Providence House

As Director of Supportive Housing Programs, Yuberkis Vargas, shared, creating a community where residents feel valued, respected, and free to express themselves is a year-round commitment at Providence House.

That commitment comes to life through programs that celebrate individuality and foster belonging. Residents participated in our "Tie-Dye Palooza," creating colorful, vibrant t-shirts that reflected their creativity, personality, and self-expression. This year, we will continue that work through wellness and self-care groups focused on self-acceptance, empowerment, and holistic well-being.

"Our staff encourages free expression and diversity whether its style of clothing, fun hair colors, expression via music, or even just conversation/education. I believe it’s important to ensure our clients feel valued, respected and treated with fairness and equality." - Yuberkis Vargas, Director of Supportive Housing Programs

Today, Providence House joined advocates and community members at City Hall to call for the closure of Rikers and greater investment in community-based solutions.

Our Women's Justice Program Outreach Coordinator, Samantha Becarra, spoke about why this investment matters. Drawing from her work alongside women navigating reentry, Samantha shared that every tragedy behind the walls of Rikers is a reminder that incarceration alone cannot address the realities of mental health challenges, housing instability, poverty, and trauma.

Through her work with women rebuilding their lives, Samantha sees firsthand that stable housing, supportive services, and community care create real opportunities for lasting change. Her message was clear: investing in people and communities is essential to building a safer, more just future.

We are proud to stand alongside our community members in advocating for a future where every person has access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

For nearly three years, Lydia experienced homelessness. She also spent ten months at Rikers Island. Then, the opportunities she found at Providence House changed everything.
At Providence House, Lydia found community, confidence, and the chance to begin imagining a different future. Today, she’s building a new chapter in her own apartment, carrying with her a simple but powerful message: “Embrace the journey.”
Her story is a reminder that healing doesn’t happen overnight. Stability takes support. And second chances grow when communities choose to invest in people beyond their hardest moments.

Read Lydia’s full story at the link: https://www.providencehouse.org/providence-house-blog/embrace-the-journey-lydias-story-of-hope-and-healinghttps://www.providencehouse.org/providence-house-blog/embrace-the-journey-lydias-story-of-hope-and-healing

We’re excited to welcome Alicia Sweeney as the new Senior Director of Programs at Providence House. Alicia brings years of supportive housing experience, a deep commitment to trauma-informed and holistic care, and a strong belief in investing in her staff and the residents she serves.

What makes Alicia’s leadership especially exciting is her focus on connection, she looks towards strengthening support systems, and building a people-centered culture across all Providence House sites. In her first weeks, Alicia has already been inspired by the resilience of our residents and the dedication of our staff. Her vision for the future stems from commitment to community care, collaboration, and meaningful support for women and families.

We’re grateful to have Alicia helping shape this next chapter with us.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Together We Thrive at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Friends, supporters, staff, and residents came together to share stories, honor the realities of navigating life as women and gender-expansive people, and reflect on what it means to support one another with intention.
We’re especially grateful to those who donated tickets so Providence House residents and staff could be part of the evening.
Guided by the wisdom of Rita Taddonio, the night reminded us that even small acts of care matter. We were especially moved by reflections from former board members Afi Turner-Meyers and Blanche Wright on the lasting impact of showing up for one another.
Thank you for helping make this gathering so warm, thoughtful, and uplifting.

Every family has a story worth telling.

Through our partnership with Art Start at Glenmore, residents had the chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated—some for the very first time through a family portrait. These moments go beyond photographs, and as they capture resilience, joy, and the power of starting anew.

From families building new beginnings to parents creating lasting memories for their children, each image holds a story of strength and love. As one resident shared, “I want my children to know that their mom is resilient.”

We’re honored to help create a space where stories can be told and identities can be preserved, one portrait at a time. 💛 Stay tuned for a deeper recap of the day on our community check-in next week, subscribe to our blog to never miss a post!

https://www.providencehouse.org/providence-house-blog

With deep gratitude and a clear vision for the future, we’re writing to share an important leadership transition at Providence House.

After years of transformative service, Danielle Minelli Pagnotta will be stepping down from her role as Executive Director. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership she has brought to Providence House. During her tenure, our organization has expanded to have a greater impact in the Brooklyn community—making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the women and families we serve.

We are pleased to share that Rita Taddonio, our Chief Program Officer, will step into the role of Interim Executive Director. The Board of Directors remains committed to a seamless transition, and plans to employ a thoughtful and comprehensive process as we look ahead.

Thank you, as always, to our supporters for your continued support and partnership in serving our community.

We've added more slots for anyone interested in running for Providence House in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon! The application deadline is soon approaching, but there's still time to join. Sign up at the link to help us raise funds for our community of women and families through the transformative power of running. 🏃🏾‍♀️💨

Click here:
providencehouse.org/nycmarathon26

We’ve started a book club at our Bishop supportive housing site, and it’s been such a meaningful experience! 📚

So far, we’ve been reading short stories and fables (like Aesop’s) that explore themes like life lessons, values, and personal growth. After each reading, we come together to reflect, share, and connect the stories to our own experiences—it's been a great way to spark conversation and build community.

We’d love your recommendations! 💬
What are some short stories, fables, or easy-to-digest reads that explore themes like resilience, decision-making, personal growth, or life lessons?
Bonus if they’re engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible for a group setting.
Drop your suggestions below—we’re excited to grow our reading list! 👇