>> NOW MORE THAN EVER WE LOOK TO ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAIL BLAZERS TO TACKLE SOCIAL ISSUES.

FROM HOMELESSNESS TO GENDER EQUALITY TO MENTAL HEALTH, RHODE ISLAND HAS A VIBRANT FELLOWSHIP OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CHANGE.ED TO PROVIDING HOPE AND JOIN US FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT WHERE SIX INNOVATORS WILL PRESENT THEIR IDEAS TO A PANEL OF JUDGES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A SHARE OF $90,000 IN SEED FUNDING THAT COULD HELP TRANSFORM THESE BOLD IDEAS INTO A REALITY.

THIS IS "SPARKED!"

♪ >> NONPROFITS HELP PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND PLACES IN OUR STATE.

THEY CAN TEACH, ENTERTAIN, AND CARE FOR US.

RECOGNIZING RHODE ISLAND'S NONPROFITS, UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND, AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF GREENHOUSE PROUDLY SPONSORS "SPARKED!

THE NONPROFIT INNOVATION LAB" OF RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> WELCOME TO THE 2022 NONPROFIT INNOVATION LAB EVENT.

I AM JOE SHORT.

BACK IN JUNE, THEY CHOSE A SELECT GROUP OF NONPROFIT VENTURES WITH OLD INNOVATIONS THAT COULD HAVE A STRONG IMPACT ON SOCIAL L ISSUES.

I TALKED WITH CORTNEY NICOLATO AND KELLY RAMIREZ.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NONPROFIT INNOVATION LAB AND HOW IT WORKS.

CORTNEY: WE ARE EXCITED THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY.

THE NONPROFIT INNOVATION LAB HAS BEEN A DREAM TO SPARK INNOVATION AND SUPPORT OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DOING AMAZING THINGS AND TAKE ABOUT HOW THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY THAT NONPROFITS ARE MISSION-DRIVEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

THAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR UNITED WAY TO CREATE A NONPROFIT INNOVATION LAB AND CHOOSE OUR AMAZING PARTNER, SOCIAL ENTERPRISE GREENHOUSE.

JOE: KELLY, TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT HAS GONE THESE INNOVATORS HERE TODAY.

KELLY: I JUST WANT TO THANK THE UNITED WAY FOR THINKING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND RECOGNIZING THAT WE NEED INNOVATION TO SOLVE OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES.

WE WENT THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION PROCESS.

WE SELECTED SIX FELLOWS.

THE PROGRAM IS MEANT TO GIVE THESE INNOVATORS THE SPACE, ACCESS TO NETWORKS OF KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP, LAUNCH, AND GROW THEIR IDEAS.

THE PROGRAM STARTED WITH A 12 WEEK BOOT CAMP WHERE THE FELLOWS GOT TO WORK WITH SOME LEADERS IN THE FIELD, LEARNED ABOUT BEST PRACTICE.

THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A 16 WEEK ACCELERATOR PROCESS WHERE EACH FELLOW GOT TO WORK WITH TEAMS OF COACHES AND ADVISORS, EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND THIS IS ALL CULMINATING WITH THE PITCHES THAT YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT LATER IN THE PROGRAM AND THESE AMAZING FELLOWS ARE COMPETING FOR $95,000 IN FUNDING.

FIRST FIVE, $55,000 -- FIRST PRIZE, $55,000 AND THERE IS A CHOICE AWARD OF $35,000 AND THIS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING THEM TAKE THEIR INNOVATIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

JOE: A LOT OF HARD WORK TO GET TO THIS POINT.

KELLY: A LOT OF HARD WORK AND IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO WORK WITH SOME ARE -- SOME OF OUR STATE LEADING EXECUTIVES.

JOE: WE ARE EXCITED TO HEAR THE PITCHES.

CORTNEY: LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

KELLY: CANNOT WAIT.

JOE: HERE WE ARE AND ALL THAT HARD WORK IS ABOUT TO PAY OFF BIG.

FOR THE NEXT HOUR, EACH FELLOW WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO PITCH THEIR IDEA FOLLOWED BY TWO MINUTES OF Q&A FROM OUR JUDGES.

LET'S MEET OUR JUDGES.

DOLPH JOHNSON FROM HASBRO.

SONIA MILLSOM FROM DIALOGUE AND LORI SULLIVAN FROM RHODE ISLAND PBS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND BEING PART OF THIS EVENT.

TONIGHT'S FELLOWS ARE JOINING US FROM SIX NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FROM ACROSS RHODE ISLAND.

THEY ARE CHILDREN'S FRIEND, COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE, PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY, SPECTRUM THEATRE ENSEMBLE, WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM, AND WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND.

THE JUDGES ARE EAGER TO GET STARTED SO LET'S BEGIN WITH OUR FIRST FELLOW, JOSHUA WIZER-VECCHI FROM CHILDREN'S FRUITED -- CHILDREN'S FRIEND THE LOOK TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> I AM THE CEO HERE AT CHILDREN'S FRIEND.

THE MISSION OF CHILDREN'S FRIEND IS TO BE THE INNOVATIVE LEADER IN IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF RHODE ISLAND'S YOUNGEST MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT YOUNG VULNERABLE CHILDREN, WE ARE INVOLVED WITH FAMILY BECAUSE THERE IS USUALLY A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AND WE WORK WITH THE FAMILY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT YOU CANNOT MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON A CHILD IN ISOLATION.

YOU NEED TO WORK WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE AT CHILDREN'S FRIEND ARE CHILDREN UNDER THE POVERTY LEVEL SO THESE ARE KIDS COMING FROM FAMILIES WITH VERY LOW INCOMES.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF HOME VISITING AN EARLY EDUCATION CLASSROOM-BASED PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THOSE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> MY NAME IS JOSHUA WIZER-VECCHI.

I AM THE INNOVATION MANAGER.

MY GOAL IS TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE AND THE STAFF HERE AT CHILDREN'S FRIEND TO BE INVOLVED IN CREATING SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES.

WE THINK THAT BY DOING SO WE CAN CREATE SOLUTIONS THAT BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES.

>> I AM THE FAMILY ADVOCATE COACH AT CHILDREN'S FRIEND.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT WORKING FOR CHILDREN'S FRIEND IS THE FACT THAT I HAVE A VOICE AND I AM ABLE TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE AGENCY.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO EMPOWER OUR STAFF, GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE, THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT IMPACT THEIR WORK AND KIDS AND FAMILIES.

