Roger Williams University | Roger Williams University
WHAT IS THE RWU COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS CENTER?
The Roger Williams University (RWU) Community Partnerships Center (CPC) provides project-based assistance to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Our mission is to undertake and complete projects that will benefit the local community while providing RWU students with experience in real-world projects that deepen their academic experiences.
CPC projects draw upon students and faculty from RWU programs in areas such as:
|Accounting |Historic preservation |
|Architecture |Justice studies |
|Business |Law |
|Communication |Management |
|Community Development |Marketing |
|Construction Management |Political Science |
|Digital Media |Psychology |
|Education |Public Administration |
|Engineering |Public Relations |
|Environmental science and sustainability |Urban Design |
|Finance |Visual Arts |
|Graphic Design |Web Development |
|History & American Studies |Writing Studies |
The Center has completed projects ranging from; market research and planning, historical research, mill redevelopment feasibility studies, urban policy analysis, design projects for affordable housing and education facilities, community business district revitalization, neighborhood revitalization plans, museum exhibit design, historic building rehabilitation studies, social services research, website and graphic design, environmental sustainability planning, and survey development.
CPC project services are performed by students in support of their educational experience. Applicants shall understand that any deliverables generated through an accepted project are intended to provide conceptual information only to assist in design and planning and as such are not intended, nor should they be used for, construction or other project implementation. Professional and/or other services may be needed to ultimately implement a sponsor’s desired goals.
HOW CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION PARTNER WITH THE RWU CPC?
As we prepare for upcoming semesters, we are seeking new projects that can benefit local communities while providing our student/faculty teams with opportunities to apply their learning, engage the community, and create final products that provide benefits to all.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and held for consideration until scheduled CPC Review Committee meetings - generally held in early May and early October. Projects may be considered for upcoming spring, summer and fall academic semesters.
Every effort will be made to process applications that are received in a timely manner prior to the next CPC Review Committee Meeting. Please note it may take between 90-120 days to decide on applications following the initial CPC Review Committee meeting. This time allows us to find the best fit for project requests within courses, programs, and leadership organizations at the University.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Arnold Robinson
Phone: (401) 254-3307
arobinson@rwu.edu
RWU Community Partnerships Center
Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809-2921 | Website:
Application for CPC Project Assistance
Instructions: We encourage non-profit organizations and municipal agencies to contact the CPC with ideas for projects that can benefit the community while providing meaningful service-learning for RWU students. Please fill out the Application for Project Assistance, answering all applicable questions and including all supporting documents.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and held for consideration until scheduled CPC Review Committee meetings - generally held in early May and early October. Projects may be considered for upcoming spring, summer and fall academic semesters.
Email: arobinson@rwu.edu
Fax: (401) 254-3307
Mail: RWU Community Partnerships Center
Roger Williams University
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809-2921
Any questions regarding the application process can be directed to Arnold at (401) 254-3307.
CPC project services are performed by students in support of their educational experience. Applicants shall understand that any deliverables generated through an accepted project are intended to provide conceptual information only to assist design and planning and as such are not intended, nor should they be used for, construction or other project implementation. Professional and/or other services may be needed to ultimately implement a sponsor’s desired goals.
SECTION 1: Organization Information
Name of Organization: HeadsUp, Inc. @ Mathewson Street Church
Mailing Address: 134 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903
Name of Project Contact Person(s): Karen Gager, MSW, Executive Director
Contact Information:
Phone: 401-331-1069 Fax: same (please call first)
E-mail: kgager@ Cell: 401-203-9274
Type of Organization
⇨ Public (town, city, municipality, special district, government agency)
xPrivate (citizen, non-profit)
⇨ Other (please explain)
Description of Organization and Mission:
HeadsUp, which is an acronym for Health, Education, Arts Developing Strength, Unity & Peace, is a partner organization to Mathewson Street United Methodist Church. It was created in 2000 as a separate 501 © 3 organization to operate non-religious human service activities in the church building. Since 2010, HeadsUp has taken on a more active role in oversight of non-religious activities in the building. We partner with various non-profit organizations, in a collaboration type of co-location and strategic alliance, to provide needs-based programming in the building for various populations including the homeless, low income and at risk youth. We currently have partnership agreements or contracts in place with the following organizations: Brown University/Tenderloin Opera Company, Family Services of RI/Afia Center, Providence In-Town Churches Association/Community Meal and RI Coalition for the Homeless/Speaker’s Bureau and RI Organizing Project. Our location in the heart of downtown Providence, only a few blocks from Kennedy Plaza, is ideal for many of our programs whose clients use public transportation. In 2011, HeadsUp hired an Executive Director to lead the effort in building the infrastructure of the organization and a vision for the use of unutilized building space. Our vision is to utilize 100% of the space of the five story building by continuing to implement a shared spaces/shared services model with nonprofits and potentially for profit organizations. We have a 10 year memorandum of understanding with the church detailing our partnership which is updated on an annual basis.
