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Nonprofits win big $$$ to serve Newport County residents – Newport Buzz
Nearly $340,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation will be distributed among dozens of nonprofit organizations serving Newport County residents. The funding aims to support a diverse array of programs, ranging from educational initiatives for schoolchildren and disaster recovery preparation to food pantries and arts activities.
“We are grateful to be able to help these organizations carry out their crucial work,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are fortunate to partner with passionate donors who make it possible for us to support nonprofits that are on the frontlines of serving the needs of their communities.”
The announcement, made Monday afternoon at the Newport County YMCA, gathered about 50 attendees. Among the 44 organizations receiving funding from the Foundation’s Newport County Fund are the YMCA, East Bay Community Action Program, and the Jamestown Arts Center.
The Newport County YMCA in Middletown was awarded $5,000 to support RhodySquash, an after-school program for middle school students that combines squash instruction with mentorship, tutoring, and character-building opportunities.
“The focus is on recruiting rising 5th graders who would otherwise be unable to access this program due to family financial constraints,” said Mike Miller, the Y’s CEO. “Through this program and with the support of funders, at-risk youth develop new skills and make connections that allow for a healthier and brighter future. In a community where after-school programs are lacking and often costly, RhodySquash provides a safe place for kids to play, learn, and thrive at no cost to families who need financial assistance.”
The East Bay Community Action Program in Newport received $10,000 for its Baby Steps program, which provides family education sessions and enrichment activities to engage family members as partners in the education of children through age four.
“Parents and caregivers are the most instrumental people in a child’s life, so developing effective parenting skills is vital,” said Rilwan Feyisitan Jr., president and CEO. “By promoting positive relationships and enhancing engagement, we can better prepare children and their families for the future.”
The Jamestown Arts Center was awarded $10,000 to support its Arts Experiences program, which offers a year-long series of free arts experiences, including artist-led workshops, Family Days, and public outdoor artworks. More than 500 Newport County residents are expected to participate in at least one of the activities.
“Our Arts Experience Initiatives open doors to creative expression and learning for all Newport County residents, particularly children and families,” said Christine Cocca, executive director. “By removing barriers and showcasing our many voices, we aim to foster a more inclusive and vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to engage with arts experiences of the highest caliber.”
Other recipients include Aquidneck Community Table, the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County, Conexion Latina Newport, FabNewport, Girl Scouts of Southeast New England, Jamestown Food Pantry, Katie Brown Educational Program, Little Compton Community Center, Live and Learn in Jamestown, Lucy’s Hearth, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Newport Contemporary Ballet, newportFILM, Newport String Project, Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, Sail Newport, St. John’s Lodge Food Bank, St. Lucy’s Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Turning Around Ministries, and Washington Square Services Corporation.
The Newport County Fund awards grants of up to $10,000 to strengthen or expand established programs, support policy or advocacy efforts on behalf of community concerns, fund new projects addressing significant problems or opportunities, and leverage strategic collaborations and partnerships. An advisory committee comprised of residents from every community in Newport County assists in the funding decisions.
Established in 2002, the Fund has awarded over $6 million in grants for programs and services for residents of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, and Tiverton. It is one of the grant programs that enable the Foundation to serve Newport County communities. Since 2022, the Foundation has awarded more than $10.9 million in grants to Newport County nonprofits.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island, working through civic leadership, fundraising, and grant-making activities to improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.
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Video: Lincoln celebrates its softball championship win over Ponaganset
WATCH: Lincoln celebrates its softball championship win over Ponaganset
PROVIDENCE – The result was so obvious, everyone should have seen it coming.
That’s because Hailey Vigneau doesn’t lose big games.
The La Salle softball team might have been hammered by Chariho during their regular season matchups, but none of that mattered in the postseason. The state’s seen plenty of big-time pitchers, but none that have won like Vigneau. Saturday’s championship game against Chariho only added to her legacy, as she took care of things in the circle, Nikki Pallotta led the offense and the 5-2 win gave the Rams their fourth straight state title.
“We just know how hard we work,” Vigneau said. “We know we have each other. We know how supportive of each other we are. We just know that our team, in the end, will come out on top.”
Softball pitchers are supposed to strike fear with fastballs and sit batters down faster than they can get up to plate. You won’t find many teams that say they’re afraid of Vigneau, but you also won’t find any teams that have beaten her in a game that matters most.
The La Salle senior – who will pitch at Marist next spring – didn’t look bothered by the magnitude of the game she was pitching. If Chariho beat the Rams – which it had done twice this season – that meant an if-game where momentum would be on the Chargers side.
It seemed like a possibility, provided you ignored the fact that Vigneau has never lost a playoff game and wasn’t about to start in her senior season.
