East Providence hosts National League of Cities representatives - by Molly Ahern

The city of East Providence consistently strives to improve the lives of its residents. In June of 2025, East Providence was one of twelve U.S. cities selected to participate in National League of Cities’ (NLC) third Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program. Through this six-month initiative, East Providence received a $20,000 grant to promote economic mobility throughout the city.

Through the collaboration with NLC, local social service agencies such as East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), East Providence Health Equity Zone (EPHEZ), and the City of East Providence, this grant has already begun advancing the economic mobility of over 100 residents by supporting EPHEZ initiatives such as SNAP and WIC assistance, healthy cooking programming for families with young children at the Fuller Creative Learning Center, and operation of the Bullocks Point Food Pantry. This effort comes at a crucial time as the ongoing federal government shutdown is threatening to halt SNAP assistance for millions of Americans.

“The city of East Providence is grateful for the grant provided by the National League of Cities to help empower those in our community to live healthier, more prosperous lives,” said mayor Roberto DaSilva. “Our partnership with the East Providence Health Equity Zone, National League of Cities and members of our planning department will see significant improvements in people’s lives… It was an honor to welcome NLC staff to East Providence as they prepare to tour some of our sites and to see how their investment in our community is paying dividends.

On October 28-29, 2025, the City of East Providence and EPHEZ proudly hosted two NLC representatives. During the NLC’s visit to the city of East Providence, the organization met with mayor DaSilva and other city staff members. The representatives also toured local non-profit and social service agencies like East Bay Community Action Program, Fuller Creative Learning Center, and Oldham School Preschool, and discussed at length how East Providence and the NLC can collaborate to better benefit the community.

East Providence is proud to have strong nonprofit community partners such as EPHEZ and EBCAP who can provide additional economic and healthcare support services to hard-working community residents and their families. The city thanks the National League of Cities for providing grant funding and for choosing East Providence as a visited community. Mayor DaSilva is president of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, one of forty-nine leagues represented by NLC at the federal level. NLC advocates for municipalities through lobbying, funding, and training, with over 3,900 member municipalities across the U.S.

Molly Ahern is a senior planner for the city of East Providence, R.I.