Providence College ’s Feinstein Institute for Public Service was presented an Award of Appreciation by one of its community partners, the Providence Housing Authority (PHA), during the authority’s annual meeting on December 6. This was the second time the housing authority has acknowledged the contributions of the Feinstein Institute, which is home to the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in public and community service studies, as well as the College’s Department of Public and Community Service Studies. The institute’s association with the housing authority spans nearly 12 years.

The award recognizes the service work of students at two housing developments – the nearby Chad Brown Housing Development and the Carroll Tower in Smith Hill, not far from the College. More than 20 PC students have assisted residents at both locations throughout the fall semester. At Chad Brown, a family-oriented development, the students are interacting with residents at the Rudolph Tavares Community Center and at the Chad Brown Health Center . At the Tavares Center , a youth recreation facility, PC students are leading and/or assisting after-school programs two days a week. Activities range from dodge ball and basketball to cooking and arts and crafts projects. The students’ work at the Health Center has included helping with the center’s newsletter and fundraising – most notably for a 5K walk and run benefit in September.

At Carroll Tower , a high-rise residence for the elderly and disabled, PC students helped renovate a room to create a library and contributed books and art work to the library. They continue to run a weekly Bingo game at Carroll Tower , assist a women’s group, and also help a Thanksgiving dinner for 50 of the residents in November.

Accepting the plaque on behalf of the Feinstein Institute were its director, Dr. Raymond L. Sickinger, professor of history and professor and department chair of public and community service studies; Colleen Rost-Banik, service learning coordinator for the institute; and Ashley Silvestri ’09, a community assistant, or liaison, with the institute. 

Rost-Banik emphasized that the service work being performed with residents at the public housing locations reflects the institute’s philosophy of building long-term relationships with community members. “We’re trying to build and grow relationships over time…semester after semester, year after year,” said Rost-Banik. “Our students have been very dedicated in trying to build that community.”

Nearly all of the students assisting residents at Chad Brown and Carroll Tower are members of the Introduction to Service in Democratic Communities class, which requires community service participation. Three of the students are serving as community assistants, overseeing the service work at the two Chad Brown locations and at Carroll Tower .

During the award presentation ceremony, Executive Director of PHA, Stephen O’Rourke, noted that the College’s partnership with the authority extends well beyond current service at Chad Brown and Carroll Tower . He said students have long been involved in the PC Pals after-school, youth mentoring program; assisted in a fire safety program earlier this year; and recently raised $1,100 for a Christmas party at Chad Brown.

Dr. Sickinger commented on the award, saying, “I was deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of the students who serve through the Feinstein Institute and Providence College . It is their passion and deep commitment that is being recognized in this award. I admire them for their dedication and inspiration.”