Vigneau made one mistake pitch that Adriana Jeannenot hit to outer space, a two-run blast that tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. She took the ball from the umpire, then retired the next batter to end the inning and get her offense on the field.
“I just have to focus on the next one. I can’t dwell on it,” said Vigneau, who gave up four hits and walked two while striking out eight. “Now I can reflect on it, fix what I know I messed up on.
“I didn’t even look. I didn’t turn my head.”
The bats went out and supported their ace. Pallotta had the go-ahead hit, a two-run double that scored Izzy Dong and Samantha Sell. While Pallotta and the Rams struggled to hit Jeannenot in clutch moments in the regular season, it was clear they figured something out.
“Their pitcher is really good and she shut us down in the first game,” said Pallotta, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs Saturday. “In the second game we started to pick up some hits, we started to learn a lot.
“We were lucky enough to play them twice, we got a lot of data off of that and so when we came into RIC … we had a lot of information and we used it.”
Armed with a 5-2 lead, Vigneau took care of things. The home run was a distant memory and when Alaina Valuk led off the fifth with a single, Vigneau barely noticed. She was in control and remained calm, right up until the final out was recorded, ending her career with a fourth straight title celebration.
“I just pitch one pitch at a time, no matter what the situation is in the game,” Vigneau said. “I can’t focus too much on the big win ahead, just one pitch at a time.”
Chariho was emotional after the loss and why wouldn’t it be? The Chargers entered the season with so much promise, finally got over the hump of beating La Salle and then did it twice in this spring.
But the two playoff losses – Saturday as well as the winners’ bracket final – showed that Chariho still has some work to do to in order to get that title the program wants. The loss will only help inspire the Chargers to keep chasing it next season.
“We had a phenomenal season. I’ve never been more proud of this team,” Jeannenot said. “… It definitely pushes us to go for even bigger things. This year our main thing was to beat La Salle, now I feel like we can have even bigger goals and we can have more success.”
This was supposed to be the year La Salle lost. The Rams graduated all that offensive talent, there’s no way they can overpower teams anymore.
Turns out La Salle didn’t need to. It had a secret weapon who shouldn’t have been so secret and closes her career as the most clutch pitcher Rhode Island has ever seen.
“Without her we probably wouldn’t be here at all,” Pallotta said. “She’s been the ace for the last four years and she always comes up when we need her and she shuts them down.”
“I just enjoyed my time with the girls. Whatever happens, happens, but we just work hard and have fun,” Vigneau said. “I couldn’t have imagined this whatsoever.”
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) – Police in Cumberland are investigating what officials are classifying at this time as a suspicious death.
Investigators have been on the scene at 46 E Barrow St. all day, with detectives in and out of the home.
The Rhode Island State Police sent their mobile crime lab to the scene. The entire house is taped off.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as we work to gather more information.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Watch: Chariho softball beats North Kingstown to reach title game
Watch as Chariho softball beats North Kingstown to reach state title game.
Super Saturday has arrived.
Today is the busiest day of the 2026 RIIL spring sports schedule, with championships being play at Rhode Island College and Brown University. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball and track and field athletes will all be chasing gold.
It’s a lot of keep track of, so here’s a handy schedule of the day’s events to keep your head from spinning.
High School Schedule – June 6
⚾BASEBALL – State Championship Game 2
No. 1 Hendricken vs. No. 3 East Providence at Rhode Island College, 12 p.m.
⚾BASEBALL – D-II Championship Game 1
No. 2 West Warwick vs. No. 1 East Greenwich at Rhode Island College, 4 p.m.
🥎SOFTBALL – D-I Championship Game
No. 2 Chariho vs. No. 1 La Salle at Rhode Island College, 5:30 p.m.
🥎SOFTBALL – D-II Championship
No. 7 Ponaganset vs. No. 1 Lincoln at Rhode Island College, 7:30 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – State Championship
No. 1 La Salle vs. No. 2 Moses Brown at Brown University, 11 a.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-II Championship
No. 1 Westerly vs. No. 3 Portsmouth at Brown University, 1:30 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-III Championship
No. 1 Mt. Hope vs. No. 3 Lincoln at Brown University, 4 p.m.
🥍BOYS LACROSSE – D-IV Championship
No. 1 Scituate vs. No. 2 Rogers at Brown University, 6 p.m.
🏃Track and Field
RIIL Boys State Championship Meet at Brown University, 11 a.m.
RIIL Girls State Championship Meet at Brown University, 11 a.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – State Championship
No. 1 La Salle vs. No. 2 Hendricken, 5 p.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – D-II Championship
No. 1 West Warwick vs. No. 2 Westerly at Rhode Island College, 2:30 p.m.
🏐BOYS VOLLEYBALL – D-III Championship
No. 1 Mt. Hope vs. No. 3 Exeter-West Greenwich, 12 p.m.
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