See the Impact: Phi II 2025 in Action for the Love of Rhode Island

Team 1 (Team One-derful – Rhode to Home)

Team 1: Adrienne Adeyemi, Mary Ellen Benedict, Jason Cooke, Sarah Firetto, Carley Foto, Marleny Luna, Christopher Peloso, and Wilson Villamar

Project Summary: “Team One-derful is proud to launch a public awareness initiative/ campaign called The Blue Violet Project. The Blue Violet Project is a community-powered initiative to shift perceptions about homelessness in Rhode Island by inspiring empathy, dismantling stigma, and advocating for dignified solutions. Named after the state flower—a symbol of wisdom—it invites residents to bloom with understanding and take action for lasting change. The project launches with “Rhode to Home”, a powerful PSA and live event that brings together voices from across the state to spark conversation, compassion, and momentum focused on changing the narrative around homelessness in Rhode Island.”

Team 2 (Anchored 2 RI)

Team 2: Erica Estus, Devon Flanagan, Tatianna Iezzi, Andrew Kettle, Kevin Martins, Amy Nehring, Bonnie Rayta, and Jared Wilbur.

Project Summary: “We had numerous discussions about the meaning of home and how it applies to housing. We discussed that “home” is more than just the four walls where you live, but includes the community around you. After several conversations with administrators of the Domestic Violence Resource Center, we were able to identify their needs and determine how we could help as a willing group of 8. We decided to focus on cleaning up an outdoor area and beautifying an unused community space to make it a haven for the residents to enjoy.”

Team 3 (TH3 Champions)

Team 3: Nicole Chiello, Stacy Hurley, Lori Jordan, Amanda Langlais, Carinel LeGrand, Andy MacMannis, Larry Warner, and Dylan Zelazo

Project Summary: “We are partnering with Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to establish short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives to assist veterans in navigating the challenges surrounding.” housing. 

Team 4 (4 The Win)

Team 4: John Alexander, Gerina Auguste, Rebecca Brady, Shannon Broadbent, Alisha Colella, James Jennings, Nathan Kocon, and Jaelene Santos

Project Summary:  “Our team is creating a “Welcome Home Pop-Up Shop” where incoming residents of the new Crossroads Summer Street Apartments can choose essential household items for their new space, restoring a sense of dignity and control during a major life transition. We’re also partnering with the Kindness Club, an organization that works with elementary school children to promote empathy and positive behavior, to educate students about housing instability and introduce them to the work of Crossroads Rhode Island. As part of the project, students will create handmade welcome home cards for each resident, adding a meaningful and personal touch.”

Team 5 (High Five)

Team 5: Michael Broschart, Jessica Tellez, Cherèva McClellan, Dan O’Connell, Jim Peluso, Kaleigh Perkins, Grace Pedanou, and Nora Tyer-Witek

Project Summary:  ” We are developing a game that will help change the hearts and minds of Rhode Islanders, educate individuals about housing in Rhode Island, bring awareness to housing challenges, and motivate participants to take the next step (e.g. advocate for a policy, etc.). We are partnering with Neighbors Welcome so that they can use this game when meeting with people at their information events.”

Team 6 (MVP – McAuley Village People)

Team 6: Guadalupe Aguilar, Thomas Boucher, Anthony Faccenda, Cheryl Galloway, Julie O’Connell, Ashley O’Shea, Heather Palumbo, and Alissa Stanko

Program Summary:  ” In partnership with McAuley Ministries, we are providing critical housing support services through several initiatives. These include domestic violence training for staff, volunteering at the food pantry and meal site, organizing a clothing drive for The Warde-robe with donation sorting and pricing, creating a video for McAuley’s child care program, and offering additional self-care support as needed.”

Team 7 (Neighbors)

Team 7: Sarah Bramblet, Amy Carosi, Alyssa DeAndrade, Ryan Mulcahey, Collette Onyejekwe, Ben Sprows, and David Weinstein

Project Summary:  ” We are producing a two-minute, social-media-ready video that re-frames “affordable housing” from a stigmatized concept to a source of community stability and upward mobility. Through first-person stories and subject matter expertise (Grow Smart RI), the video dismantles common myths/stereotypes and invites Rhode Islanders to see affordable housing as a way to strengthen and invest in their community.”

Team 8 (Welcome Home)

Team 8: Kristen Botelho Pires, Margaret Brassard, Carlos Diaz, James Hull, Tracey Martins, Kate Mushipi, and Ben White

Project Summary:  ” Our team is creating a print proof of concept of a magazine-style resource guide entitled “For the Love of Rhode Island, Welcome Home,” which aims to create a 2025 snapshot of not only housing-related information but community resources, interaction, and support and truly what should be loved and appreciated about the state of Rhode Island. The project will highlight Rhode Island’s unique aspects, local non-profit organizations, and companies that contribute to the community and are headquartered in Rhode Island. The resource guide will be complemented and brought to life with a social media aspect featuring inspiring Acts of Kindness throughout the community, supported by our team.”

Team 9 (Cloud 9 Living)

Team 9: Jeff Beckwith, Mushi Calixte, Misty Delgado, Caitlin Divver, Nazik Fernandes, Seth Kolker, and Kathleen Sisson

Project Summary:  ” The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness (RICH) currently has a set of resources, including a set of “Street Sheets” available to the public, that has been identified as incomplete and outdated. Street Sheets are supposed to be a one-stop resource of information for those who are currently at risk of being unhoused or for those who can help. Cloud 9 Living is revamping the Street Sheets, which were last updated in 2018. We are working with RICH to reformat, streamline, and update resources within the Street Sheets, addressing outdated and incomplete versions, as well as making them more accessible to users.”

Team 10 (Tenacious)

Team 10: Samuel Azar, L.A. Busteed, Jason Furlan, Daniel Holmander, Edwina Niedfeldt, Michelle Reddish, and Siobhan Stephens-Catala

Project Summary:  ” Team Tenacious aims to promote dignity and reduce the stigma of homelessness by supporting the creation of temporary rest pads in Woonsocket. These low-barrier shelters offer safe alternatives for people who may not be well suited to traditional congregate shelters due to trauma, mental health needs, or other personal circumstances. Through partnerships, donations, and public education, we seek to expand inclusive shelter options in the community.”