THEY KNOW THE WORK BEST AND THEY CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS.

JOE: WELCOME, JOSH.

WE ARE EXCITED TO HEAR YOUR PITCH SO TAKE IT AWAY.

JOSH: NEARLY 50% OF NONPROFITS HAVE STRUGGLED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TURNOVER HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THE SOLUTION MIGHT BE RIGHT THERE AT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS?

AT CHILDREN'S FRIEND FOR 187 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW IF WE WILL CONTINUE, WE NEED TO KEEP LEARNING.

WE BELIEVE WE DO THAT BY MAKING INNOVATION EVERYONE'S BUSINESS.

NONPROFITS FACE CONSTANT CHANGE AND COVID HAS BROUGHT THEM FASTER AND FASTER.

OUR STAFF WHO DO MEANINGFUL JOBS FIND THEMSELVES SOCIALLY DISTANCED, AND HAVE TO DO SO MUCH MORE.

THE WAY WE APPROACH CHANGE, IT DISENGAGES THEM.

LEADERS TAKE THE BEST INFORMATION THEY CAN AND PUSH DECISIONS DOWN TO FRONTLINE STAFF.

REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOMES OF THOSE DECISIONS, THAT PROCESS IS DISEMPOWERING AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN STAFF FEEL UNDERVALUED, THEIR WORK CAN SUFFER AND FAMILIES LOSE OUT.

BUT LEADERS DO NOT NEED TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS BECAUSE STAFF HAVE SO MANY.

THEY KNOW THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, BUT MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY KNOW WHAT WORKS.

CHILDREN'S FRIEND, WE START THERE.

WE START BY TALKING ABOUT THEIR STRENGTHS, WHAT THEY DO WELL, AND THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN TAKE WHAT THEY DO WELL AND USE IT TO WORK ON THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THEM EVERY DAY.

LIKE ONE TEAM WHO REALIZED THAT INDIVIDUALLY THEY FACED MOUTHS OF PAPERWORK WITH FRESH RATED FAMILIES AND STAFF ALIKE.

THEY REARRANGED THE PROCESS TO A SERIES OF FUN FILLED FAMILY EVENTS THAT GOT EVERYBODY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL.

WE DO THIS FROM SMALL CHANGES AND LARGE.

OUR STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN DECISION-MAKING.

WHEN WE DO THIS, OUR STAFF FEEL MORE VALUED, MORE ENGAGED, AND MORE LIKELY TO STICK AROUND.

MOST IMPORTANT, WE KNOW THAT WHEN STAFF FEEL VALUED AND ENGAGED, THEIR FAMILIES TEND TO DO BETTER AND THEY DO BETTER WORK.

WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.

WE THINK WE HAVE A RECIPE THAT CAN REALLY MAKE CHANGE WORK FOR NONPROFITS.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE WILL RESEARCH AND REFINE OUR WORK AND BUILDING TOOLKIT AND WHEN WE HAVE IT, WE WANT TO SHARE IT WITH OTHER NONPROFITS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ACROSS RHODE ISLAND.

THANK YOU.

JOE: GREAT.

JUDGES, YOUR TURN.

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR JOSH?

>> JOSH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND REPRESENTING CHILDREN'S FRIEND.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

FROM THE STANDPOINT OF WHEN CHILDREN'S FRIEND WAS ESTABLISHED AND THE ORIGINAL IDEA, HOW HAS IT CHANGED AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE?

JOSH: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I CAN SPEAK TO THE LAST LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE SHIFTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES AND WE STARTED AS AN ORPHANAGE SUPPORTING VULNERABLE KIDS WHOSE PARENTS WERE LOST IN THE MILLS IN RHODE ISLAND AND WE HAVE ADAPTED TO BUILD OUT MORE WORK WORKING WITH FAMILIES, WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND MORE RECENTLY HAVE MOVED INTO EARLY EDUCATION BE FOUND THAT PROVISION IS THE WORK THAT CAN GET KIDS AND FAMILIES BEFORE THOSE BIGGER CHALLENGES COME ABOUT.

WE HAVE REALIZED THE CHANGE COMES TOO QUICKLY AND WE NEED TO ADAPT FASTER THAN A SINGLE FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE HAVE BEEN THINKNG ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THAT.

OUR APPROACH HAS BEEN TO ENGAGE MORE STAFF AND WE HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE SUCCESS WHEN WE GET OUR STAFF ENGAGED.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> GREAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

IT IS VERY SIMILAR WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF EMPOWERING PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE PILOTED SO FAR.

ARE THERE OTHER EXAMPLES YOU HAVE DONE?

JOSH: YES.

WHEN WE FINISHED OUR LAST STRATEGIC PLAN, HE REALIZED WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE HAD STAFF TAKE ON ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND RAISE EVERYONE'S SUGGESTIONS TO OUR BOARD TO SAY THIS IS WHAT WE THINK WE NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES WITH THE WAY WE GET FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH OUR PROGRAMS AND MAKE CHANGE, THE WAY WE WORK, THE WAY WE USE OUR ELECTRONIC RECORD.

THEY PROVIDED FEEDBACK THAT IS GOING INTO EFFECT.

THE POSITION I HOLD, INNOVATION MANAGER, WAS DESIGNED IN THOSE PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SOMEONE WHO COULD ADVOCATE FOR THIS WORK AND PUSH IT FORWARD.

JOE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PITCH AND YOUR HARD WORK.

JOSH: THANK YOU.

JOE: OUR NEXT FELLOW IS MICHELLE TAYLOR FROM COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE WHERE THEY LOOK TO LAUNCH A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED.

MICHELLE: MY NAME IS MICHELLE TAYLOR.

I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES AT COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE.

COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE IS A BEHAVIOR HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM.

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING.

WE SERVE OVER 16,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR.

MY NAME IS MELISSA ROULEAU.

I AM THE DIRECTOR OF -- >> MY NAME IS MELISSA ROULEAU.

I AM THERE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AT THE COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE.

SPECIFICALLY IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING DIVISION.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE HOPE AND WE HELP THEM FIND THAT HOPE.

GIVE THEM HOPE AND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME SUCCESSFUL.

>> MY NAME IS DESIREE LEWIS AND I AM A LATINO HE WORKER -- UTILITY WORKER.

