Providence College's Urban Action program was launched by Providence College in 1991, with 17 students volunteering the first year. Since its inception, Urban Action has continued to thrive under the direction of Providence College students, who have trained a succession of student leaders with a passion for growing the program.

Since its founding, more than 1,500 freshmen have donated thousands of hours of volunteer services, with many returning each year as upperclassmen leaders. Students also participate in similar neighborhood improvement projects, working one Saturday a month throughout the academic year.

The Program

Urban Action offers incoming freshmen at Providence College  an exciting opportunity to spend their first days in Rhode Island's capital city of Providence improving the community that will be their "home away from home" for the next four years. Incoming freshmen are invited to apply during the summer orientation program. Each year, 150 students are selected to participate.

Participating students arrive on campus five days before their new classmates and settle into their regularly assigned residence hall rooms. Led by 25 upperclassmen, 150 freshmen spend three days working - rain or shine - on outdoor and indoor service projects important to the Providence community. In the evenings, students spend time reflecting on the meaning of their service and participating in "getting-to-know you" activities and entertainment.

In 2002, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized Providence College students for their "outstanding contributions and achievements ... in support of an institutional program" by honoring them with a Silver Seal of Excellence award.