SBA hails Affirmative Action efforts of two housing groups

By Patrick Healy, Journal Staff Writer

As part of last week's Small Business Administration's Minority Economic Development Week, awards were given to some of the most influential figures in the state's small business community. Among the awards were Rhode Island Housing's affirmative action awards, honoring West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation and SWAP, Inc., two nonprofit groups that work in some of what have been considered Providence's toughest neighborhoods. What these two organizations have in common is their commitment to bringing a sense of community and pride to their neighborhoods through revitalization. Founded over 20 years ago, the West Elmwood Housing group has several programs to help residents give back to their community, including educational programs in homeownership, revitalization, leadership development, and programs geared toward youth, such as the Stock Market Club, which teaches children about investing. Executive Director Sharon Conard-Wells said by investing in the diverse group of people who live and work in the community, the neighborhood stands to continue improving. Affirmative action just happens to be a byproduct of this mission. "It's part of who we are because of where we are," she said. "I wish I could say we had a formal program, but it's part of our philosophy." This year the organization revitalized and re-opened the Stephens Building, an apartment in its neighborhood once ridden with lead and asbestos, creating 32 new affordable apartment units. SWAP, which stands for Stop Wasting Abandoned Property, was founded in 1976 by a group of community leaders who wanted to help residents rehabilitate vacant houses in their neighborhoods that the city planned to demolish. Preferring affordable housing to vacant lots, SWAP has expanded its activities to include the development of affordable rental and cooperative living opportunities as well as housing-related education classes and services. Executive Director Carla DeStefano said SWAP has graduated 28 contractors through various levels of expertise over the last three years. Based in South Providence, the organization focuses on training South Providence contractors so they can work on the homes in South Providence. "We have plans for the development of additional housing over the next three years and we would like to include more neighborhood contractors and subcontractors in the work we are doing to revitalize the south side neighborhood," said DeStefano. In addition to its Neighborhood Contractor Mentoring Program, SWAP has a Minority Hiring and Compliance component to its operations, headed by Rose Kolawole. Conard-Wells explained that educational programs are important in the role of affirmative action as a way to develop a neighborhood, because the better skills people have, the more efficiently the job will get done. "Whether you're black, green or white, sometimes you need a break," she said. "The trick is to find a match between a contractor, the work to be done and the opportunity to stretch and to ensure that the project comes in on time." "Because in this neighborhood we're here to provide and at the end of this program and this job, there's a buyer for this house," she added.

Other awards presented at the ceremony:
* Erica Zap, president and CEO of Erica Zap Designs in Newport was awarded the Manufacturing Excellence Award by a Minority or Women-owned Business. The award was presented by Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services.
* Sussy DeLeon, broker/owner of RE/Max New Horizons in Providence was awarded Rhode Island Hispanic Small Business of the Year and William Sanchez of Williams' Financial Services Inc., in Central Falls was named Small Business Leader of the Year. Both awards were presented by the Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce.
* D. Joseph Brooks, president of Essex Newbury Contracting Corp. received the Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise of the Year award.
* Justin Aina, executive director of Urban Ventures in Providence was named Outstanding Business Practitioner by the Ocean State Business Forum.
* The SBA awarded Citizens Bank, Fleet, Bank Rhode Island and First Bank and Trust Company for their lending this year.

Published 01/28/2002

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