Elizabeth Cunha saw the charitable landscape and wanted to find a different way of getting the message across.
She appears to have found that vehicle.
The Executive Director of The Center for Dynamic Learning in South Providence has devised a month-long event devoted to raising funds for seven non-profit organizations (including hers) who may not otherwise get the notoriety of the larger charities.
Called, “Lights on, Plates Full,” the initiative will pair seven restaurants located in Track 15 in Downtown Providence with seven nonprofits. Each chef will create a signature dish for patrons to order. $1 from each signature dish order will be donated to its charitable partner. The event runs from October 1-31. Other events are being planned throughout that month.
The seven non-profit organizations and the restaurants that are partnering with them are:
Center for Dynamic Learning: Dolores
The Academy Players of Rhode Island: Dune Brothers. The Academy Players of RI Arts Education Program stands as a cornerstone of its mission and a true source of pride, offering a rich and inclusive array of learning opportunities for participants of all ages and experience levels.
Trades Up Initiative: There There. Founded in 2023, TradesUp Initiative was created to address the growing workforce gap in the construction and skilled trades industries while expanding access to sustainable career pathways for underserved and marginalized youth.
The Empowerment Factory: Yagi PVD. The Empowerment Factory (TEF) is dedicated to giving children the skills they need to lead happier, healthier, more empowered lives.
Pray for Peace: Tolia. With a mission to better prepare student-athletes for the highest level of competition. We offer tournaments and camps where will players don’t just play games. Every event they host is an opportunity to teach, break down the game for players, share knowledge and experiences. Since starting in 2015 they have expanded their events in eight states.
Providence Promise: Little Chaska. Providence Promise promotes high educational aspirations and more equitable opportunities for Providence Public School and Charter School students by advocating for college savings accounts and family engagement, increasing financial literacy, and reducing the financial burden of higher education.
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island: Grumpy Pies. Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) invests in women and girls through research, advocacy, grant making and strategic partnerships designed to achieve gender equity through systemic change.
Cunha said they are hosting three events during that month to boost awareness. On October 1, they are holding its “First Bite” event from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Invited guests will join in the festivities in kicking off the event. Admission to this event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have a chance to purchase the signature items as well.
On October 13, there will be a “Dine Out” event from 5:00-8:30 PM. The public can order items from the participating restaurants to raise more funds.
Finally, their “Lights On After School” takes place on October 22 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. This is tied to a national celebration across the country. The seven organizations will share their stories and their respective missions. Cunha said it will spread the word about these organizations and what they mean to them.
Elizabeth wants to get the word out about this event for two reasons. First, she wants the public to be aware of this and support these causes. Second, she is appealing to the business community for assistance. Elizabeth seeks area companies who want to help sponsor the events. For individuals, they can either volunteer, donate to one of the many causes, and/or spread the word on the social media channels.
The Center for Dynamic Learning was founded in 2003 as Traveling Theatre, an arts enrichment organization whose teaching artists traveled from school to school providing artistic experiences for youth. As the company grew, Founder Beth Cunha was able to realize her ultimate goal of a youth serving arts and sciences enrichment organization. To date, CDL has served over 10,000 children and teens from Westerly to Woonsocket.
“We teach beyond the classroom so they’ll reach beyond the classroom,” Cunha added.
For more details about the event or regarding The Center for Dynamic Learning, please contact Elizabeth Cunha at 401-749-9810/cell, 401-461-1813, ext., 102, or beth@cdlri.org. More details can also be obtained by visiting www.cdlri.org or at www.track15ri.com.