Just minutes from luxury and university campuses in downtown Providence lies a starkly different reality in the city’s North End. Disparities and social service gaps were identified in a recent assessment conducted by the local nonprofit the DaVinci Center for Community Progress.

The assessment also identified what are the most “asked-for” programs named by residents themselves.

Evidence of inequality

Providence is made up of 25 neighborhoods. The North End, which includes Wanskuck and Charles, houses nearly 19,000 people. Once home to factory workers, the area’s social demographics have shifted after years of underinvestment and aging infrastructure. It has become a refuge for vulnerable communities seeking affordable housing, including older adults, people of color, immigrants, and low-income families.

Let’s take a look at the data:

Poverty: Rhode Island’s poverty rate is 10.8%; in Providence, it’s 17.5%. In Wanskuck and Charles, it rises to 33%, according to the 2023 U.S. Census.

Uninsured residents: About 5% of Rhode Islanders are uninsured, compared to 9% in Providence and 12% in Wanskuck and Charles, according to the DaVinci Center.

Eviction rate: The statewide average is 4%, while in North End Providence, it exceeds 7%, according to the DaVinci Center.

Rent burden: About 30% of Rhode Islanders spend more than 30% of their income on housing. In Providence, this number rises to 44%; in Wanskuck and Charles, it is 52%, according to the center.

It is no surprise that this part of the city also experiences safety issues. The DaVinci Center’s assessment revealed that residents reported seeing signs of drug use and violence on the streets, which discouraged them from leaving their homes. Street safety concerns were consistent across all age groups, including youth, adults, and seniors.

Gaps in services

These disparities are not random; they are interconnected and rooted in the Social Determinants of Health: access to housing, education, employment, language, and social services. When these needs remain unmet, the result is not just poor health; it’s a cycle of deepening crisis. And it is precisely the barriers that were identified by residents themselves. Out of 388 survey participants, 50 focus group attendees, and 12 key stakeholder interviews by the DaVinci Center, services related to social determinants of health are prevalent.

Among the most frequently requested services were:

Youth programs: after-school support, career exploration, internships, safe spaces for teen socialization, programs to address mental health and bullying in schools, and technology training (including AI and digital literacy).

Seniors’ programs: social activities to reduce isolation, health and wellness checks and services, home visits, access to dental care, technology and digital literacy classes to access digital health services, and reliable transportation.

Family support: counseling, referrals, parenting classes, culturally sensitive outreach, English language classes, financial literacy workshops, family-strengthening initiatives, workforce development.

Basic needs: access to food, hygiene products, diapers, and personal-care services.

“These findings aren’t just data for us — they tell the stories of our neighbors and serve as a guide for action,” said Norma Gonzalez, executive director of the DaVinci Center. “For example, [the assessment] showed that transportation issues are widespread, and most preventive-care facilities are not within walking distance of many residents. We all understand the importance of preventive care at any age, and it is especially crucial for older adults. The DaVinci Center is now exploring ways to offer on-site health-related programs.”

The DaVinci Center is the only community center in the neighborhood. Its current focus is providing food-related services to senior residents. The assessment showed that it carries the responsibility to increase services provided and to advocate for the community.

“We have to break this cycle of trauma and neglect,” Gonzalez said. “But we can’t do it by ourselves. We need our leaders to act now and develop a community plan that is actionable and sustainable.”

There is a gap in addressing the Social Determinants of Health in neighborhoods like the North End of Providence. Even more concerning is the absence of sustained, long-term policies to support essential infrastructure — neighborhood centers, job readiness programs, and access to health services.

It is worth emphasizing that all residents of Rhode Island, regardless of zip code, deserve access to nutritious food, stable housing, preventive care, and opportunities across generations. We hope that our leaders will pay attention not only to new research in academia or downtown development, but also to neighborhoods like the North End of Providence. After all, policies are not just plans; they are commitments to dignity, equity, and the future of our communities.

Anzhela Kalsynova is an MPH/MPA candidate at Brown University and an intern at the DaVinci Center for Community Progress.