What better way to kick off June than celebrating NeighborWorks Week 2025! Staff members at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley pulled out all of the stops to honor the nationwide impact NeighborWorks network organizations have on the lives of community members, especially those here in Woonsocket. Throughout this year’s NeighborWorks Week, nearly 250 NeighborWorks organizations across the country came together to focus on “Creating Homes, Building America”–a philosophy NeighborWorks America honors every day. From June 7th through the 14th, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley hosted a variety of community events, each one more engaging and fun than the last.
The highlight of our week revolved around celebrating our stunning new stage at River Island Art Park. On Friday, June 13, we joined Senator Jack Reed, Mayor Chris Beauchamp, NeighborWorks America, and local partners at the stage ribbon cutting, just in time for the Friday evening Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series kick off.
The new stage represents years of collaboration and community investment. Funded through $447,500 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the City of Woonsocket, the project was designed and constructed by local developer Les Przybylko of LPC Construction. Built of steel, concrete, and wood, the structure reflects the city’s industrial character while offering a durable, weather-resistant, and fully ADA-accessible space for performance.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who helped secure the federal funds that made the project possible, reflected on the moment, noting, “This is not just about music. It is about community. It is about coming together as neighbors and friends, talking to each other, coming closer so that together we can meet the challenges of today and the future.”
Mayor Christopher Beauchamp served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, welcoming the crowd and thanking the many volunteers, sponsors, and city staff who helped make the night possible. “What a great night and what a great new stage we’ve got,” he said. “We’re better when we do things together. That’s what this is all about.”
City Council President Daniel Gendron added that the stage stands as “a symbol of Woonsocket’s commitment to community, culture, and connection,” emphasizing that the park improvement supports not only music and art, but also local businesses, tourism, and quality of life for residents.
The evening’s program also celebrated the extraordinary local musical talent. Woonsocket High School junior Adison Ellis opened with a moving rendition of the National Anthem, followed by a spirited performance from the Vida Church Choir, whose joyful harmonies filled the park.
Headlining the night was EhShawnee, a Dominican American pop and salsa artist who lives in Woonsocket. Throughout her set, she spoke of how meaningful it felt to perform on the new stage in her hometown. She shared her pride in seeing such a significant investment in the arts and how the space reflects the community’s growing vibrancy. “It’s amazing to be back,” she said. “I’m so proud and so grateful to perform here on the new stage.”
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who helped secure the federal funds that made the project possible, reflected on the moment, noting, “This is not just about music. It is about community. It is about coming together as neighbors and friends, talking to each other, coming closer so that together we can meet the challenges of today and the future.”
The stage sits directly beside NWBRV’s Millrace redevelopment, where 70 units of affordable housing are under construction. Fourteen apartments are already occupied, giving residents a front-row view of the concerts and creating a direct connection between housing and culture. “The Millrace development and River Island Art Park show how housing, community, and art all intersect,” said Rego. “This is what it looks like when we invest in place and in people at the same time.”
NeighborWorks America’s Emily Rosenbaum praised the project as an example of community development at its best. “Yours is one of the best NeighborWorks organizations in the country,” she said. “It’s because of community engagement and the people who are here every day. It’s because of the staff developing housing next door, revitalizing this park, and going for more.”
Celebrating community and the arts here at River Island Art Park to help kick off Woonsocket’s 2025 free summer concert series! Proud to deliver nearly $450,000 in federal funds to help fix up the stage and make this a special community space for years and concerts to come.”
Senator Jack Reed
In 2025, the Levitt Foundation is supporting 650+ free concerts in 50+ towns and cities with a total audience of nearly 1 million people. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Levitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable music ecosystems through research and partnerships. With nearly $450,000 in federal support, this upgraded space is now a stunning home every Friday this summer for the musicians that make their way through Woonsocket each summer and a beautiful point of pride for the community.
While the new stage was the highlight of the week, NeighborWorks Week 2025 began with another beloved tradition, the Front Street Block Party. Partnering with Connecting for Children and Families, we helped transform the Front Street parking lot into a hub of family fun. Despite the intense rain, families enjoyed another excellent community event. From face painting and carnival games, to bounces houses and food trucks, the free, public event provided inclusive fun for the whole family, making it a joyful start to a week centered on community.
“When neighborhoods and communities rise above their differences, nationwide issues become tangible problems,” said NWBRV Director of Resource Development and Communications Meg Rego. “NeighborWorks Week is an affirmation of what communities can accomplish when they come together. Empowered community members become able to empower others.”
Founded in 1983, NeighborWorks Week is an annual week of service where NWBRV and other nationally recognized NeighborWorks organizations across the United States highlight neighborhood change and awareness. By hosting a variety of events, we celebrate the collective impact these groups have had on increasing access to affordable housing and enriching community life. Celebrating a remarkable milestone, NeighborWorks America marks 45 years of fostering vibrant communities where individuals can access sustainable, affordable housing and enhance their neighborhoods and lives.
