WEEI Providence

January is National Mentor month. As a youth in life, “Opportunity is not always equally distributed, but potential is”. Jeanine Achin, President and CEO of MENTOR RI (mentorri.org), joins us with some insight on how this organization undergoes their mission, striving to fill the gap “for all youth to have role models who are able to provide a road map for lifelong success and achievement”. The pr...

In this, a year where we find ourselves in a troubled chaotic society, it's necessary for people to “do more” and “speak up”. That's the suggestion from Stages of Freedom (stagesoffreedom.org), the Rhode Island “award-winning non-profit building bridges across cultural divides through exciting public engagement”. Ray Rickman, Co-Founder and Executive Director and Robb Dimmick, Co-Founder and Progr...

Learning is fun and It's a belief that to keep the mind, body and soul active in all stages of our lives, learning is key. Funda Fest (fundafest.org) now in their 28th season, returns with their celebration of performance art, January 13th-25th, the week of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Valerie Tutson, Teller and Executive/Festival Director, joins us with details. This year’s Funda theme is “Dru...

We welcome 2026 with the Women's Fund of Rhode Island (wfri.org) and CEO Kelly Nevins. She joins us to reveal the work being done to advance equity among the gender divide in RI. The goal of WFRI is to “close the gender wage, wealth, health, and power gaps that exist so everyone can not only survive, but thrive”. Listen as Kelly details the programs and initiatives they've undertaken in this, thei...

Give back, feel good and make it a movement on New Years Day 2026, take the plunge! A Wish Come True (AWCT) and hundreds of brave souls will be jumping in the Atlantic Ocean at Easton’s Beach in Newport RI at high noon, for the 22nd annual Polar Plunge. Mary-Kate O’Leary, MA Executive Director at A Wish Come True (awish.org) joins us for the details. She's geared up for the plunge, and preparing h...

Get out of your comfort zone and get silly for a good cause. The Pete Frates Foundation (petefrates.com) invites you to join the ALS community to “Plunge 4 Pete:Freezin for a Reason” (plunge4pete.com) on December 27th at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester Massachusetts. If you're unable to get to the beach, you can plunge remotely! Mike Pitt, Executive Director of The Pete Frates Foundation, joins us...

It's a short drive to South County RI where the World War II Foundation and International Museum of World War II (https://wwiifoundation.org/), a “National Geographic Top Ten World War II Museums in the World to Visit” is found on Main Street in Wakefield. There you'll meet Tim Gray, President, Founder & Documentary Filmmaker. He joins us with an update on how the foundation is busy recreating and...

It's all about the students and preparing them for success in their lives and careers, as they become adults in the workforce. Junior Achievement Rhode Island (jari.org) has been a key component in that effort since 1922, after the national Junior Achievement organization came on the scene in 1919. Cassi Steenblok, Director of Development joins the program for the latest happenings. She explains t...

“If you've seen one food bank, you've seen one food bank” Melissa Cherney, CEO Rhode Island Community Food Bank (rifoodbank.org) attests in her eighteen years of service feeding the community. Melissa joins us as a North Dakota transplant, at a time of unprecedented need with food insecurity. The RI Community Food Bank (RICFB) has been in crisis mode since November 1st with the government shutdown...

Black Friday? Flip the script on November 28th and Buy Nothing! You can give the gift of warmth instead. Join us on the lawn at the Rhode Island State House in Providence on Black Friday (9am-1pm) to kick off the season of giving with RI Coat Exchange (ricoatexchange.org), for their annual Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange. Lauren Testoni joins us for the details on this community effort to provide fr...

It’s opening night for a weekend of Mozart! The Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra (ricco.org) under the direction of Joshua Rohde, performs their interpretation of Mozart’s “Requiem”. “A dramatic, mysterious piece, among the most beloved choral works ever written”. The concerts will be performed at two locations over two nights. Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Sebastian’s Church i...

The Grinch won't steal Christmas from Rhode Island kids, with the current government shutdown. The United States Marines will come through, as they continue their efforts to ensure there will be “Toys for Tots” in 2025. Corporal Mitchell Barstow-Coordinator of the Marine Toys for Tots Campaign in Providence, Rhode Island joins us to kick off the season of giving which started October 1st and runs...