I FIND COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE TO BE VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE THEY HELPED DEFINE THE RESOURCES I NEED TO REATE A BETTER LIFE.

>> MY IDEA IS TO LAUNCH A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN EVERY ASPECT OF A CLEANING BUSINESS.

NOT ONLY DOING THE CLEANING, BUT LEARNING HOW TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM AND THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO LAUNCH THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

STAR CLEAN IS A TIMELY BUSINESS THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES CREATING A HEALTHIER AND SAFER ENVIRONMENT.

NOT ONLY CAN WE HELP PEOPLE LEARN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT, BUT WE HELP THEM MAINTAIN THAT EMPLOYMENT LONG-TERM.

WE ARE ABLE TO WRAP AROUND A SET OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE BARRIERS THAT MIGHT PREVENT THEM FROM SUSTAINING THAT JOB.

WHETHER THEY STAY WITH STAR CLEAN OR LAUNCH INTO A COMPETITIVE CLIMATE, WE ARE LAUNCHING PEOPLEINDUCE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND SECURITY FOR THE LONG-TERM.

JOE: WELCOME, MICHELLE.

ARE YOU READY?

MICHELLE: I AM READY.

JOHN WAS ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD WHEN HIS FATHER PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY.

OVERWHELMED, HIS MOTHER MOVED HIM AND HIS SIBLINGS FROM PUERTO RICO TO RHODE ISLAND TO BE CLOSER TO FAMILY.

HE WAS OVERWHELMED.

HE STRUGGLED AND DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL IN 11TH GRADE AND AT AGE 30, HAS NEVER HELD A JOB.

UNFORTUNATELY, JOHN IS NOT ALONE.

WHAT WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH MANY OF OUR FOLKS IS THAT THEY STRUGGLE TO GET THROUGH SCHOOL.

THE GRADUATION RATE IS 63%.

THE AVERAGE INCOME IS UNDER $25,000, LESS THAN HALF OF THE STATE AVERAGE OF OVER $67,000.

THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS POORLY DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

STAR CLEAN IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH THAT WILL QUICKLY MOVE PEOPLE FROM POVERTY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY.

THE IDEA IS TO OFFER PEOPLE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, A PAID INTERNSHIP, AND A DIRECT PIPELINE TO AN EMPLOYER.

WE HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL EMPLOYERS IN THE AREA WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID, NEEDING TO INCREASE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLEANING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND ALSO SUFFERING FROM WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FOLKS TO CONNECT WITH THESE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER AT COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT CHILDCARE CAN BE A BARRIER FOR THAT TRANSPORTATION CAN BE A BARRIER.

NOT ONLY WILL WE HELP PEOPLE TO GET THE EMPLOYMENT SKILLS THAT THEY NEED, BUT WE WILL HELP THEM ONNECT WITH A CHILDCARE SITUATION OR TO PERHAPS WE WILL GIVE THEM GAS MONEY SO THEY CAN GET TO THEIR JOB FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OR TO PROVIDE THEM WITH CLOTHING SO THAT THEY CAN GET A PROFESSIONAL JOB.

THE STAR CLEAN IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY.

WE OFFER AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LAUNCHING THEIR OWN CLEANING BUSINESS OR PERHAPS ANOTHER BUSINESS.

PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE FROM A MENU OF OPTIONS IN TERMS OF THE CAREER PATH THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO GO.

ONCE THEY HAVE COMPLETED WITH STAR CLEAN, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE WILL BE DONE WITH THEM.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY.

COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN SUPPORTING PEOPLE FOR OVER 125 YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY PROVIDING THAT SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

WE HAVE OVER 16,000 PEOPLE AND MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WE ARE SERVING ARE READY FOR A PROGRAM LIKE STAR CLEAN AND THEY ARE READY TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS.

A VOTE FOR STAR CLEAN IS A VOTE FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY, INDIVIDUAL WELL-BEING, FAMILY WELL-BEING, AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU.

JOE: THANK YOU, MICHELLE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELLE.

I LOVE YOUR PRESENTATION.

MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHERE DO YOU SEE THAT MONEY GOING TO IF YOU WERE TO WIN?

WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING TO GO?

MICHELLE: WE ARE GOING TO SPEND IT ON THE STIPENDS FOR THE INTERNSHIP.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT PEOPLE TEND NOT TO DO TRAINING PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THAT TIME.

IRONICALLY, THEY ARE OFTEN NOT WORKING BUT THE CHALLENGE IS RECEIVING A STIPEND IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO HELP PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A TRAINING PROGRAM AND SUSTAIN UNTIL THEY GET TO THE EMPLOYMENT PHASE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JOE: MICHELLE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

-- >> AS YOU THINK ABOUT THIS, HOW DO YOU ENVISION SCALING THIS UP OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND YEARS?

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND WHAT WILL THAT TAKE TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY?

MICHELLE: WE WILL START WITH A COHORT OF 10 PARTICIPANTS IN A SINGLE CLASSROOM.

WE WILL DO FOUR COHORTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AS THE PROGRAM BEGINS TO GROW AND WE BEGIN TO CONNECT MORE PEOPLE, WE CAN ADD ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS AND RUN THEM MORE CONSECUTIVELY.

THAT IS THE PLAN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

MICHELLE: THANK YOU.

JOE: OUR NEXT FELLOW IS KELSEY MULLEN FROM PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY WHERE THEY WANT TO USE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO CONNECT AND PRESERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> I AM BRENT RUNYON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

SINCE 1956 THE PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY HAS PRESERVED BUILDINGS AND STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE CITY LEADING TO A MORE VIBRANT PROVIDENCE AND A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

WE ARE LEARNING HOW TO DO HIS OR PRESERVATION IN A NEW WAY.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE MORE NEIGHBORS TO HELP CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.

EDUCATION IS A MAJOR PART OF OUR MISSION.

WE ARE RETURNING THE OLD BRICK SCHOOLHOUSE TO A CENTER OF LEARNING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THIS BUILDING WAS THE FIRST PLACE IN AMERICA THAT PROVIDED PUBLIC FREE EDUCATION FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN AND LATER PROVIDED TRAINING FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS, DISABLED CHILDREN, AND OTHERS.

WE ARE EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY AND INVITING EVERYONE TO JOIN US .

