Three affordable single-family homes in So. Kingstown, through So. County Habitat

 

South County Habitat for Humanity will be accepting applications for three single family homes in South Kingstown from July 1st through the 31st. About the Homes: Energy efficient, newly constructed homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a garage. Located in the Broad Rock area of South Kingstown, close to downtown. They offer a pathway to low-to-moderate income homeownership. Information Session: July 8th - 6PM In person and virtual We will be hosting an information session to present information about the homeownership program and application process. Refreshments will be provided. *Attendance is not required to apply. Please call 401-213-6711 X305 or email Aliyya@southcountyhabitat.org to register. Applications will be available at southcountyhabitat.org/homeownership starting July 1st.

RI Food Bank Receives $1M from Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift gives Rhode Island a wedding gift

RI Community Food Bank

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank today announced a first-of-its-kind gift from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The $1 million donation, one of several hunger relief donations given by the couple nationwide, will allow the Food Bank to purchase more food for more Rhode Island families, and will support its 137 member agencies working on the frontlines of hunger in Rhode Island. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for their extraordinarily generous and unexpected gift,” said Melissa Cherney, CEO of the RI Community Food Bank. “As the need across our communities continues to grow, this $1 million donation will go a long way in helping us purchase and distribute the nutritious, culturally appropriate food that Rhode Islanders deserve. I hope their gift inspires others; it has certainly inspired us.”

The timing of this gift is particularly appreciated by the Food Bank team. Summer is typically a slower time of year for food donations, which means a greater demand for food purchasing to keep shelves stocked at food pantries across the state.

Included in the Cross' Mills Library Garden Tour...

 

Dear Arrowhead Patients and Fellow Gardeners,  The Cross’ Mills Public Library will be holding its beloved Gardens by the Sea Tour on Saturday, June 20th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine. This special fundraiser features twelve beautiful local gardens on display, offering inspiration and enjoyment for gardeners of all levels. I am honored to share that my garden is included as one of the featured stops on this year’s tour. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore unique landscapes, gather ideas, and celebrate the beauty of our local community. Tickets are $30, and all proceeds directly support the Cross’ Mills Public Library and its ongoing programs and services. If you, your family, or friends are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online through the Cross’ Mills Library website or in person at the library. We hope you can join us for this special event and enjoy a relaxing and inspiring summer day! Thank you, and have a great summer. Click here for Garden Tour Tickets! Thank you and have a great summer, Dr. Bruce Gouin

Arrowhead Dental Associates | 4995 South County Trail | Charlestown, RI 02813 US

Cross Mills Library Garden Tour and Art Auction, June 20

2026 Garden Tour Fundraiser

Summer is coming and the gardens are beautiful! On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the Cross’ Mills Public Library will host its biennial garden tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Rain or shine, the gardens await you.

Tickets are $30 and will be available beginning May 15th. Tickets may be purchased at the Library or online.

To purchase tickets online, please click here. Select Garden Tour under Donation Category. Tickets will be emailed to the address you provide, and are mailed in batches once a week.

Please direct questions to gardentour@crossmills.org

The generosity of local gardeners and residents make this tour possible.  All proceeds benefit the Cross’ Mills Public Library.

 
• Community Resources

Art Auction

Bid on incredible artworks and enjoy a summer evening of Art, Music, Conversation and Refreshments. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Cross’ Mills Public Library.

From the folks who looted a kids' cancer charity

May 30 open house and free paddling

 

WPWA Open House & Free Paddle Event   WHO: Members and General Public Welcome! WHEN: Saturday May 30th 1pm to 5pm WHERE: 203 Arcadia Rd. Hope Valley, RI 02832 WHAT: FREE Food, Fun, and Paddling   If you know anyone interested in joining the WPWA membership..... this is THE event to invite them to! Please help promote WPWA membership!   Schedule of Activities: 1:30pm Intro to Paddling Lesson 4:00pm Guided Wildlife Paddle   Thank you for helping us grow!

Our Contact Information Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association 203 Arcadia Rd. Hope Valley, RI 02832 401-539-9017 http://www.wpwa.org

Trump's crimes are real

Get your tickets now!

CLICK HERE: FurBall 2026 - 2026 FurBall Gala & Auction

SC Chamber names 2026 non-profit of the year

 Animal Rescue RI (ARRI) in Peacedale earns distinction

We're Grateful to Be Named Nonprofit of the Year!

Animal Rescue Rhode Island is honored to be named 2026 Nonprofit of the Year by the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. This recognition reflects the compassion of our staff and volunteers, and the incredible support of our community. Thank you to the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce for this recognition and to everyone who makes ARRI’s mission possible. We’re proud, grateful, and inspired to continue this work together. - ARRI Team

Trump DOJ Slammed for Indictment of Anti-Hate Group

‘Craven Attempt to Silence Dissent’ 

Jake Johnson for Common Dreams

The civil rights and progressive advocacy community is rallying to the defense of the Southern Poverty Law Center after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department indicted the organization on Tuesday on multiple counts of wire fraud and other charges, which the group has condemned as false and politically motivated.

The Justice Department, led by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche—who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney—said Tuesday that a grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama returned an indictment charging SPLC with “11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.” 

The Justice Department accused SPLC, which specializes in monitoring extremist groups and movements, of “funding” far-right white supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan by paying people to infiltrate them and gather information.

Bryan Fair, SPLC’s interim chief executive, said the Trump DOJ’s “false allegations” won’t “shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the civil rights movement becomes a reality for all.” Fair noted that SPLC no longer works with paid informants but emphasized that they “risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation’s most radical and violent extremist groups.”

