In 2023, PPS is once again joining Rhode Island’s day of giving – an opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help nonprofit organizations connect to the larger community. Please join our 401Gives campaign and help us launch Building Works, our initiative to train the next generation of preservation superstars. 

Providence has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and many residents and landlords don’t have the skills or funds to maintain these older buildings. That leaves more than a third of Providence residents unhappy with the condition of their homes. And most local building and preservation trades companies struggle to hire skilled workers, saying existing training programs are inadequate.

Building Works trains residents and tradespeople to repair and maintain older buildings. It expands on our three-year-old Window & Workforce Training Program, as well as a more recent weekend-long window workshop for homeowners and hobbyists. Already, 32 of our trainees from diverse backgrounds have found satisfying, well-paying jobs in related fields.

We have raised the startup capital for a centrally-located shop on Sims Avenue. Now we need $70,000 more to fully fund year-one operating expenses, and we need you to tell your friends and family members about this important initiative and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference. Next, stay tuned for our line-up of spring and summer webinars and workshops on high-demand topics like water management and old-house repair basics.

So, get ready to give! Starting at 6:00 am on March 31, visit PPS’ 401Gives page and make a donation to us – and other great participating nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.

Yours truly,

Brent Runyon