OUR IDEA IS A PLACE TO CREATE COMMUNITY, DO TRAINING IN THE WORKFORCE SKILLS TO PRESERVE THESE OLD BUILDINGS, PLACE TO INCUBATE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE PRESERVATION TRADES.

KELSEY: MY NAME IS KELSEY MULLEN AND I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

OUR WORK IS ONLY MEANINGFUL IF IT IS WITH, FOR, ABOUT THE MESSY HUMAN STORY THAT ENLIVEN THE LANDSCAPES AROUND US.

>> I AM MORGAN THOMPSON AND I AM A GRADUATE OF THE WINDOW TRAINING PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON ME.

I WAS ABLE TO LEARN A NEW SKILL AND GAIN THE FOOTING TO START MY OWN BUSINESS AFTER CLASS.

>> OUR SHOP WILL BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE NEED WE KNOW IS THERE TO MAINTAIN THESE OLD BUILDINGS AND THE SUPPLY OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

JOE: WELCOME, KELSEY.

LET'S HEAR YOUR PITCH.

KELSEY: IN RHODE ISLAND WHERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE OLDEST BUILDINGS IN THE COUNTRY, HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE PROBABLY TOUCHES YOUR LIFE IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU REALIZE.

ALL BUILDINGS ARE WHERE WE LIVE, WORK, AND GATHER AND IT IS OUR JOB AT THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY TO LOOK OUT FOR THESE PROPERTIES BIG AND SMALL AND KEEP THEM WORKING FOR EVERYONE.

WE HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME THAT RHODE ISLAND DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WORKING IN THE PRESERVATION TRADES DESPITE THE STATE'S HIGHER THAN AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS AND THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE, FIRST FLAGGED BY THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVER 50 YEARS AGO.

IN OUR OWN SURVEY OF PRESERVATION EMPLOYERS STATEWIDE, THEY UNANIMOUSLY REPORTED SKILL SHORTAGES AS THEIR TOP CONCERN.

TWO YEARS AGO WE BEGAN OFFERING TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY PAY UNEMPLOYED RHODE ISLANDERS TO LEARN TRADITIONAL BUILDING SKILLS AND THEN WE SUPPORT TRAINEES AS THEY TRANSITION INTO NEW CAREERS IN THE PRESERVATION TRADES.

HAPPILY, 80% OF OUR GRADUATES HAVE FOUND FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND MANY HAVE STARTED THEIR OWN SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE FUNDED OUR WORK SO FAR THROUGH PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY AND A MAJOR GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING.

BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO EXPANDING THE PIPELINE IS THE SPACE.

WE NEED A PLACE WE CAN RELIABLY OFFER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND WHERE FLEDGLING BUSINESSES CAN WATCH THEIR CAREERS.

WE HAVE MOSTLY BEEN HOLDING OUR PROGRAMS OUTDOORS SUBJECT TO SPRING AND FALL WEATHER AND WORKSPACE IS A TOP PRIORITY.

WE KNOW THAT GRADUATES NEED A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO AND FIND BUSINESS SKILLS AND BUSINESS MENTORSHIP.

THEY NEED SPECIALTY TOOLS AND STORAGE SPACE AND THEY NEED ACCESS TO OUR WHITE NECK OF INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS.

WHEN MORGAN THOMPSON FIRST LAUNCHED THEIR BUSINESS, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WORKSPACE EVERYWHERE.

ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE INDOOR SPACE MEANT THEY COULD RELY ON THIS WORK YEAR-ROUND AS THEIR FULL-TIME JOB AND THERE IS A LACK OF SPACE RIGHT NOW.

THE INGREDIENTS WE NEED TO MAKE THIS SHOP A REALITY ARE ALL WITHIN REACH.

SO FAR, WE HAVE SKETCHED OUT OUR SPACE REQUIREMENTS AND TOURED POTENTIAL SITES.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED DEMAND FOR MORE TRAINING PROGRAMS AND WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR OWN RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE WORKING IN THE TRADES WHO CAN TEACH AND MENTOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

WE JUST NEED FUNDING.

WITH THE WORKSHOP WE ENVISION UP AND RUNNING, WE CAN HELP MORE RHODE ISLANDERS FIND THEIR PATH TO MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND KEEP THE STATES INCREDIBLE SUPPLY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN ACTIVE SERVICE.

WE CANNOT IMAGINE RHODE ISLAND WITHOUT THEM.

CAN YOU?

THANK YOU.

JOE: THANK YOU, KELSEY.

JUDGES?

>> KELSEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GREAT PRESENTATION.

I LOVED THE STATISTIC, ABOUT 80% OF THE BUILDINGS BUILT BEFORE 1970, IT IS AMAZING TO THINK ABOUT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL TRADES THAT THE PEOPLE ARE USING AND HOW DO YOU PAIR PEOPLE WITH THOSE SKILL SETS TO TRAIN THEM FOR WORK?

KELSEY: WE HAVE BEGUN OUR TWO PILOT CYCLES WITH WINDOW RESTORATION BECAUSE THIS IS A SKILL THAT IS NECESSARY STATEWIDE.

TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF SCALE, THERE ARE 9 MILLION HISTORIC WOODEN WINDOWS THAT NEED RESTORATION EVERY 25 YEARS AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE ANYTIME SOON.

THE SKILLS NEEDED TO LEARN WINDOW RESTORATION ARE WIDELY APPLICABLE.

YOU NEED ATTENTION TO DETAIL, CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE E ACH INDIVIDUAL WINDOW AS ITS OWN PROJECT.

DEMONSTRATE THEIR APTITUDE FOR ADDITIONAL TRADES.

WE HOPE TO ADD FINE CARPENTRY, PLASTERWORK, AND MASONRY TO OUR OPTIONS.

JOE: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, JUDGES?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

YOU KEPT TALKING ABOUT THIS COMMUNAL SPACE.

IS THAT WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO OR IS IT ALSO GOING TO GO TO OTHER EMPLOYEES?

KELSEY: SO FAR, WE HAVE TWO STAFF DEDICATED TO THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS ADEQUATE TO SCALE IT UP FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS.

FUNDING WOULD GO TOWARDS OUTFITTING A SPACE SO THAT IT MEETS OUR NEEDS.

WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING A BUILDING AT THIS TIME ALTHOUGH WE ARE INTERESTED IN OLD BUILDINGS, WE DO NOT NEED TO ADD MORE TO OUR PORTFOLIO.

