NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley (NWBRV) is a community development corporation that works with residents, businesses, and neighborhood institutions to enrich neighborhood life and make affordable housing opportunities available throughout Northern Rhode Island.
Expanding on our mission
NWBRV works with communities and residents to open opportunities for everyone to live and work in exceptional homes and neighborhoods throughout the Blackstone Valley.
We believe that where we live matters. Our neighborhoods, and all they encompass, shape our lives and in many ways, determine our opportunities, especially our children’s.
We believe that good affordable housing, in a quality neighborhood provides a solid grip on the American Dream, making a better life possible.
We build neighborhoods and communities of greater opportunity, justice and prosperity for everyone, especially for low and moderate-income families and individuals. We strive to collaborate and create places that inspire hope, promote creativity, learning and enterprise and encourage investment while eliminating barriers that perpetuate poverty.
We work with residents, communities and other stakeholders to overcome and remove the barriers that stand in the way of affordable housing development. We then build or renovate homes, apartments, learning centers and other community facilities that contribute to personal growth and transformation and enhance the larger community.
To further enrich community life, we spearhead special initiatives and projects that bring residents together to plan and take action to create positive change, build prosperity, and make their neighborhoods exceptional places to live, work and invest.
Our vision for the future
Our vision for the Blackstone River Valley Region’s neighborhoods is one of a bright future that holds great promise for the people who live and work here:
- Newcomers are warmly welcomed and the experience and knowledge of long time residents is treasured and utilized. Numerous stakeholder contributions have made the Valley’s neighborhoods vital, engaging places that attract positive community attention and investment. There is a spirit of camaraderie and neighbors feel safe, secure and proud of their neighborhood. Opportunity and choices abound for all.
- There are a variety of affordable homes available for rental or purchase. Houses are well kept and attractive on tree lined streets and avenues. The housing market is robust and active, but not beyond the financial reach of long time residents and the Region’s average worker. Homelessness is a thing of the past.
- There is a surplus of jobs that pay a living wage, as well as apprenticeship and training programs for those looking to increase their earning power and move off government assistance. Entrepreneurs and existing businesses are successful and are a source of community pride, regional innovation, prosperity and wealth. There is a coordinated partnership of government, business and residents to maintain and expand communities’ and the region’s wealth and economic base.
- Neighborhood shopping areas provide attractive environments with a variety of retail, service and commercial establishments that are able to meet consumers’ needs and attract tourists and out-of-towners to the area.
- Community parks and open spaces are beautiful and well maintained and offer a variety of activities and programs for all ages. They serve as gathering places to celebrate heritage and community, and build pride and community cohesiveness.
- Local government is responsive and concerned about the quality of life for all residents, including its least well off. It is committed to supporting resident leadership development and decision-making. The rank of government employees, and membership on various municipal boards and commissions is diverse and representative of the community’s ethnic, racial and gender makeup. Residents are proud of their elected officials and respect their leadership and concern for the public good. There is productive and serious debate about important community issues and concerns.
- Children are thriving—they are engaged and successful in their schoolwork, community service, arts and athletics. They are healthy and they are excited about beginning their personal journey of life-long learning. Their parents, teachers, neighbors and the community at large support them to the fullest. This support, in turn, compels them to have far reaching aspirations, and to achieve excellence in all their endeavors. Youth leaders are always emerging, trained and nurtured to assume leadership roles in all aspects of organizational and community governance.
- Local institutions are supported by the community and are well connected to it. They are a positive reflection of their members. They further the community’s deepest spiritual, creative, and community aspirations, and they are recognized for their contributions in building better citizens and neighborhoods.
- Civility is a community value, and antisocial behavior is not tolerated. Residents are excited and proud to volunteer their time to organizations and projects that contribute to the betterment of their neighborhoods.
- Nonprofit and health and human services necessary to improve resident’s quality of life are available for all who need them. Providers are recognized statewide for the quality of their work, their cultural competency, and the level of cooperation with which they deliver their service. Collaboration within a comprehensive service network in the Region is enabling low income, disabled and other at-risk groups to participate in and contribute to the community’s growth and prosperity.
