POC Foundation

05/28/2026

You asked for it!

Meet the 2026 Transform Rhode Island Scholarship winner, Rio VieiraSpears from The Met High School, Providence and Newport, RI! In addition to being awarded a $25,000 scholarship, POC will invest $1 Million towards Rio’s big idea to create a program that places high school students at senior centers and housing authorities. The goal is to help seniors by teaching technology workshops and building intergenerational relationships.

Congratulations Rio! We can’t wait to get started :)

05/26/2026

There's something powerful about a table full of groceries and a line of neighbors who know help is on the way.

The Elisha Project held their Mother’s Day Share Market and members of our POC team were on site to help distribute food and personal care items to over 500 Rhode Island families.

We are so grateful to partner with an organization that shows up week after week to serve our neighbors with such dedication and compassion. POC is honored to stand alongside the ELISHA Project in this vital work!

05/22/2026

Today we're putting the spotlight on Brotherhood in Wellness! This community summit on men's health will be hosted by POC grantee Jammat Housing & Community Development Corp. Taking place on June 27, 10 AM to 2 PM at the Black Box Theatre at The Met High School in Providence, this event aims to create an affirming space for men to engage honestly with their health and leave with practical tools and community connection.

The program features a keynote from Dr. Malik Yoba, actor, community advocate, and Founder/CEO of Yoba Development, who has spent over four decades working with young people across schools, prisons, and community organizations. Following the keynote, there will be a panel led by mental health professionals and community leaders. The morning concludes with a Lunch & Barbershop Talk: an intentionally relaxed space for real conversation.

Get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/brotherhood-in-wellness

Real talk. Real community. Real healing. Philanthropist, actor, and community advocate Dr. Malik Yoba sets the tone as our keynote speaker at Brotherhood in Wellness. We're excited to create a space for men to show up authentically, hear from experts, and leave with tools and connection they can carry forward.

Join us June 27, 10 AM – 2 PM at The Black Box Theatre on the campus of The Met High School in Providence. Space is limited! Get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/brotherhood-in-wellness. We hope to see you there!

Kobi Dennis

05/21/2026

Papitto Opportunity Connection was proud to support the 2026 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook. This annual report offers a community-by-community look at the well-being of Rhode Island's children, covering economic security, health, safety, and education. From child poverty and housing instability to mental health access and school readiness, the data paints a detailed picture of where kids in our state are thriving and where more support is needed.

To read the full report, visit: https://rikidscount.org/factbook/

Photos Courtesy of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

05/20/2026

Wrapping up the TRIS Class of 2026 is Evan Perez, a senior at The Met High School, Providence and Newport, RI!!

Evan’s big idea is The Mobile Foundry, a box truck that brings a professional creative studio to students that incorporates and educates on AI.

Congratulations Evan!!!

05/19/2026

We had so much fun celebrating Ella Kauffman at East Greenwich High School! Ella's big idea is to create a statewide music mentorship program where musicians can learn and grow together.

Congratulations Ella!!

Stay tuned! The TRIS Class of 2026 still has one more finalist to be revealed!!!

05/19/2026

“Central Falls holds a special place in my heart, and I want to start by saying what I believe deeply. This is a city of extraordinary people, and every child growing up here deserves every opportunity to thrive,” said POC Founder Barbara Papitto. “Today, I am proud to announce the Papitto Opportunity Connection is investing $1 million in the SMART® FAITH works Health and Wellness Institute.”

The SMART® Clinic model is a nationally recognized, school-based health program designed to boost academic achievement by identifying and removing barriers to classroom success.

Learn more about POC's $1 million Innovation Challenge Grant here: https://pocfoundation.com/papitto-opportunity-connection-awards-1-million-innovation-grant-to-increase-access-to-healthcare-for-central-falls-students-and-families/

05/15/2026

Rhode Island, meet your next TRIS Finalist! Snigdha "Sniggy" Kethineni from Lincoln High School is dreaming big with her idea to provide menstrual care and education for women around the state. We are so proud to celebrate young leaders who are ready to make a real difference in their communities. Congratulations, Sniggy!

05/14/2026

Sheila "Skip" Nowell Academy was a blast – their energy was off the roof! Today we’re celebrating Leydi, whose big idea proposes building clean, accessible restrooms in parks across Rhode Island.

Congratulations, Leydi!

Can YOU guess the next school?

05/14/2026

Powerful and declarative 16 years. Countless barriers have been broken; infinite doors have opened.

That is what the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) looks like.

RIBBA recently marked a major milestone with its Annual Meeting, "The Rhode Forward: Anchored in Resilience", celebrating 16 years of expanding equitable opportunities across our state.

The impact speaks for itself: 1,700 businesses served, 3,000+ jobs created, $2.3 million in capital secured and over $100,000 in scholarships awarded to students and young entrepreneurs.

POC is proud to support an organization that doesn't just talk about change; it builds it, person by person, business by business, family by family.

Here's to the “Rhode Forward!”