On average, how many individuals does your organization serve per year?
We have added more programming in the building since our last application to include public performances in the black box theater on the fourth floor and in the hall on the first floor. With this added use, we typically have at least 1,500 people (unduplicated count) that come through the building on a yearly basis.
How did you hear about the CPC?
We worked on a previous project with CPC on the historical renovation of the Mathewson Street Church.
SECTION 2: Project Description
Title of the Project: Phase II: Renovation of Mathewson Street Church
Project Location (Address, City, State, and Zip): 134 Mathewson Street, Downtown Providence
General Project Description (you may attach a longer narrative if necessary):
Mathewson Street United Methodist is located in the heart of the Arts & Theater District of Downtown Providence. It has been an integral part of the downtown community since 1848 with a focus on missions and inclusiveness for persons of all backgrounds. The original church building had to be torn down due to structural issues. The current building was erected in 1897 making the building itself about one hundred and eighteen (118) years old. The architects of the building purposely designed it to look like an office building rather than a church in the hopes that it would blend in with the downtown business community.
As noted above, HeadsUp, Inc, in partnership with the MSUMC, is interested in transforming this historic building into a shared space shared service collaborative of smaller nonprofits/for profits and programs that could benefit from space in the downtown community. There are five stories of space including a unique semi-circular sanctuary on the 2nd floor, spanning 3 floors (Akron Plan design), a black box theater on the 4th floor and a large hall & adjacent certified kitchen on the first floor. Several of the spaces in the building are not currently being used at this time due to the new fire code requirements as well as needed repairs/renovations.
During the past three years, we have made progress in renovating parts of this historic church building. We have made upgrades to the façade of the building, upgraded the community kitchen to meet Dept of Health standards, revitalized the use of the black box theater and recently installed two new air conditioning units on the first floor of the building. HeadsUp is now working on raising the additional needed funds to make the front entrance handicapped accessible. Barbara Thornton of Brewster Thornton Group Architects has designed the handicapped access plan. In addition, Mathewson Street Church is beginning their plans for a capital campaign to start in the Spring 2016.The capital campaign would raise funds to include other upgrades & renovations to the building to include: a new, more efficient heating system, new windows, installation of sprinkler systems on floors 2 -4, asbestos removal, electrical & plumbing upgrades.
The Center for Community Partnerships was of invaluable assistance in providing architectural CAD drawings of the building along with a proposed rehabilitation plan. These documents helped us engage Barbara Thornton in providing probono work to assist us in evaluation of fire code issues as well as design & implementation of a handicapped accessible entrance. And, the church has recently received a donation to repair the ceiling in the sanctuary. This work will be completed by October 2015. We believe that this new request is a natural succession to these and will be of great assistance in our ability to accomplish the needed renovations to the building.
Potential Scope of Work/Tasks for RWU CPC[1](you may attach a longer narrative if necessary):
We would engage this round of CPC students in two areas.
1) Engaging Engineering students in the design & cost estimate for a new, energy efficient heating system for the building. The current heating system is comprised of 4 boilers and fueled by gas. It is old unit and does not efficiently pump heat into all parts of the building. The students would evaluate the best option for heating the 20,000 square foot/five floor building. Then, would design a potential system that would allow for energy efficiency, better air flow through-out the building and would be cost effective. The design would be utilized for final implementation once the needed funds were raised.
2) Engaging Construction Management students in putting together a plan for phases for renovations to the building. including which items should be included in each phase and the costs associated with each phase. We have a wish list of items we would like included in the re-design and renovation of the building. We are in need of assistance in prioritizing & deciding on the stages of the renovations. These stages would then be broken out into phases with a cost associated with each phase. This plan/phase break-out will help to guide the capital campaign and the funds that will need to be raised for the completion of the renovations.
What will be the final product output for this project? (survey, website, design plans, drawings, etc.)
The final outputs for this project would include the design for a new heating system for the building along with the cost estimate and a building renovation plan for the building to include specific projects, phases and estimates for each phase.
Proposed Project Schedule (when the tasks/project needs to be completed):
We are seeking assistance beginning in the fall of 2015. The priority of the two projects would be the construction plan as this would be a foundation for building the capital campaign in the Spring 2016. However, both projects could be done in conjunction with one another. Access to the building will be provided by Karen Gager of HeadsUp Inc. Wednesday through Friday. Alternative arrangements can be made if access is required on Monday & Tuesday.
Please provide the names and contact information for any staff members or volunteers who will be playing a primary role in the proposed CPC project.
Karen Gager, Executive Director, HeadsUp, Inc., 401-331-1069, kgager@
Scott Budnick, Chair, Mathewson Street Church Board of Trustees, 401-368-5535, scottbudnick@
What resources/previous work would the CPC be building upon that you already have completed? (Please select all items that are applicable)
xStrategic Plan (HeadsUp has recently completed their 5 year strategic plan with Peter Hahn, professor at RWU.