WE PREFER TO RENT SPACE AND EQUIP IT WITH ALL OF THE TOOLS AND SPACES ARE TRAINEES REALLY NEED.

JOE: FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OUR NEXT FELLOW IS CLAY MARTIN FROM SPECTRUM THEATRE ENSEMBLE WHERE THEY LOOK TO STANDARDIZE THE INCLUSION OF NEURAL DIVERSITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

CLAY: MY NAME IS CLAY MARTIN AND I AM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF SPECTRUM THEATRE ENSEMBLE.

OUR MISSION IS TO EVOLVE THE AWARENESS, RESOURCES, AND PROFESSIONALS TO EMPOWER NEURO-DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN ACHIEVING FULL OPPORTUNITY AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> MY NAME IS BRIAN HARRISON.

I AM OVER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAD NOT WORKED WITH PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM PRIOR TO WORKING WITH STE, IT HAS BEEN A LEARNING PROCESS BUT IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE OFF THE SPECTRUM.

IT TAKES UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY, AND PATIENCE TO WORK TOWARD THE SAME GOAL.

>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL JOHN CARLY AND I AM A CONSULTANT IN THE AS BURGER NEURO-DIVERSITY BOARD.

IT HAS BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE I WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING ON THE SPECTRUM AND I WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY THEATER AND I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HARD I WAS TO CONVINCE CLINICIANS HOW BENEFICIAL THEATER WAS FOR PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM AND I HAVE THE PROOF OF WHAT IT HAD MEANT TO LEARN ABOUT HOW MY BODY WORKS ON STAGE, WHAT IT HAD MEANT TO BE ONE OF THE CHARACTERS AS OPPOSED TO IN MY OWN MIND ALL THE TIME.

HERE IT IS 20 YEARS LATER AND WE HAVE NOT ONLY GOTTEN OVER THAT LESSON, BUT NOW WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT JUST CAST PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM, IT IS RUN BY PEOPE ON THE SPECTRUM.

>> ARE IDEA IS -- OUR IDEA WILL PROVIDE TRAINING, CONSULTATION, AND ACCREDITATION TO BOTH STANDARDIZE AND CREATE INSTITUTION WIDE INCLUSION OF NEURO-DIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

THE NICE PROGRAM BUILDS ON SENSORY-INCLUSIVE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AROUND THE COUNTRY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND CREATE A BUSINESS MODEL THAT CAN CREATE SUSTAINABLE INSTITUTION-WIDE IMPLEMENTATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF THESE PRACTICES IN ORDER TO NOT ONLY BENEFIT THE NEURO-DIVERGENT COMMUNITY, BUT SUSTAINED THE PERFORMING ARTS.

JOE: CLAY, WELCOME.

LET'S HEAR YOUR PITCH.

CLAY: THANKS.

AS A NEURO-DIVERGENT INDIVIDUAL, I GRAVITATED TOWARD THEATER BECAUSE IT WAS A HOME FOR PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY BEHAVED DIFFERENTLY.

AS MY CAREER DEVELOPED, I REALIZED THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE SOME OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE AND RESTRICTIVE PLACES IN OUR SOCIETY AND THAT IS WHY SPECTRUM THEATRE ENSEMBLE DEVELOPED THE NEURO-DIVERSE INCLUSIVE CERTIFIED ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM.

TO EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR THIS, I WENT TO GIVE YOU SOME FACTS.

WHEN I WAS BORN, AUTISM DISORDER WAS DIAGNOSED AT ONE IN 2500 PEOPLE.

LAST YEAR, THAT DIAGNOSES RATE WAS ONE IN 44.

BY MAKING ARTS MORE INCLUSIVE, WE WILL INCREASE THE AUDIENCE SIZE OF THEATER, WHICH IS SOMETHING THE PERFORMANCE ARTS DEFINITELY NEEDS.

500,000 ADULTS ON THE SPECTRUM WILL AGENT TO -- 500,000 TEENAGERS ON THE SPECTRUM WILL AGENT TO ADULTHOOD IN THE NEXT DECADE.

BY MAKING THE INSTITUTIONS BOTH ON STAGE AND OFF INCLUSIVE, WE CAN PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR THESE PEOPLE THAT RUN OUT OF IT WHEN THEY TURN 21.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, 90% OF THEM ARE UNDEREMPLOYED WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN SOCIETY.

BY CREATING THIS PROGRAM AND TRAINING NEURO-DIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE THESE ACCOMMODATIONS, WE WILL INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT SOCIETY.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

WHAT WE USE IS WHAT WE CALL THE HUB INSTITUTION MODEL.

WE PARTNER WITH A MAJOR INSTITUTION IN EACH COMMUNITY AND TRAIN THEM AND IMPLEMENT SENSORY-ACCOMMODATING PRACTICES.

THEN WE WORK WITHIN AND NEURO-DIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS IN THE SAME COMMUNITY TO TRAIN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND STE WILL CERTIFY AND MAINTAIN THOSE IMPLEMENTS SO WE CAN CREATE A SYSTEMWIDE COMMUNITY OF NEURO-DIVERGENT INCLUSION.

OUR HOPE IS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT CAN BOTH EMPLOY ARTISTS ON AND OFF THE SPECTRUM AND CAN INCREASE OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT OUR SOCIETY.

THANK YOU.

JOE: THANKS SO MUCH.

JUDGES, THOUGHTS FOR CLAY?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR SOCIETY AND I'VE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU TAKING THIS ON AND ADDRESSING IT.

IN ADDITION TO PREPARING INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, ARE THERE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM IN TERMS OF THE SUPPORT AND THE RESOURCES FROM OF THE TRAINING YOU HAVE ALLUDED TO TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS IN TERMS OF OTHER ASPECTS OF SOCIETY?

CLAY: ABSOLUTELY.

THEATER IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PRACTICE AND LEARN SOCIAL INTERACTION.

IT IS A SAFE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN ENGAGE AN EXPERIMENT WITH WAYS TO EXPRESS YOURSELF THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE SEEN.

I THINK THAT IS A BENEFIT THAT WE ALL GET FROM IT, BUT CAN ESPECIALLY BENEFIT PEOPLE WHO ARE NEURO-DIVERGENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

IT IS ALWAYS AN INSPIRATION WHEN YOU USE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OTHERS.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW THE COST ALLOCATION WOULD BE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE BUILDING A TOOLKIT.