Allied civil rights organizations spoke out in defense of the SPLC and warned that the Trump administration’s legal assault on the group is part of a broader attack on those who oppose the far-right and work to protect democracy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Cathy and I have been longtime supporters of the Southern Poverty Law Center. As for the "crimes" brought against the SPLC by Trump's Justice Department, there is a long and Constitutional practice called "salting" where paid informants are placed within targeted organizations for the purpose of gathering damaging information. Unions do it. Journalists do it. Rightwing groups did it to smear Planned Parenthood. They ran into trouble when they peddled altered videos.  - Will Collette

Next, carpet bomb the Vatican

Former Rep. Donna Walsh to be honored by the League of Women Voters tomorrow

2026 Community Impact Award recognizes her decades of service to South County

By Will Collette

My good friend Donna Walsh will receive a lifetime honor from the League of Women Voters of South County tomorrow at the League's Annual Tea Fundraiser from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. The event will be held at the Peace Dale Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 261 Columbia St., in Wakefield.

When Cathy and I returned to Rhode Island in 2001 to live in Charlestown, Donna became one of our first friends and remains so these 25 years later. We were proud supporters of her as she ably represented House District 36 which includes all of Charlestown. I worked on her campaigns and during each legislative session as a volunteer researcher.

During that time, Donna became a legislative leader and one of the most stalwart defenders of the environment. But whether it was getting major legislation passed, constituent service or getting grants for local charities, Donna Walsh got the job done through hard work with people in the district and with integrity and determination.

Before her decade representing Charlestown in the General Assembly, she also served as state Senator and member of the Charlestown Town Council. She is fondly remembered by many in the area as “Mrs. Walsh” for her 38 years as a teacher at Chariho.

Though she no longer holds elected office, Donna now serves on the boards of numerous local non-profit charities such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul where she serves as President.

Congratulations, Donna!

Israel bans Doctors Without Borders from Gaza because of refusal to provide staff list

Renowned medical aid agency explains why

MSF statement on sharing staff information and humanitarian operations in Palestine

Following many months of unsuccessful engagement with Israeli authorities, and in the absence of securing assurances to ensure the safety of our staff or the independent management of our operations, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has concluded that it will not share a list of its Palestinian and international staff with Israeli authorities in the current circumstances.

In March 2025, Israeli authorities announced that organizations seeking registration would be required to provide personal information about their staff. From the outset, MSF raised serious concerns about this request in a context where medical and humanitarian workers have been intimidated, arbitrarily detained, and attacked. Since October 2023, 1,700 health staff have been killed, as well as 15 MSF colleagues. On 30 December, Israeli authorities announced that MSF's previous registration had lapsed and was therefore expected to cease operations within 60 days.

In an effort to explore every possible option – however limited – to continue providing critical medical care, MSF informed Israeli authorities on 23 January that, as an exceptional measure, MSF would be prepared to share a defined list of Palestinian and international staff names, subject to clear parameters, with our staff safety at its core. This position was defined following consultation with our Palestinian colleagues and with the clear understanding no staff information would be shared without the express agreement of individuals concerned. 

However, despite repeated efforts, it became evident in recent days that we were unable to build engagement with Israeli authorities on the concrete assurances required. 

A special kind of scum

 

Catch pneumonia for charity

Understanding billionaire green-washing

South County Habitat for Humanity receives $200,000 from Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Program

Welcome boost to addressing affordable housing shortage

Representatives from Bank of America and South County Habitat for Humanity. Photo: South County Habitat for Humanity

South County Habitat for Humanity (SCHH) has been named a 2025 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, receiving $200,000 in unrestricted funding to support its mission of building affordable homeownership units in Washington County, Rhode Island. 

In addition to this funding, this prestigious award provides access to leadership development resources and training. SCHH joins fellow Rhode Island nonprofit Social Enterprise Greenhouse in receiving this distinguished designation.

“This year, as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of South County Habitat for Humanity, we are deeply honored to receive this incredible investment from our longtime partners at Bank of America,” said Colin Penney, Executive Director of SCHH. 

“Unrestricted support like this gives us the flexibility to strategically grow our capacity and better meet the needs of our community, ensuring every dollar advances our mission of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. With ambitious plans for larger-scale housing developments, this funding arrives at a pivotal moment. We are truly grateful for Bank of America’s partnership.”

Holiday greens and help send kids to camp

November 15 Food Drive in Richmond

US non-profits, especially health and hunger related, hammered by Trump-Musk cuts

1 in 3 US nonprofits that serve communities lost government funding in early 2025

Lewis Faulk, American University and Mirae Kim, George Mason University

About one-third of U.S. nonprofit service providers experienced a disruption in their government funding in the first half of 2025.

That’s what we found when we teamed up with Urban Institute researchers to collect nationally representative survey data from 2,737 nonprofits across the country.

These organizations run food pantries, deliver job training and offer mental health services. They provide independent living assistance, disaster relief and emergency shelter, among other services.

Our team found that 21% lost a grant or contract, 27% faced delays or funding freezes and 6% were hit with stop-work orders. Some of the nonprofits had experienced more than one of these funding problems, which affected nonprofits of all kinds. But they were especially disruptive to larger ones that employ more people and provide key services, such as large social service agencies, food banks and organizations serving people enrolled in Medicaid.

EDITOR'S NOTE: One of the most obscene cuts came in the form of halting shipments of food shipments to food banks and anti-hunger programs. ProPublica tallied the loss: Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived. — ProPublica