Dear Friends,

We have a lot of exciting things to share with you this month!

Before we dive in, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the devastation this hurricane season has caused to date. Among the many impacts of natural disasters, survivors of domestic violence are at increased risk for experiencing physical and emotional abuse in the aftermath. Our hearts are with all the people of Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina, especially victims of domestic violence who will be navigating a double crisis in the weeks and months to come.

Here in New England, the signs of fall are everywhere– the leaves are starting to turn, apple cider is in the supermarket, and mornings are brisk. I hope you are finding moments to enjoy the beauty of autumn!

In Solidarity,

Jessica Walsh

Executive Director

Continue reading September News & Updates.

Dear Friends,

This month we are highlighting some of our policy advocacy work. We are excited to share with you some of the concrete ways we are advocating at the city and state level for safer futures for survivors of domestic violence in our community.

Advocacy is at the core of what we do every single day– in fact, nearly all of our frontline staff have “advocate” in their job title. At the individual level, we advocate for clients within the various systems they must navigate on their journey to safety– the justice system, the housing system, social safety net programs and services– to ensure they get the supports they need. At the community level, as the backbone agency of the Newport Health Equity Zone, we advocate for changes that will make Newport a place where all people can thrive, especially survivors of domestic violence and their families. At the state level, we are part of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and we collectively advocate for priorities that meet the needs of survivors throughout the state.

I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about our advocacy efforts, and if you would like to lend your voice to advocacy efforts that support survivors, check out the RICADV’s legislative priorities.

In Solidarity,

Jessica Walsh

Executive Director

Continue reading May News & Updates

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by Jean Riesman, Strategy Specialist, Newport Health Equity Zone

After a 10-month sprint to success, Newport Health Equity Zone (HEZ) residents recently won equitable amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance for its new Innovation District, a mixed-use 40+-acre technology hub adjacent to the North End neighborhood. With the HEZ’s support, the Local Advisory Group (LAG) pushed through three zoning amendments to spur workforce housing in large development projects, sharply define parks as well as civic and open space, and set the ground rules for community benefits agreements based on independent community-impact reports. The North End has been cut off from the rest of the city since the 1960s by the Pell Bridge’s elevated ramp structure; now that those ramps are coming down, much of the Innovation District will be built on that newly-valuable land. With the prospect of displacement and gentrification swamping the residential neighborhood, the Newport HEZ helped launch the LAG in 2021, recruiting Smart Growth America as consultant to convert resident priorities into an equitable-development strategy for the North End. Passed unanimously by the Newport City Council in on May 11, the zoning amendments were the first concrete policy change as a direct result of this process. 

This work crosses over into the Newport HEZ’s role as the Women’s Resource Center’s Prevention Department, by helping the community create conditions that will prevent domestic violence as well as providing pathways to independence. By incentivizing developers to build housing that is attainable for working families, the amendments will create more options for our neighbors who are survivors of domestic violence survivors seeking safety for their families. 

The amendments also clarify the types of green and open space in the required set-aside for major developments, focusing on usable, accessible spaces for the neighborhood – again, supporting the prevention of domestic violence in our community. Studies show that proximity to trees and parks is correlated with reduced rates of domestic violence, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights increasing access to green space as a promising community strategy for preventing domestic violence. 

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to celebrate the mothers and mother figures in our lives this Sunday, I want to take a moment to honor all the people who have been navigating this pandemic in a momming role. Almost overnight, everything about parenting became that much harder—from finding childcare to getting groceries, from managing schooling to figuring out how to work ourselves. Two years later, many of the struggles have morphed, but the elevated demands of mothers (and fathers) remain. To all the moms out there—I see you, and I hope that you are finding time to breathe.

At the WRC we have a lot of mothers and mother figures on staff. I have watched these amazing folks care for their children while simultaneously digging deep to care for their clients and community. I have appreciated getting to know all the babies and young ones as we worked remotely. To the moms working here at the WRC—I see you, too.

We of course have many clients who are mothers and mother figures. These survivors have been navigating multiple crises at once; for them, trying to keep their family safe over the past two years involved layers of challenge that many of us have never had to consider. To the survivor moms in our community—I see you, too.

On this Mother’s Day, let’s have some #realtalk— let’s ask the moms in our lives how they are coping, and really listen to their responses. And if we are asked that question, let’s be honest in our response. It’s okay to not be okay.

When I reflect on the last two years, to be honest, I’m not sure how I have juggled it all. When my 6 year old informs me that I’m “called to a meeting in the morning” to discuss an issue that is on her mind, I hope that at a minimum, these past couple years have let her see what it means to be a fierce mama and a fierce advocate, simultaneously.

Happy Mother’s Day!

In Solidarity,

Jessica Walsh

Executive Director

Continue reading April News & Updates

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