PROVIDENCE — Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., kicked off the 21st season of the Keep the Heat On diocesan heating assistance program on November 25, by presenting grants for $2,500 each to two organizations to help meet the heating assistance needs of clients who have difficulties accessing help due to cultural or language barriers in the Capital City and Newport.
Oasis International, the first recipient, is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization serving the African immigrant community and the low-income neighborhoods of West End, Elmwood, Upper Southwest Providence, Lower Southwest Providence and Washington Park. It was founded as an effort to identify and maintain an infrastructure for professional development for its members.
“Through the exchange of technical information, general business assistance, and the promotion of cultural activities, we are dedicated to long-term social exchange and cultural and economic development in our neighborhoods,” Oasis International Executive Director Muraina “Morris” Akinfolarin said of his organization’s mission.
Conexión Latina Newport, which also received a grant for $2,500, was established to support the needs of the Hispanic/Latino community by creating connections and partnerships with resources and advocacy and creating pathways to increase access and representation throughout the city of Newport.
“We are going to distribute it to the members, who are in high need right now, because they are not allowed to have access to programs such as Keep the Heat On. There are different reasons why they can’t have access to those services,” said Conexión Latina Newport Associate Director and Co-Founder Yolanda Macias.
Bishop Lewandowski encouraged the grant recipients to assist as many people as possible with the resources granted to them.
“We don’t turn a cold shoulder on people who are cold. We want to make sure people keep warm,” he said.
The bishop thanked Akinfolarin and Macias for all they are doing in the respective communities, for their support of families in need and for their missions to help improve people’s lives.
“We are all of the same goal, the same purpose: we want people to live happy, healthy and holy lives, and we’re working together so you can do that. Thank you for all that you do,” the bishop said.
James R. Jahnz, secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministry, cited language and cultural barriers as two of those reasons that some in underserved communities cannot access resources such as heating assistance.
“It’s the people who are at the ground level in neighborhoods who many times are unaware that there are assistance programs out there or can’t access them and there are different reasons why those barriers are there.”
Jahnz said that the lingering effects of the recent government shutdown catapulted Keep the Heat On to ramp up assistance two weeks in advance of this season’s kickoff.
“We opened our program early, without fanfare, and still helped more than 100 households. That tells you the particular need that exists this heating season,” Jahnz said.
The diocese has already dispersed more than $30,000 in assistance since the shutdown froze assistance grants to consumers in need from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
“We’re fortunate to be able to work with partners like Oasis and Conexion Latina that have the connections in the community that we may not be able to get into to make sure that houses and families and apartments are warm.”
Keep the Heat On, which celebrated its 20th anniversary on October 31, 2025, is entering its 21st year, and continues to provide heating assistance to Rhode Islanders who have exhausted all other public and private forms of assistance. Since the beginning of the program, Keep the Heat On has contributed more than $4.6 million of heating assistance to 18,452 Rhode Island families and individuals to help keep warm during the winter.
If you or someone you know needs help this winter, visit www.HeatRI.com or call 401-421-7833.
Donations to support this vital effort are also accepted at www.HeatRI.com.