HOW ARE YOU ALLOCATING THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT?

CLAY: WE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING THIS PROGRAM FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

THE COST ALLOCATION IF WE RECEIVE SUPPORT WILL HELP US TRAIN MORE NEURO-DIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS TO BE THESE CONSULTANTS AND EXPERTS SO THAT WE CAN BRING THESE TWO ENTITIES EVEN FASTER THAN WE WERE PLANNING TO DO WITH OUR ORIGINAL LAUNCH.

JOE: NICE JOB, CLAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OUR NEXT FELLOW IS DESTENIE VITAL FROM WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM WHERE THEY LOOK TO EXPAND ON THEIR MISSION OF GIVING AWAY FRESH FLOWERS TO SPREAD CHEER.

DESTENIE: MY NAME IS DESTENIE VITAL AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM IS AN URBAN FARM LOCATED IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

WE HAVE ABOUT 2.7 ACRES OF LAND THAT WE ARE USING TO GROW FLOWERS AND PLANTS.

THE OTHER HALF WE PLAN ON REHABILITATING INTO COMMUNITY SPACE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

OUR MISSION IS TO SPREAD JOY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO THOSE IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.

WE DONATE 100% OF OUR FLOWERS TO CHARITY.

>> MY NAME IS CHERYL AND I AM A VOLUNTEER AT THE WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

I STARTED DOING DELIVERIES AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, BRINGING THE FLOWERS TO THE DOOR AND THEY WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS AND GIGANTIC SMILES, WITH LOTS OF THANK YOU'S.

IT IS SO HEARTWARMING.

IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY SPECIAL.

IT MELTS MY HEART TO SEE THE JOY IN PEOPLE'S FACES WHEN THEY GET THESE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS FROM WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

I JUST LOVE IT.

DESTENIE: OUR IDEAS TO EXPAND UPON OUR MISSION AND TO INCLUDE CHILDREN.

OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY THOUSANDS OF FLOWERS TO ADULT IN DIRE SITUATIONS AND STRESSFUL SITUATIONS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY MATTER.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE OVERLOOKED THAT IF THE ADULTS ARE STRESSED OUT, THE CHILDREN ARE STRESSED OUT AS WELL.

CAN YOU IMAGINE AS A CHILD BRINGING HOME A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET TO GIVE TO YOUR FAMILY OR TO BEAUTIFY YOUR SPACE OR TO HAND IT TO A LOVED ONE?

WE WANT TO LET THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY NO THAT THEY MATTER AND WE LIKE TO DO THIS THROUGH FLOWERS.

JOE: YOU ARE HERE.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT THE CHEER.

LET'S HEAR YOUR PITCH.

DESTENIE: MAKING A BOUQUET DRIVES STRESS, ANXIETY, AND SADNESS AWAY.

IT IS A CUTE LITTLE JINGLE.

I LIKE TO SAY IT SOMETIMES BUT IT IS ACTUALLY TRUE.

SCIENCE LETS US KNOW THAT FLOWERS ARE POWERFUL.

FLOWERS ARE SO POWERFUL THAT IT BRINGS ON IMMEDIATE HAPPINESS FOR THE GIVER AND THE RECEIVER.

WHEN YOU PLACE FLOWERS IN A SPACE, POSITIVE FEELINGS AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE A HAPPY SPACE AND WHEN YOU GIVE THEM TO LOVED ONES, THE BOND STRENGTHENS.

WE KNOW THIS AT WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

WE HAVE BUILT AN ENTIRE NATION BEHIND THE SCIENCE OF FLOWERS.

SO MUCH SO, THE STAFF OF TWO GAVE AWAY NEARLY 90,000 FLOWERS ALL OVER THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO BRING CHEER.

AND IT WAS THE FIRST GROUP THAT RECEIVED FLOWERS, VETERANS, SENIORS, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, FOOD INSECURITY.

WE NAME IT, WE WERE IN THE BACKGROUND.

BUT THERE IS ONE GROUP WE MISSED AND WE ARE HOPING TO REMEDY THIS WITH OUR INNOVATION IDEA AND THIS IS CHILDREN.

WE WANT TO BRING THE POWER OF FLOWERS TO CHILDREN THROUGH INNOVATION, AND A PROGRAMMING -- INNOVATION ALL PROGRAMMING.

WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED.

WE KICKED OFF OUR PILOT PROGRAM LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK I HAVE A WAITING LIST OF 1500 CHILDREN WAITING TO RECEIVE THE POWER OF FLOWERS.

THE TIME IS NOW BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY ARE UP AGAINST.

WE HAVE SEEN THE HEADLINES.

WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE DYSFUNCTION.

WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE TURNOVER.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE PROFICIENCY RATES.

WE WANT TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.

WE WANT TO LET THE STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT THEIR PROFICIENCY SCORES.

WE APPRECIATE THEM, ENCOURAGE THEM, AND BELIEVE IN THEM.

LET'S HAVE FUN.

AND LET'S HAVE FUN WITH FLOWERS.

LAST WEEK, THIS NOTE WAS ATTACHED TO THE FLOWERS GIVEN TO THE STUDENTS AT MARY ELEMENTARY.

THEY PRESENTED EVERY SINGLE TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL WITH AN ARRANGEMENT FROM WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

REMEMBER WHEN I SAID AT THE BEGINNING THAT FLOWERS STRENGTHEN THE BONDS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS?

AS IT TURNS OUT, IT STRENGTHENS THE BOND BETWEEN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

JOE: THANK YOU.

JUDGES, QUESTIONS?

>> I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING HERE AND I LOVE THIS SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS WITH COVID.

BEING ABLE TO GIVE THE PARENT OR A TEACHER I LOVED ONE A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS IS BRILLIANT AND SO SWEET.

WITH THAT SAID, HOW ARE YOU GOING -- HOW IS THIS DONE?

IS THERE A PICKUP AREA?

IS THIS MONEY GOING TO DRIVERS TO CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS?

HOW DO THESE CHILDREN FIND YOU?

DESTENIE: WE BRING THE FELLERS -- WE BRING THE FLOWERS TO THEM.

THERE ARE NO BARRIERS TO THEM RECEIVING THE FLOWERS.

I AM PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS THROUGH AGENCIES.

