As Brown students returned to campus amid signs of welcome, solidarity, and shared grief, East Side City Councilors Jill Davidson and Sue AnderBois launched a community fundraising effort to honor “Reddit John” – the anonymous Brown alum whose courage helped investigators track the perpetrator in the wake of the tragedy. John has chosen to remain anonymous, so to recognize his actions on behalf of the community, the councilors are raising $25,000 to be donated in John’s name to support unhoused neighbors facing brutal winter conditions.
“Providence is an incredibly caring, connected community,” says Ward 2 Councilor Davidson. “John exemplified that care in his brave actions last month, and it’s so important for us to recognize his example.” The gift will go to OpenDoors, a Rhode Island non-profit doing critical frontline work to house and support people in Providence and beyond. Through their Necessities Fund, 100 percent of tax-deductible donations fund the essential daily needs of clients and shelter residents. “Providence residents have been wanting to thank John for his courage in a meaningful way,” added Ward 3’s AnderBois. “Especially during this frigid cold snap, this is a way to honor John and also directly help our unhoused neighbors.”
“So often we turn people away from our shelters because all the beds are filled. Our Necessities Fund supplies sleeping bags, tents, bus tickets, and other emergency supports. We are so grateful for any help people can provide to help our neighbors with these critical needs,” stated Co-Executive Director of OpenDoors Nick Horton. Once donations are gathered, organizers will notify Reddit John about the gift made in his name.
How to donate:
Online: at https://bit.ly/ThankRedditJohn
By check: Payable to OpenDoors, mail to 485 Plainfield Street, Providence, RI 02909. Include a note that the donation honors Reddit John. Contact Patrick at 401-214-1818 or pwestfall@opendoorsri.org with any questions.
The Barker Playhouse is one of the treasures located on Benefit Street. Last December, the Mile of History Association (MoHA) sponsored a rendition of three one-act plays by Moliere at the theater. Each play was about half an hour. The costumes and players were excellent and easily heard throughout. It was a delightful and thoroughly enjoyable evening. The Players at the Barker Playhouse host five mainstage productions each year from September to May. The Players will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee from March 13-29.
Recently, the City Council approved a multimillion-dollar loan from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. The City will use the funds to make the sidewalks in the MoHA compliant with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This is a major milestone in MoHA’s long-term program to improve accessibility to the Benefit Street area for the thousands of people who walk along these streets every year. We look forward to seeing this program fully implemented in the months ahead. May this program be a model for the city to extend throughout Providence!
The many public “hidden” gardens and other green spaces in the Mile of History district will soon be blooming. Provided is a list of places to explore this spring:
Cemetery at Cathedral of St.John: Behind 66 Benefit Street
Front Lawn of the Old State House: Behind 150 Benefit Street
John Brown House Museum Grounds: 52 Power Street
Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Park: 141 Benefit Street
Radeke Garden at the RISD Museum
RISD “Beach”: Green space on Benefit Street between Waterman and Angell
Shakespeare’s Head Garden: 21 Meeting Street
Stephen Hopkins House Garden: Hopkins and Benefit streets
– Submitted by Charles W. Hewitt
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