Providence Council thanks Da Vinci Center and Better Lives Rhode Island for emergency warming shelter

The Providence City Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing gratitude to the Da Vinci Center and Better Lives Rhode Island for their roles in operating an emergency warming shelter during a recent polar vortex.

The council read the resolution into the record and members praised the organizations for providing shelter and services when existing code-blue warming sites were insufficient. The resolution cites that the Da Vinci Center opened its doors as an overnight emergency warming shelter and that staff from Better Lives Rhode Island provided critical, specialized support for 12 hours each day while volunteers staffed the site.

Council members said the shelter provided warm, safe space and lifesaving assistance; the resolution notes the center sheltered as many as 50 people in a single night. The text read into the record thanks the leadership of Norma Gonzalez at the Da Vinci Center and Paula Hudson at Better Lives Rhode Island and expresses the council’s “deep gratitude” to staff and dozens of community volunteers.

Several council members used the chamber’s personal-expression time to praise the organizations and urged the city to convert gratitude into resources, arguing the groups could do more with stable funding. One council member said the city should ensure these organizations are “not just recognized for the incredible miracles out of scarcity” but supported with resources; another thanked council colleagues who kept council chambers open as a place of warmth that night.

The resolution was adopted by voice vote. Council members announced they would present citations and take photos with Da Vinci Center and Better Lives staff after the meeting.