⇨ Marketing & Communication Plans
xAdditional organizational documents (e.g. structural assessment)
x Preliminary photos of the site/project
⇨ Maps
⇨ Previous research
⇨ Survey results
xArchitectural or building plans
What active support would your organization be able to contribute should your project be selected?
⇨ Funding
xVolunteers
xStaff time
⇨ Consultants
⇨ Other (please list)
SECTION 3: Project Outcomes
Please describe how this project will benefit your organization and the advancement of your mission:
The transformation and renovation of space in the MSUMC building will aid in our larger goal which is to sustain/maintain the building and help us to continue to support the work that we do in the downtown Providence community. This project would help us to create the plan for renovations. There are very limited resources in our community right now so we are trying to be creative in an approach. Both HeadsUp and MSUMC have very limited funds. And, although the building is owned by the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, they have limited funds to assist as well. The downside of not transforming this historical building is that it will most likely eventually become another vacant building in the center of downtown Providence. MSUMC is fully on board and supports this application.
Please describe how this project might benefit the overall community, including specific groups that could benefit from this project (i.e. target populations, neighborhoods, specific town/city/region).
Although we are located in the downtown business community, there is indeed a community of people living in this area, including in low income housing (e.g. Grace Apartments, 1890 House) or those who are homeless living at Crossroads or on the streets of Providence. There is also an increasing number of people moving into the downtown area with additional housing being created. Currently, those who are living in low income housing and in shelters are who we primarily serve through on site programs & services. In addition, since we are located within a few blocks of Kennedy Plaza, we are within close walking distance from the bus routes- often the most common form of transportation for those we serve. Our vision for the building continues to include those who are in need, but also includes those who work and live in downtown Providence, persons of all income levels and persons of all backgrounds. Our hope is that this building can be a cross-roads for all persons in the downtown & surrounding communities.
We are in a “catch 22” situation. We have groups /organizations who are interested in using the space, however, much of the spaces need upgrades in order to accommodate renters, particularly 24 – 7 renters. And, we are less likely to get funding for renovations if we cannot show that the spaces are being used in the building.
Please explain why you have chosen to seek assistance from the RWU CPC with your project request, instead of undertaking the project using fee-for-services from a paid professional:
We had a very positive experience working with Arnold Robinson and students from the School of Architecture in the past. As mentioned above, we do not have the funding to pay a professional for these projects. We believe that the RWU students would once again offer quality work and outcomes which will assist us in our next phase, getting the renovations to the building completed.
Please describe how this project will benefit RWU students.
The Mathewson Street Church building is not only an historic building in the city of Providence but it also has some unique architecture & design. It has been a symbol of inclusiveness in the downtown community for many years. We believe that working on this project will not only be an educational learning experience for RWU students but also an enlightening experience of the use of an historic urban church building as an multi-use collaborative space for those in need in our community.
SECTION 4: Financial Information
What is your organization’s annual operating budget? Please include a copy of your most recent budget with the application.
HeadsUp Inc current operating budget is $122,000. Included is a copy of the 2015 budget.
What are your major sources of funding?
HeadsUp, Inc.’s major sources of funding are grants, foundations, individuals and rental income. In addition, we have done an annual fundraiser called Wine & Waterfire.
How much funding from your annual operating budget is set aside for this project (if any)?
Since we are a small, grassroots nonprofit, our hope is that this project would be done at no cost to the organization. We are willing to support the project with non-financial means e.g. the time and energy of staff & volunteers in assisting with the project and providing space in the building & access to historical and other documents, when needed.
SECTION 5: Private Sector Involvement
Have you or your organization discussed the project with practicing professionals (e.g. architect, engineer, planner, consultants, etc.)? (please circle one): Yes / No
We have discussed the heating re-design project with one recommended engineer. The cost quoted was $10,000. This is a prohibitive amount for us right now to pay.
HeadsUp has discussed these projects with the Mathewson Street Church Chair of the Trustees, Scott Budnick. He is in agreement with moving forward with this proposal. If chosen, we would engage architect, Barbara Thornton, in the dialogue as well as contractors who we have already approached about costs estimates on renovations. In addition, last year, we worked with Partners for Sacred Places, Philadelphia, PA supported by grant funding from the RI Foundation. Their recommendation was to put together an advisory committee of local experts. We have not yet started this advisory committee. The re-engagement with RWU Community Partnership Center may be a prime opportunity to start this advisory committee.
If no, please explain why:
SECTION 6: Supporting Documents
Please include the following items when submitting your application:
xBudget for the current fiscal year
xList of current Board members
xCopies of supporting resources identified in section 2 as needed to support your application
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[1] CPC project services are performed by students in support of their educational experience. Applicants shall understand that any deliverables generated through an accepted project are intended to provide conceptual information only to assist design and planning and as such are not intended, nor should they be used for, construction or other project implementation. Professional and/or other services may be needed to ultimately implement a sponsor’s desired goals.
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