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Nonviolence Institute and Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island Launch Community Violence Prevention Partnership

Published On: July 17, 2026By
A group of people, including community leaders and children wearing Boys & Girls Club t-shirts, participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in a bright green room.
Children playing and dancing around drums in a brightly lit room with wooden floors, some with painted faces, engaging in a lively activity.
Children sitting around a table in a classroom, focused on drawing and coloring activities, with art supplies scattered across the table.
Young girl with face painted as a bunny, including whiskers and a pink nose, posing playfully in front of a brick wall.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — July 17, 2026 — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island (BGCNRI) and the Nonviolence Institute announced a new partnership today that will bring nationally recognized violence prevention and intervention strategies to Woonsocket, expanding support for youth, families, and the broader community.

The partnership represents a significant investment in community safety and well-being. The Nonviolence Institute will train and employ a Violence Intervention Specialist who will be based at BGCNRI, the Woonsocket Clubhouse (600 Social Street), while serving the broader Woonsocket community. The specialist will provide violence prevention and intervention services, build trusted relationships, connect individuals and families with resources, and help strengthen community safety through collaboration and outreach.

Community members, neighborhood leaders, educators, elected officials, law enforcement, and local organizations are invited to learn more about the partnership during a public announcement and photo opportunity on Friday, July 17, at 12:00 p.m. at World War II Park on Social Street in Woonsocket.

While this collaboration represents an exciting new chapter, its foundation has been years in the making. Six years ago, the tragic loss of Boys & Girls Club member NyAsia Williams-Thomas, an innocent victim of gun violence, deeply affected the entire Woonsocket community. Her death reinforced that preventing violence requires trusted relationships, early intervention, and strong partnerships that address conflict before lives are changed forever.

“In my years of doing this work, one thing has become very clear: preventing violence takes all of us. It takes partnerships, trust, and a shared commitment to showing up for our communities every day,” said Lisa Pina-Warren, Executive Director of the Nonviolence Institute. “We are honored to partner with the Boys & Girls Club and look forward to working together to create safer communities, support those impacted by violence, and give more young people and families hope for the future.”

“Our Club has always been more than a building. It’s a place where young people and families come to learn, grow, and find support,” said Gary Rebelo, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island. Welcoming the Nonviolence Institute into our Club strengthens that commitment by bringing trusted resources even closer to the children and families we serve.”

Chief Thomas Oates III of the Woonsocket Police Department praised the partnership and its collaborative approach to public safety.

“The Woonsocket Police Department has enjoyed a great relationship with the Woonsocket Clubhouse and the work they do with the youth of the city,” said Chief Oates. “It’s great news to learn that they were able to locate funding to partner with the Nonviolence Institute. I have worked with the Institute for years and believe in their mission to mediate conflicts and prevent violence in the community before it happens. I believe they can make a difference and look forward to supporting them in whatever way we can to make Woonsocket a safer community.”

The Violence Intervention Specialist will work collaboratively with community members and organizations to identify needs, respond to conflicts, support individuals and families affected by violence, and connect residents with resources that promote long-term stability and healing. The initiative reflects a shared belief that lasting public safety is achieved not only through enforcement, but through prevention, partnership, and investment in people.

About The Nonviolence Institute

The mission of the Nonviolence Institute is to create, by word and example, a community that uses the principles and practices of nonviolence to prevent, interrupt, and heal violence and to uplift the community.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island provides a safe and supportive environment for young people to reach their full potential. Through a variety of programs and services, we empower youth and build strong communities by focusing on education, health and wellness, and character development.