RIGHT NOW, I AM CURRENTLY PARTNERING WITH RHODE ISLAND FAMILY SERVICES THROUGH THEIR PROGRAM WHICH IS A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR ATTENDANCE.

THE AMERICORPS'S ARE PARTNERING WITH US TO HELP US JUST TRIBUTE FLOWERS.

THERE IS NO HEAVY LIFTING FOR THE SCHOOLS.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS GIVE US THE NUMBER OF HOW MANY FLOWERS THEY NEED AND WE SHOW UP WITH AN ARMY OF FLOWERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> FANTASTIC.

>> I LOVE THE IDEA.

IT IS SUCH A WONDERFUL CONCEPT.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT THE CHILDREN WHERE THE NEXT TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS AND HOW ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THEM?

>DESTENIE: I AM NOT FROM RHODE ISLAND.

I HAVE ONLY BEEN IN THE RHODE ISLAND AREA PRE-COVID SO I FEEL LIKE I HAVE JUST GOTTEN HERE TO BE HONEST.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CHILDREN AROUND THE FARM.

I SEE THEM ALL THE TIME.

WHEN I AM DELIVERING FLOWERS, I AM OFTEN DELIVERING FLOWERS TO ADULTS IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS BUT IF THE ADULTS ARE STRESSED, THE CHILDREN ARE STRESSED.

IF YOUR MOM IS STRESSED, YOUR DAD, YOUR GRANDMA, CHILDREN FEEL THAT.

I FEEL LIKE WE CAN DO A WHOLE FAMILY OF CHEER IF WE INCLUDE EVERYONE AND MAKE OUR PROGRAMS EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE FOR ALL AGES.

>> THANK YOU.

JOE: THANK YOU, DESTENIE.

WELCOME.

OUR FINAL FELLOW IS KELLY NEVINS FROM WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND WHERE THEY LOOK TO FURTHER SUPPORT WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES.

KELLY: I AM KELLY NEVINS AND I AM THE CEO OF WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR WOMEN'S POLICY INSTITUTE THAT TRAINS WOMEN TO BE GRASSROOTS LEADERS IN ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE.

THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND IS TO INVEST IN WOMEN AND GIRLS AND WE DO THAT THE RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, GRANTMAKING, AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUITY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE.

WE ENVISION A NEW PROGRAM CALLED WOMEN LEADING IN GOVERNMENT.

THIS WOULD SUPPORT NEWLY ELECTED AND APPOINTED WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT RHODE ISLAND, IN THOSE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE LESS REPRESENTED.

>> MY NAME IS ANGELA AND I AM THE POLICY AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND.

WHEN YOU ARE NO THE ELECTIVE, THERE IS A HIGH LEARNING CURVE THAT HAPPENS AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE RESOURCES AND DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

>> MY NAME IS PAULA AND I AM THE FACILITATOR FOR THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE.

THIS PROGRAM WILL GET PEOPLE RESOURCES AND NETWORKS TO OVERCOME THESE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS.

>> MY NAME IS NELLY AND I AM RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE.

I WAS ON THE BOARD OF THE WOMEN'S FUND AND WE GOT THE RESULTS OF AN UNEVEN PATH WHICH WAS A STUDY THAT LOOKED AT BUDGET CUTS AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS A REAL DISPARITY OF BUDGET CUTS ON FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS.

THAT DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN.

MORE WOMEN STEPPING UP AND RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

I THOUGHT I'D GOING TO GIVE IT A SHOT AND HERE I AM.

JOE: WELCOME.

LET'S HEAR YOUR PITCH.

KELLY: THANK YOU.

WE GET THESE PHONE CALLS AT THE WOMEN'S FUND FREQUENTLY.

"TIME SO FRUSTRATED.

I HAVE BEEN SERVING ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE LAST YEAR.

I AM THE ONLY WOMAN AND I KEEP GETTING TALKED OVER.

WHAT DO I DO?

OR, OUR TOWN HAS JUST CREATED A NEW COMMISSION TO BUILD A COMMUNITY CENTER.

THERE ARE NO WOMEN OF COLOR ON THE COMMISSION.

WHO DO THEY THINK IS GOING TO USE THIS PLACE?"

OUR MISSION IS TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUITY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE.

YOU SAW FROM OUR VIDEO THAT WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR WOMEN'S POLICY INSTITUTE WHERE WE TRAIN WOMEN TO BE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY LEADERS WORKING TOWARD LEGISLATIVE CHANGE.

TOGETHER WITH OUR ALUMNI AND VOLUNTEER NETWORK, WE HAVE PASSED IMPORTANT LAWS LIKE PAID FAMILY LEAVE, SICK TIME, AND THE FAIR PAY ACT.

OUR WORK LITERALLY IMPACTS EVERYONE IN RHODE ISLAND.

WOMEN MAKE UP 50% OF OUR POPULATION BUT IN 46% OF CITIES AND TOWNS THEY ARE NOT WELL REPRESENTED AT THE TABLES WHERE DECISIONS ARE MADE AND RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED.

WE AIM TO ACHIEVE EQUITY IN ALL ELECTED AND APPOINTED ROLES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

OUR SOLUTION IS A NEW PROGRAM CALLED WOMEN LEADING IN GOVERNMENT AND THIS PROGRAM WITH PIPELINE NEW WOMEN LEADERS INTO GOVERNMENT, HELP THOSE WHO ARE NEWLY ELECTED AND APPOINTED TO LEARN THEIR SKILL SET THERE AND STAY IN POWER AND WRAP THEM AROUND WITH SUPPORT SO THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A TRUE VOICE.

WE TALKED WITH 75 WOMEN LEADERS ABOUT THEIR CHALLENGES DURING THEIR FIRST TERM AND WHAT WE HEARD FROM THEM WAS THAT IT WAS REALLY LONELY BEING THE ONLY OR ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN IN THE ROOM.

AT THE SAME TIME WHERE THEY WERE LEARNING ABOUT THIS NEW SPACE, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP, THEY DID NOT KNOW THE DRAGON, THEY DID NOT KNOW -- THEY DID NOT KNOW THE JARGON, THEY DID NOT KNOW ROBERTS RULES.

POWER PLAYS WERE HAPPENING.

THEY WERE GETTING TALKED OVER, SOMETIMES TALKS DOWN TO, AND EVEN INSULTED AND THIS LEFT THEM VULNERABLE TO BEING ONE TURNERS.

