Impact
Inspired by the efforts and achievements of the many Newporters she interviewed during the filming for NEWPORT: In This Together, Susan Sipprelle, founded RENEWport to facilitate greater connection between nonprofit and business leaders, government officials, and engaged citizens. She and local community leader Ellen Pinnock head the group.
Today, the group has grown to over 70 individuals and has facilitated conversations between community members and Governor Dan McKee, Newport Mayors Charles Holder and Xay Khamsyvoravong, President and CEO of the RI Foundation and Former US Representative David Cicilline, Senior Advisor to Governor McKee Jeremy Chiappetta, and Representative Gabe Amo.
Projects
Caring Pipeline into Newport Public Schools
In partnership with Newport Public Schools and local organizations, RENEWport will develop supports for Pell Elementary School students and families to build community connection and increase student attendance. This project officially launched with community dinners held at Pell Elementary School and continues with the Volunteer Greeter Program.
Newport Together
In April 2025, RENEWport, Salve Regina University, the Rhode Island Foundation and private donors hosted famed political scientist Harvard Professor Robert D. Putnam for a talk on the collapse and revival of the American community. In the several weeks prior to this event, a series of community-based NEWPORT TOGETHER were held.
Daffodils in Miantonomi Park
Newport in Bloom has been planting daffodils around the city since 2012 and publishes a "Daffy Map" in the springtime. There was a marked lack of daffodils in Newport's underserved North End. RENEWport was able to bring together Newport in Bloom, the Miantonomi Park Commission, the City of Newport, and private donors. In spring of 2024, 38,000 daffodils bloomed in the North End of Newport for the first time!