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5/21/2021
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Rep. Williams calls for Oversight Committee hearing regarding the Nonviolence Institute
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence) is calling on the House Oversight Committee to hold a hearing regarding the operations and financials of the Nonviolence Institute located in Providence. Representative Williams is a member of the House Oversight Committee.
“Our communities are being plagued with violence and crime and sadly, it is only getting worse. And with over 20 years of operation in the City of Providence, the Institute, in my opinion, has been lacking in its response to violence in our streets, communities and urban core for the past several years. The complaints of the lowly paid street workers has been alarming to me and it is easy to see why so many of these individuals have left the Institute over the years. Beyond dear Sister Keefe, I have watched the administrators of the Institute enjoy their hefty paychecks while ignoring the pleas and concerns of the dedicated real street workers on the front lines, therefore allowing the violence that is plaguing our communities to increase.
“Oversight is needed within the Institute. It has become complacent with identifying and addressing the perpetual violence experienced by the people in our urban core over the years, resulting in the many current violent incidents unfolding on our streets that we all are witnessing. If the Institute is seeking an increase in public funding, accountability for how they have been spending money in the past, their current budget and how this new money is intended to be spent, as well as the quality of the services that the Institute claims to have provided and will provide, and proof of what they have achieved must be documented in detail. Simply put, if this new funding comes through, real and meaningful contacts and results must be attained for the individuals, families, and neighborhoods of Rhode Island’s urban core.
“Transparency and accountability for the failure to curtail, or even stop, the violence in our streets must be present in any increased funding proposal I support moving forward and it is for these reasons that I am requesting that the House Oversight Committee look into the Nonviolence Institute to ensure that the public’s dollars are being properly spent on making our streets safer for all.
“With that said, and with a another second large infusion of federal dollars coming to our state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous non-profits and other entities have come forward requesting funds for varying community initiatives to combat inequality and the ongoing daily troubles experienced by residents in our urban core. I am calling on all of these organizations to present what they have done, what their successes have been, and how this further public investment will be spent properly to support and protect our residents and communities. In my opinion, concrete and transparent action plans must be in place and vetted before any further infusion of taxpayer money is allocated and received. My highest priority and concern is that we do not leave behind the residents of our state who have been the most adversely affected by the pandemic, namely the poor, the vulnerable and the community of color, who are continuously being used for acquiring said money without receiving their just and fair share of the benefits obtained by these relief packages, which has sadly happened to them far too often in the past,” concluded Representative Williams.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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