Stellar Start to Neighborhood Nights

With an engaged crowd of at least 80 people, WBNA's first Neighborhood Nights was a great success and brimming with good energy. Neighbors enjoyed a presentation from Alex Ellis of the Department of Planning & Development, explored WBNA Committees during the second half of our program, and more. 

Board President Matt Gabor introduces WBNA's first Neighborhood Night

Board President Matt Gabor introduces our first Neighborhood Night

Neighbors introduce themselves

Neighbors introduce themselves

Neighbors introduce themselves

Erroll Lomba, culture coordinator from West Broadway Middle School, welcomes neighbors to his school

Alex Ellis, city planner with the Providence Department of Planning & Development, presents the city's new Bike Share System

Alex Ellis, city planner with the Providence Department of Planning & Development, presents the city's new Bike Share System

Slated to launch this summer, the citywide program will be the first electric-assist bike share system in New England

Alex announces upcoming forums to get community input on locations for bike share stations

Joann and David of the Community/Comunidad 1 Committee

Joe and Rebecca of the House Tour Committee

Melissa of the Programs & Events Committee

Terry of the Neighborhood Action & Crime Watch Committee

Arleney and Caleb of the West Side Kids Committee

Emily and Savannah of the Green Initiatives Committee

Patrick and Ben of the West Side Parks Committee

Jenica of the Armory Advocacy Committee

WBNA Executive Director Kari Lang encourages neighbors to explore committees that will break out in different classrooms for meetings

Green Initiatives Committee

Armory Advocacy Committee

West Side Kids Commitee

Community Development Committee

Community/Comunidad 1 Committee

Community/Comunidad 1 Committee

West Side Parks Committee

Neighborhood Action & Crime Watch Committee

An introduction by each neighbor revealed that a wide demographic of our neighborhood and of broader Providence came out for this new monthly community gathering. It was great to see both new and familiar faces participating at this event.

After a warm welcome by Erroll Lomba, School Culture Coordinator at West Broadway Middle School (our host location for all 2018 Neighborhood Nights), Alex Ellis presented the City's new JUMP Bike Share Program – the first electric bike share system in New England. Alex is a city planner and west side neighbor.

JUMP bikes are electric-assisted to help users get up Providence's more difficult inclines, and will launch this summer. Alex announced that DPD will host a number of forums this spring to get community input on bike share station locations throughout the city. Our neighborhood's forum takes place on Monday, March 19, 6:30pm, at WBNA Headquarters (1560 Westminster Street). We hope to see you there!

After questions and answers with Alex, neighbors who chair WBNA committees gave a brief and inviting overview to each of the nine committees. We had a great turnout at our General Meeting, but it was exciting to see so many neighbors stay afterwards to take part in the work and fun of our committees.

WBNA committees are always open to new members, and are now easier than ever to get involved with as they all happen at the same time (7-8pm) and place during Neighborhood Nights.

Our next Neighborhood Nights event takes place on Monday, March 5, and features our 5th Annual Conversation with Elected Officials, a town hall style meeting from 6-7pm where you can get to know your legislators by asking questions that matter to you, followed by all WBNA Committee meetings from 7-8pm. As with all Neighborhood Nights, free food, child care and Spanish translation are provided, plus open gym!