WE RISK LOSING OUR MOST INNOVATIVE AND CHARISMATIC FEMALE LEADERS TO A TOXIC LEGISLATIVE CULTURE.

WOMEN LEADING IN CHANGE WOULD SUPPORT THESE WOMEN IN THEIR FIRST TERMS, TRAINING THEM IN IMPORTANT SKILLS LIKE NEGOTIATION, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, EQUITABLE POLICYMAKING, CONNECTING THEM WITH OTHER SUCCESSFUL FEMALE LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE SO THAT THEY KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE WEATHERED THESE CHALLENGES AND CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR THEM TO EXPLORE CHALLENGES TOGETHER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE BELIEVE THIS WILL DIVERSIFY THOSE TABLES WHERE DECISIONS ARE MADE AND RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED , WILL HELP THESE WOMEN FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR NEW ROLES.

THEY WILL BECOME ROLE MODELS FOR OTHER WOMEN BEHIND THEM AND ULTIMATELY THIS WILL IMPROVE RHODE ISLAND AND CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE STATE.

WE NEED $50,000 TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM IN 2022.

WILL YOU BE PART OF THAT CHANGE?

JOE: THANK YOU, KELLY.

IT IS IMPORTANT WORK.

QUESTIONS FOR KELLY?

>> WOMEN BELONG WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.

THANK YOU FOR THIS.

WHAT A GREAT INITIATIVE THAT YOU HAVE.

SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE IT IN CORPORATE AWARE, -- CORPORATE AMERICA.

IN THE ONLY WOMAN OF COLOR IN THE ROOM.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU STRUGGLED -- STRUCTURE PROGRAM.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE ACHIEVE GETTING INTO OFFICE AND THEN IT IS THE PROGRAM.

HOW DOES IT GO AND THE TIMEFRAME?

KELLY: WE ENVISION DOING QUARTERLY RETREATS OF HALF A DAY OR A FULL DAY WHERE WE ARE DOING SKILL TRAINING.

EACH MONTH, WE WILL SET UP VIRTUAL CALLS FOR ALL THE WOMEN IN THE PROGRAM TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND TALK ABOUT THEIR CHALLENGES AND THEY WILL BE PAIRED WITH A MENTOR THAT THEY CAN SCHEDULE TIME WITH ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

THERE WILL BE MONTHLY PIECES BUT THE INTENSE LEARNING WILL HAPPEN ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

>> THIS IS A GREAT PROGRAM.

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT ON TARGET AS FAR AS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

MY QUESTION IS REALLY HOW AND WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN ARE RELUCTANT TO WALKING INTO THIS ARENA?

KELLY: THERE ARE LOTS OF SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT PREVENT WOMEN FROM STEPPING OUT AND SEEING THEMSELVES IN THOSE LEADERSHIP ROLES.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITY COSTS.

IF YOU ARE THE PRIMARY CARETAKER FOR YOUR CHILDREN, WHO IS GOING TO BE PROVIDING CHILDCARE FOR THEM WHILE YOU ARE LEGISLATING?

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HOPE TO PROVIDE SOME STIPEND AND TO OUR PARTICIPANTS WITH IS TO HELP THEM FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEIR TICKETS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF -- THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF APPROPRIATELY SO THEY CAN BE IN THIS PROGRAM.

OTHER PLACES, THEY DO NOT OFTEN SEE PEOPLE LIKE THEM IN THOSE SPACES AND WE BELIEVE AS WE ARE HELPING MORE WOMEN TO ACHIEVE THESE LEADERSHIP ROLES, NOT ONLY WILL NORMAN REGULARLY SEE THEMSELVES AS A VIABLE CANDIDATE, BUT MEN WILL TOO.

IT WILL BECOME COMMONPLACE.

WE WILL NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS ANYMORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK WITH THE WOMEN'S FUND.

THE JUDGES WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO DELIBERATE AND CHOOSE THE WINNERS AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THEIR DECISION AFTER THIS QUICK BREAK.

>> DO NOT IGNORE YOUR TRUTH.

>> PEOPLE JUST LOVE THE STORY.

>> OH, MY.

♪ JOE: WELCOME BACK TO "SPARKED!"

THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE JUDGES TO ANNOUNCE OUR WINNERS BUT WE ASKED YOU, THE PUBLIC, TO VOTE ON YOUR FAVORITE IDEA AND THE RESULTS ARE IN.

THE WINNER OF $5,000 PRIZE MONEY FOR THE AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD IS KELLY NEVINS AND THE WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND.

THIS IS FOR YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

JUDGES, OVER TO YOU.

>> IN THIRD PLACE WE CHOSE THE SPECTRUM THEATRE ENSEMBLE FOR ITS INNOVATIVE IDEA OF INCLUDING THE NEURO DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] >> THIS WAS SUCH A HARD DECISION.

ALL OF YOU BROUGHT GREAT IDEAS TO THE TABLE.

FOR SECOND PLACE, WE THOUGHT ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE THINKING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY, BRINGING EMPLOYMENT INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND BEING COMPREHENSIVE AROUND THAT APPROACH.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE SECOND PLACE WINNER WHO IS THE COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE, MICHELLE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] >> I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE HONOR TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER TODAY AND I WOULD SAY AT THE OUTSET, MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID THAT THE TWO BEST DAYS IN A PERSON'S LIFE ARE THE DAY THEY ARE BORN AND THE DAY THEY FIGURE OUT WHY.

WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM EACH OF YOU TODAY IS YOU UNDERSTAND THAT PURPOSE AND IT WAS SO APPARENT IN YOUR PRESENTATIONS.

THERE WAS ONE PRESENTATION THAT STOOD OUT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS IDEA OF INNOVATION, THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH OTHER PEOPLE, THE SIMPLICITY AND HOW BROAD THIS TARGET AUDIENCE WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE WORK YOU ARE DOING, THERE AND THAT IS WHAT CHEER FLOWER FARM.

DESTENIE, GREAT JOB TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

JOE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS AND TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT.

INNOVATION HAS BEEN SPARKED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND REMEMBER, BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER OUT THERE.

♪ >> NONPROFITS PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND PLACES IN OUR STATE.

THEY CAN TEACH, ENTERTAIN, AND CARE FOR US.

RECOGNIZING RHODE ISLAND'S NONPROFITS, UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND, AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE GREENHOUSE PROBABLY SPONSORS