Impact

In April 2025, RENEWport, Salve Regina University, the Rhode Island Foundation and private donors hosted famed political scientist Harvard Professor Robert D. Putnam for a talk on the collapse and revival of the American community. In the several weeks prior to this event, a series of community-based NEWPORT TOGETHER were held.

In partnership with Newport Public Schools and local organizations, RENEWport will develop supports for Pell Elementary School students and families to build community connection and increase student attendance. This project officially launched with community dinners held at Pell Elementary School. The celebratory events included community organizations and were attended by hundreds of community members.

Photo: Traci Westman, Pell Elementary School Principal, Sue Sipprelle and Ellen Pinnock, RENEWport Co-Presidents, Colleen Burns Jermain, Newport Public Schools Superintendent

Newport in Bloom has been planting daffodils around the city since 2012 and publishes a "Daffy Map" in the springtime for residents and visitors. There was a marked lack of daffodils in Newport's underserved North End. RENEWport Community Group was able to bring together Newport in Bloom, the Miantonomi Park Commission, the City of Newport, and private donors. Beginning in 2024, 38,000 daffodils bloom annually in the North End of Newport!