The pulse of the Riverside community.
The Riverside Renaissance Movement is driven by the pulse of the community — a collaborative of voices, all echoing the same community pride. We advocate for safety, protection of our natural resources, economic growth through local businesses and the arts, and grassroots involvement.
What we're here to do
The Riverside Renaissance Movement (RRM) is a grassroots collaboration of residents, businesses, organizations, and public officials promoting and enhancing Riverside as a vibrant waterfront community where people want to work, live, visit, and play.
The RRM focuses on advocacy, activities, education, and promotion in four areas:
- Beautification and promotion of the arts
- Community and economic development
- Waterfront, environmental, and recreational resources
- Historical and cultural awareness
At its core, the RRM serves as a forum where community stakeholders come together to collaborate and align efforts for the betterment of the neighborhood and its residents.
An open table, on purpose
The movement runs on a simple idea: put residents, business owners, community organizations, and public officials in the same room, on a predictable schedule, and keep the door open.
A collaborative of voices
We're not a top-down organization — we're a forum where residents, businesses, nonprofits, and officials bring their own concerns and align on solutions together.
Predictable rhythm
RRM holds a monthly meeting at Riverside Congregational Church on the first non-holiday Monday of the month, 6–7:30pm. All are welcome.
A seat at the table
We've been warmly and openly accepted by our city — RRM is now included in the discussions that shape Riverside's future.
From living-room conversations to a seat at the table
Riverside is a small waterfront community of East Providence, defined by the 02915 zip code, with a proud history and no shortage of natural resources. After the Providence & Warren Railroad arrived in the 1850s, the area became a summer destination with resort hotels and amusement parks — once touted as the "Coney Island of New England." Today it's a close-knit, diverse neighborhood still known for its historic carousel, scenic beaches along the Providence River, the last preserved lighthouse on Northern Narragansett Bay, and the East Bay Bike Path, which brings thousands of pedestrians through Riverside Square each summer.
“The pulse of community redevelopment.” How a local newspaper described the RRM, in its early years
The RRM began in 2013 with informal conversations in neighbors' living rooms, sparked by the redevelopment of a former jewelry factory in the heart of Riverside Square. Within its first few years, the RRM's role in community engagement and collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and public officials was already being recognized — including hands-on clean-ups of beaches and parks, and advocacy for public art in and around the Square.
By 2014, membership had grown to around 100 residents and property owners, with the RRM helping organize historical presentations and volunteering for local fairs and festivals. In 2015, with RRM's support, more local organizations began hosting events near Riverside Square — outdoor movies, concerts, and the first East Providence Arts Council Looff Arts Festival at Crescent Park, drawing thousands of visitors. That same year, "advocacy" formally joined the RRM's mission, extending our work into community safety, hunger, waterfront issues, and affordable housing.
Since then, growing grant funding and private donations have brought physical improvements to Riverside Square — new street signs, benches, bike racks, and a decoratively themed bus shelter. Today, the RRM keeps growing in capacity, activities, and membership, while holding to the same mission: promoting and enhancing the sense of community in Riverside through collaboration.
Board members
RRM is run by a volunteer board. Several seats are currently open — if you'd like to serve, we'd love to hear from you.
Jason Rafferty
Director
Open
Deputy Director
Ellen Ordway
Treasurer
Open
Secretary
Will Matthews
Communications Director
Kristen Lund
At Large
Open
At Large
Open
At Large
Interested in an open board seat?
Get in touch — we're happy to talk through what's involved. Our full by-laws are also available on request.
Come see it for yourself.
The best way to understand the movement is to sit in on a meeting.