It's opening night for the 2025 American Basketball Association (ABA) season, the largest professional league worldwide. You can be part of the action in Pawtucket RI with the New England Lightning (lightningaba.com) under coach, former Providence College Friar, Jeff Xavier. They'll be at the Boys and Girls Club (1 Moeller Place in Pawtucket) to face off against the Boston Sharks for their second...

Every parent's nightmare is to hear the phrase, “your child has cancer”. Since 1985, The Tomorrow Fund has been “an independent non-profit charitable organization, providing ​​​​​​​daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI”. Lisa Hainse, Executive Director of The Tomorrow Fund (tomorrowfund.org), joins u...

“Never Quit”. That's the motivation behind “Bench Press 4 Cancer 2025” (BP4C2025), the annual fundraiser honoring the late Lawrence Rubida (‘05), former co-captain and offensive lineman for the Brown University Bears football program. Current Bears, Sam Smith (Senior LB) and Danny Thompson (Junior OL) join Scott for the details. Listen as Sam explains what it takes and how it feels to earn the sum...

We're recognizing this month of October and Breast Cancer Awareness with the Gloria Gemma Foundation (gloriagemma.org) . It's time to turn the city pink! Providence RI is the place to be for the annual Flames of Hope celebration. The foundation, created by The Gemma family as tribute to their mother Gloria Gemma, believes “No One Should Fight Cancer Alone”. Our guest from the Gloria Gemma Foundati...

We welcome the seasonal change and fall ball with the 76th Governor of RI, Dan McKee for the latest with the state of RI. “During the McKee Administration, Rhode Island has advanced 10 places in the U.S. News and World Report Best States list” to 24th overall. Could that be due to the administration's RI 2030 plan (RI2030.ri.gov) ? RI 2030 has the objective to invest in the state and her citizens...

"There's no difference between an injury to the body and an injury to the brain". That's the primary message conveyed by the Alex Archie Foundation, when speaking on student athletes and their mental health. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month in September, Lisa Archie (Brown '83) and men's lacrosse alum Tom Archie (Brown '82) join Scott to discuss the impact of losing their son Al...

"A hand up, not a hand out". That's what Veterans will receive from Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI), the premier Veterans assistance organization that's been operating in Johnston RI for over 30 years. Erik Wallin, Executive Director and General Council- OSDRI, joins us to promote their annual two day "33rd Veterans Assistance Event". This event is held on-site at their Johnston location...

It's a big party! Women’s Fund of Rhode Island is taking over Bally’s Twin River (Lincoln RI) on September 25th for their annual Women Leading Change (WLC) event to acknowledge and celebrate the work and contributions of those who are advocating for advancements in gender equity. WFRI’s Kelly Nevins, CEO joins us for the details on this night of celebration and networking. Listen as she describes...

Men are not inherently violent and we haven't learned how to be nonviolent or how to intervene in crisis, man to man. Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) with their Ten Men Cohort 2025-2026 (Engaging Men as Allies) has grown to more than twenty strong with members who are motivated to support the community with a non-violent mindset. Justin Freitas, RICADV Men’s Engagement Co...

Dig Deep! RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) through The Aquatic Resource Education (A.R.E.) program is a federally funded program that is managed through RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife. Kimberly Sullivan, Principal Biologist - Freshwater Fisheries and A.R.E. Coordinator, joins us to detail their "Come Clam with Me" program series in addition to other upcoming outdoor opportuni...

FREE BEER! What could be better than a cold beer on a hot summer day? That's what you can get if you are 21+ and donate blood between July 28th and August 31st, for the 4th Annual "Pint for a Pint" campaign. Nicole Pineault, Executive Director - Blood Operations, Rhode Island Blood Center (ribc.org) joins us with the details. We're in a "blood emergency" when the blood supply runs low and donation...

Veterans Wanted! The 6th Annual Calling All Veterans Day is coming to the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park (21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown, RI), home of the most unique logo and location marker, a battle-ready bee! Deb Burton, MS, Executive Director & Gerontologist of RI Elder Info stops by to provide the details in this the 60th year of the Older Americans Act. This FREE annual community outdoor...

"ALS United brings together independent organizations across the country, each deeply rooted in their communities, to provide care and support where it matters most – close to home". In the smallest state in the union, ALS United RI is a support network, who's mission is to unite members in serving people with ALS and provide valuable resources to families and their loved ones facing this insidiou...