This page is a resource for Federal Hill and West End neighbors about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Information changes hourly, I will update it often. For information about citywide services, please visit the Providence Emergency Management Agency.
Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Our Community
As Rhode Island moves into re-opening phases, it’s critical that we continue to practice social distancing and that we protect ourselves and one another. I wear a mask to protect my neighbors. We’re all in this together.
Keep up to date with Rhode Island Re-opening Guidelines here.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. For a 20 second count, Sing “Happy Birthday” twice, or check out this link for some other song options.
Stay home if you’re not feeling well. That means even the grocery store is off limits. Ask for help with errands and any other isolation concerns here.
Health Information
Rhode Island Department of Health has a hotline number for coronavirus information. Call 401-222-8022.
Testing for the Coronavirus. You don’t need to have insurance to get tested for the corona virus, everyone in Rhode Island has access to tests. Find out more here.
School Information
Providence Public Schools are closed and will begin distance learning programs on Monday March 23. Stay up to date on PPSD here.
Food Access for Youth & Families: Stay up to date on food distribution here
Grand & Go Breakfast and Lunch PPSD is providing three days of meals for youth up to age 18 on Tuesday’s and Friday’s from 4-6 pm.
William D’ Abate Elementary, 60 Kossuth St.
DelSesto Middle School, 152 Springfield St.
E-Cubed Academy, 812 Branch Ave.
Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School, 1450 Broad St.
Nathaniel Greene Middle School, 721 Chalkstone Ave.
Vartan Gregorian Elementary, 455 Wickenden St.
Hope High School, 324 Hope Street
Mt. Pleasant High School, 434 Mt. Pleasant Ave.
Providence Career and Technical Academy/PCTA, 41 Fricker St.
Reservoir Avenue Elementary, 156 Reservoir Ave.
Juanita Sanchez High School, 182 Thurbers Ave.
Gilbert Stuart Middle School, 188 Princeton St.
Times2 Academy, 50 Filmore St.
Webster Avenue Elementary, 191 Webster Ave.
Dinner is available for pickup at any Rec Center in the City of Providence. Tuesdays and Fridays, from 4 - 6 pm for Providence youth (18 and under). Click here for a list of Rec Center locations.
Relief & Aid
If you need help, please call RI’s 211. 211 can connect you to a variety of services from food delivery to housing assistance. You can also send me a message. I would be happy to help you connect to services.
For Individuals: Unemployment and TDI information. Visit DLT to file a claim.
Rental Assistance: Housing Help RI is a statewide homelessness prevention initiative to assist Rhode Islanders who are experiencing housing insecurity. The program provides emergency housing assistance to very low-income renters who have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency and are at immediate risk of homelessness.
For Small Business: Call Commerce RI’s Small Business Hotline during business hours at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info@commerceri.com anytime.
Food Access: In addition to school breakfast and lunch our communities food pantries are open and available. Federal Hill House maintains two food pantries:
Our Federal Hill Food Center is located at 35 Swiss Street, in Providence, and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 12pm. For more information, please contact Fanny Mercedes at (401) 421-1095.
The Olneyville Food Center is located at 261 Manton Ave, in Providence, and is open Tuesdays 9am – 1pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am – 5pm; and Fridays 9am to 2pm. For information on the OFC, call Jackie Reyes at (401) 714-0057.
For free meal delivery for seniors and homebound community members, visit Meals on Wheels.
AMOR RI has a community response network that has been delivering food and supplies throughout COVID-19 to families and individuals.
To access AMOR´s services, call the Support Line at 401-675-1414 anytime – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Mortgage Assistance and other Housing Relief: The City of Providence has created a resource page for all housing assistance matters.
Homelessness Outreach and Assistance: The City of Providence is working with agencies who serve the homeless to ramp up protection and support. Visit the RI Coalition for the Homeless.
AMOR is keeping an awesome document with statewide relief programs, public and private.
City Services
Follow the Providence Emergency Management Agency for regular updates.
Providence is also using 311 to share information. Download the app for iphone and Googleplay.
Providence & Rhode Island are under a state of emergency. This lets city and state government move quickly to respond.
City Hall is currently closed, but staff are working remotely and sharing department information. The Mayor will be sharing reopening plans in the first week of June.
Essential city services like trash, water, police, fire, and EMS are all being maintained and city agencies are taking precautions to keep folks healthy as they go about the work of maintaining our city.
Emergency office centers are up and running, city officials are talking every day. In the meantime, City Councilors are also doing the work of the city, but we’re moving from in person meetings to phone and video chats for constituent conversations.
Essential meetings like full City Council meetings are happening. Follow Providence City Council on Facebook and Twitter for postings on public meetings and how to access them.
Call Providence City Council to connect with any constituent needs at (401)521-7477.
How to Help
Support our small businesses!
As restaurants and stores re-open, please consider supporting your favorite businesses.
Donations
Consider making a donation to organizations that serve our neighbors and have existing relationships of trust in our community.
Suggest other organizations you’d like to see reflected by email.
Volunteer
Offer & Ask for help: The WBNA is organizing a neighbors helping neighbors network, folks who commit to safely reaching out to others on the street to offer connection and assistance. Join us.
For those of us who are young and healthy, check-in on your neighbors especially older folks and families with young children who might need extra help.
Thank you! City & state elected officials & civil servants who are working around the clock. Thank you to our health care workers, and all emergency services staff. . Thank you to all the Providence City workers who continue to maintain our city. And thank you to our incredible neighbors who are reaching out to me and to one another offering help and support.