Pawtucket Resident Named Public Service Awardee by East Bay Non-profit

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is pleased to announce that Pawtucket resident Nadine Tavares, Lead Project Officer, Rhode Island Department of Health, Health Equity Zone Initiative, is the recipient of EBCAP’s 2026 Public Service Award. She will be recognized for her exemplary dedication to the public good at EBCAP’s 21^st Annual Seaside Gala, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Wyndham Newport Hotel.

Tavares is being honored for her years of support and partnership with the Bristol, East Providence, and Warren Health Equity Zones (HEZs), for which EBCAP serves as the backbone agency. Over the years, her leadership and guidance have helped strengthen communities across Rhode Island.

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“Nadine has been an invaluable partner to the Bristol, East Providence, and Warren HEZs over the past five years,” said Rita Capotosto, Vice President of Family Development at EBCAP. “She brings not only deep knowledge and strategic insight to this work, but also a genuine sense of compassion and commitment to the communities we serve. Nadine understands that improving community health means addressing root causes that shape people’s lives, and she consistently encourages our team to think beyond immediate needs toward lasting systems change. Whether she is sharing best practices, supporting our teams, participating in community events, or simply taking the time to listen, Nadine leads with authenticity and care. Her thoughtful guidance and unwavering support have made a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”

The agency will also be honoring community members and organizations with EBCAP 2026 Vision Awards. These recipients include Ed and Lyn Cameron, of Portsmouth, RI, who are being recognized for their volunteer work with EBCAP’s AmeriCorps Seniors Program; Conexión Latina Newport, for its longstanding partnership with EBCAP programs including Head Start, Education & Career Pathways, and Baby Steps as well as its commitment to supporting families on their paths to self-sufficiency; Middletown Public Schools for its commitment to supporting children and families through its partnership with EBCAP’s Middletown Child Opportunity Zone, a collaboration that has expanded access to Out of School Time academic and enrichment programs and strengthened critical support services for the community; and Phanida Phivilay, Manager of Community Outreach at UnitedHealthcare, for her outstanding commitment to EBCAP and the broader community through both her professional work as an employee of UnitedHealthcare and her personal dedication to service as a food pantry volunteer at EBCAP.

The Premier Sponsor for EBCAP’s 21^st Annual Seaside Gala is Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. The event will feature an online auction with a wide variety of items including dining experiences, hotel stays, family activities, sports tickets, and more. Auction items are available for preview at www.biddingforgood.com/EBCAP.The top auction item is a seven-day Holland America Line Cruise for two people to either Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada/New England. The auction opens for bidding on May 28 and closes on June 11. All are welcome to register and bid. Additional event details and online ticket sales can be found at on EBCAP's website.

East Bay Community Action Program is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that provides a wide array of health and human services to the residents of Rhode Island’s East Bay, including the municipalities of Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Warren.

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