Westbay Community Action makes move to Jefferson Boulevard

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 3/5/20

By JOHN HOWELL "e;Sometimes things happen for a reason."e; That's how Paul Salera looks at the way events have turned out for Westbay Community Action, which opened its new offices at what was formerly part of the Citizens Bank call center at 487 Jefferson

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Westbay Community Action makes move to Jefferson Boulevard

Posted

“Sometimes things happen for a reason.”

That’s how Paul Salera looks at the way events have turned out for Westbay Community Action, which opened its new offices at what was formerly part of the Citizens Bank call center at 487 Jefferson Blvd.

With the exception of the Westbay Marketplace that will open at the Jefferson Boulevard location on March 20, all of the Community Action offices at the Buttonwoods Plaza have been relocated to the larger facility – which is on a bus stop and, as Salera points out, offers oceans of parking.

Finding such a good fit for the agency that annually serves almost 20,000 people, with more than 14,000 Warwick residents, was hardly a smooth road.

Initially, Westbay had its sights set on the former Randall Holden School in Hoxsie, a plan that Mayor Joseph Solomon supported as it would have put to use a city property while generating revenue and keeping the agency in the city. Westbay held an informational meeting with neighbors, and despite assurances that the school wouldn’t serve as a homeless shelter or operate on nights or weekends, the plan met strong resistance.

Appreciative of the support received from the administration, Salera said at the time he didn’t want to put the mayor and the City Council in an awkward situation and that he would seek to find another location.

The new home, built as offices and not the retail storefronts of Buttonwoods Plaza, is 19,000 square feet – or approximately 5,000 square feet larger than Buttonwoods.

To accommodate Westbay Marketplace, a large room has been subdivided to segregate food storage and refrigeration from the market-like area with food displays and a counter. Salera said the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is providing all new shelving for the market, and to avoid closing down the market the new market will open before the current one closes. The marketplace serves 1,200 people per month, Salera said.

While the economy may look good to many and employment is high, Salera said there are a segment of low-wage earners and “working poor” who have difficulty making ends meet. Based on a wage of $20 an hour and an apartment rental of $1,500 a month, he said it takes two weeks to earn the rent without calculating the cost of food and a multitude of other expenses.

Salera also pointed to the impact the agency has on local business. He said some people view the agency as taking from the community, whereas just in heating fuel assistance and food vouchers Westbay is pumping $4 million into the local economy.

“That’s money we’re giving back to the economy,” he said.

Solomon welcomed the Westbay staff that gathered in an open space to hear him speak and looked on as he snipped a red ribbon to declare the new digs officially open.

“Westbay has been serving residents of our community for close to 55 years, and the programs and services they provide are so important to our shared efforts to ensure that Warwick’s vulnerable residents have what they need to live fulfilling and productive lives. The clients they serve are our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members who live in and contribute to our community,” the mayor said in a statement.

Westbay’s LiHEAP (Heating Assistance Program), Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Weatherization and Home Maintenance Program, all case management programs, its Lead Center, all senior services, Rental Assistance, Intake services, Senior Nutrition, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Community Services, and RI Works Support Program are now operating at Jefferson Boulevard. Westbay Early Childhood Center, located on Astral Street, is not part of the move.

Salera estimated the move and renovations necessary to accommodate the Marketplace cost the agency about $40,000. He noted that the landlord permitted them to enter the space well in advance to the move at no charge. The office houses about 60 employees.

Salera said the state Department of Human Services is looking at adjoining space in the same building. He is hopeful that will occur, as it would provide a “one stop” venue for many people needing services from both agencies. Salera said WestBay signed a 17-year lease for the property.

“We wanted to demonstrate that we’re here to stay,” he said.

He put monthly rental costs at $17,000.

Comments

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  • Apple_martinis

    8 out of the 10 in the last photo are morbidly obese. Why is everyone so heavy these days?

    Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this

  • Apple_martinis

    What stands out to you in the last photo?

    Thursday, March 5, 2020 Report this

  • BeKind

    What stands out to me is a less-than-flattering photo angle and an amazing group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to make sure that people who need help get it. Everyone has a struggle in life.... maybe for some it's balancing a checkbook and for others it's whether or not to have another piece of cake. Que sera sera.

    Friday, March 6, 2020 Report this

  • thepilgrim

    Westbay Marketplace is an effort taken from the Soviet Politburo. Salera even says it “is giving money back to the economy”. And he says this as agendas like Westbay Marketplace have crippled the economy.

    Saturday, March 7, 2020 Report this

  • Cat2222

    Obesity Epidemic?

    So what is your opinion on the contents of the article? Isn't that why someone comes to the comment section of the Beacon? Or is it just so you can sit at your computer feeling superior when no one can see a picture of you? Let's stay on topic, shall we?

    Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Report this