Neighborly Actions: the tentative return
Organizing for tenant power, mutual aid for unhoused Rhode Islanders, and direct support for a neighbor.
Hi everyone. If you want to know how the participatory budgeting went, the results are here. *chants* PUBLIC! RESTROOMS! PUBLIC! RESTROOMS! Plus water filtration for lead, peer mental health support, and more.
I’ve been quiet for a minute because I’ve been working on a book about living in climate change with purpose and care (if anyone remembers the Climate Anxiety Counseling booth, it’s partly about that) and I got a solid draft in yesterday. I don’t want to cross the streams too much, so if you want information about the book, you can sign up for my other newsletter. If you continue to want information about things to do with and for our neighbors in the Greater Providence area, this is still your spot. Here are a few coming up.
ASAP: A trans femme neighbor needs funds for housing (request via Ocean State A$$/Ocean State Advocacy. CashApp $psychsiren / Venmo @psychsiren. If you do sex work and you’re in need, or know someone who’s in that situation, OSA’s mutual aid fund is now open for applications.
Sunday, 7/23, 2-5pm, Donigian Park (Valley St, Providence): The Providence Organization of Workers and Renters is holding a FREE community BBQ to share what they’re learning and doing about building worker and tenant power in Providence. If your rent is too high, if inflation is eating your paycheck, if your landlord won’t fix the sink or remediate the mold, this is your party. They’ve asked that people text “BBQ” to 401-764-4960 if they’re coming, and you can direct your questions (about bathrooms, rain dates, or anything else) to that number as well.
By the end of July: Police in Cranston are compelling without homes to leave the encampments where they were trying to create some stability, however small. (Here’s a statement from the RI Coalition to End Homelessness.) Those people will have to find new places to stay, replace belongings that the police destroy, and rebuild the relationships on which they depend. One organization that is likely to help them do that is the Milagros Project in Woonsocket; they could use your donations if you’ve got any money to spare, and possibly your time and effort if you live in the area. You might be able to share time or clothes with the free store if you don’t have money to share right now—or pick up an outfit or a meal yourself.
With love,
Kate