Our In-Residence program offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, teachers, and artists to serve in the Woonsocket community. It’s simple. We offer a very few, highly-qualified professionals – entrepreneurs, business people, artists, educators, etc. – a deeply discounted apartment in exchange for 16 hours per week of community service with eligible NWBRV community programs. Residents are expected to live, work, serve, and enjoy the City of Woonsocket for a year-to-year rental agreement, eligible for renewal after an evaluation each year.
Interested in becoming a CBIR?
CBIR’s live in the Constitution Hill neighborhood of Woonsocket. Located adjacent to the City’s historic downtown and Blackstone River and just steps away from public transportation, restaurants, and other attractions, the units offer a cozy community feeling with an urban core experience.
Apply Now! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. View our CBIR application. Completed applications can be e-mailed to Lucia Delaroca.
Our Current CBIRs
It takes a special person to serve as a Community Builder-in-Residence (CBIR) – talent, motivation, and a desire to make change are all key factors to success in the program. There are six In-Residence spots available through our Community Builder-in-Residence program.
Profiles of our CBIRs:
Eben Dente: Eben Dente came to NeighborWorks in November of 2016 after graduating from the New England Institute of Technology with a degree in Video and Art Production. His experience with youth comes from many years serving as a mentor at his church. He has considered trying to build up the community he lives in as one of his consistent lifelong goals, and so this position at the C3 Center excites him greatly. With his West African (specifically Ghanaian) heritage, Eben is happy to connect with many of the kids at the C3 Center who have similar backgrounds. He is excited to help all the students through potential struggles and be there for them during high points as a source of strong support and encouragement. Eben can be reached at edente@nwbrvcollegeready.org.
Josh LeBlanc: Former site coordinator for NWBRV’s North Smithfield youth program, Josh LeBlanc brings his background in exercise as a gym/health teacher at Spurwink, RI to the team. LeBlanc received his bachelors from Wheaton College (MA) in business and is currently getting his masters in teacher leadership at the University of Southern Maine. Some of Josh’s hobbies include basketball, working out, and managing his own music business as an independent artist. He is also a master of ceremonies for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in the Boston area. Josh is returning to the Neighborworks team with his unique perspective and revitalizing his relationships with the students that he still stays in contact with. Josh can be reached at jleblanc@nwbrvcollegeready.com.
Nwando Ofakansi: Nwando Ofokansi first joined the NWBRV team as an AmeriCorps Summer VISTA in 2010. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in Sociology, Philosophy, and African & African Diaspora Studies, she returned to NeighborWorks as a full-year Americorps VISTA. When her VISTA term of service ended, she decided to continue her work with this organization, so in 2014 she became a Community Builder-in-Residence (CBIR). At the NeighborWorks C3 Center, she is the Adviser of the CRC’s Sure Track to College program. Through Sure Track, she mentors high school and college-aged students to prepare them for success in higher education and their future careers. Nwando’s background is in community development and public health. She is currently working on Masters degrees in Nonprofit Leadership Strategy and Social Justice & Community Organizing. In much of Nwando’s work, she uses intersectionality and critical-race feminism to unravel the impact of culture, identity, and oppression on health outcomes. She hopes to continue building healthy and successful communities, and to one day have a house full of kittens. Nwando can be reached at nofokansi@nwbrvcollegeready.org.