North Kingstown Resident Robert Bowman Begins Providence College Career Volunteering to Improve Rhode Island Communities

2010 Sep 9

Robert Bowman, a resident of North Kingstown, RI, was among 150 students in Providence College's Class of 2014 who spent their first days in Providence participating in the College's 20th annual Urban Action program.

The freshmen and 25 upperclassmen leaders volunteered 2,000 man hours from August 30 to September 1.

Working with members of the City of Providence's Parks Department, the South County Conservancy, and the

upperclassmen leaders from PC, the students performed various tasks in two communities: in Providence at Neutaconkanut Hill Park in the Silver Lake neighborhood, and in Charlestown, R.I., at Cross' Mills Library, Mill Pond, the Nature Conservancy, and at a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Preserve.

The volunteers focused on restoring walking trails, clearing brush, repairing and building pedestrian bridges, and creating outdoor seating areas.

Urban Action was initiated by Providence College students in 1991 with 17 volunteering the first year. Since then, nearly 2,600 freshmen have participated, with many returning each year as leaders. The goal of the program is to provide incoming students with an opportunity to make a positive difference in the community that will be their "home away from home" for the next four years.

In addition to Neutaconkanut Hill Park and the South County Conservancy locations, past sites have included Casey Farm in North Kingstown, R.I., and Merino Park, Sophia Academy, and Roger Williams Park Zoo--all in Providence.