514 Broadway, to be renovated as five affordable condominium units.

January 21, 2011, Providence, RI Community Works Rhode Island (CWRI) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the architecturally significant building at 514 Broadway in Providence, RI. CWRI will renovate this neglected and foreclosed property into five condominium units that will be set at a price that is affordable to income qualified buyers.

Carrie Marsh, Executive Director of CWRI said “CWRI is thrilled with the opportunity to acquire 514 Broadway, a significant property which retains its beauty, dignity and grace, despite decades of neglect. It is a building that captures the interest of many people who wonder at its past and envision its potential. The federal funding for this project will allow CWRI to save this foreclosed property and renovate it into bright, beautiful and energy-efficient living spaces, to be sold to homeowners at an affordable level. This project is a key piece of the ongoing transformation of Broadway as a vital main street of the West Side neighborhood.”

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

2009 Annual Report and 2010 Annual Plan

by Peter on December 23, 2009

in Announcements

Community Works Rhode Island is proud to release its 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Annual Plan. The report is available as a PDF, click here to view the report.

Community Works Rhode Island creates opportunities within the neighborhoods it serves for people to live in affordable and healthy homes, to improve their lives and to strengthen their communities. The goal is to transform underserved neighborhoods to be more sustainable.

{ 0 comments }

Community Works RI’s Youth Garden Club Celebrates Partnership with Local 121 Restaurant

by Peter on October 3, 2009

in Announcements,Press Releases

(Providence, RI September 28, 2009)

Community Works Rhode Island’s Youth Garden Club will celebrate its partnership with Local 121 restaurant, with an onsite cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Dave Johnson. The event will take place on Tuesday September 29th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the community garden at 75 Laura Street in Providence’s Elmwood neighborhood

A dozen Elmwood neighborhood youth ages 9-14 participate in CWRI’s Garden Club under the supervision of teacher Gregg DeMaria. The children grow produce for their families and also sell vegetables and herbs to Local 121 restaurant in downtown Providence. Chef Dave Johnson will tour the garden and demonstrate how simple cooking techniques can bring vegetables straight from the garden to the dinner plate. This event will mark the end of the growing season for the Garden Club. Local families and other community members will join the club in celebrating their successes and enjoying expertly-prepared garden-fresh foods.

The Elmwood Youth Garden Club is made up of young residents of Community Works Rhode Island housing. For the last five years, the youth have been beautifying the neighborhood and producing bushels of fresh vegetables on two Laura Street gardens. In 2008, the gardeners began visiting Dave Johnson in his kitchen at Local 121 to learn about how professional kitchens work and to show off their produce. Their visits soon turned into weekly sales, generating hundreds of dollars a season to support the youth program and providing Local 121 with tomatoes, salad greens, herbs, cucumbers and other vegetables grown by the youth in their own neighborhood.

Carrie Marsh, Executive Director of Community Works said, “The Garden Club provides an opportunity for youth to engage in an enjoyable and rewarding activity, learn stewardship over their plots of land, and feel pride in their accomplishment – easily measured by their smiles as they show off their prize cucumbers. They are rewarded with the fun of the experience, the fruits of their labor, and also with the business partnership that they have with Local 121. We are grateful for this connection to Local 121, which understands the value of sustainable community-based agriculture – in this case raised by children in the heart of an urban neighborhood.”

{ 0 comments }

Local 121 Chef to Demo Cooking with Veggies from CWRI’s Community Garden

by Sally on September 25, 2009

in Announcements,Events

Executive Chef Dave Johnson of restaurant Local 121 will celebrate the end of CWRI’s successful summer gardening program for youth. Chef Johnson will demonstrate cooking with vegetables fresh from the garden for children and families at the community garden at 75 Laura Street on September 29th from 5:00-7:00pm. Teacher Gregg DeMaria runs the summer youth gardening program for CWRI. He works with a dozen children ages 9-14 to grow vegetables and herbs. The youth share the fruits of their labor with their families, and also sell the produce to Local 121 restaurant in downtown Providence.

{ 0 comments }

The Steel Yard Makes Street Furniture for CWRI

by Sally on September 25, 2009

in Announcements

CWRI is thrilled to announce that The Steel Yard will be making benches, planters, and trashcans for the front of several main street properties in Providence. The Steel Yard collaborates with local artists, vendors and industry to produce functional public sculpture. This street furniture will be completed over the winter and placed in front of four properties on Broad Street in Providence.

{ 0 comments }