Carla DeStefano

SWAP turning 50 was a milestone none of its founders considered when their sole goal was to save houses from burning and blighting their Providence neighborhoods.  Though I was not part of the founding group, I have come to know many of them over my time as the Executive Director.  I can imagine them sitting with Berta Phillips, the credited founder, at the end of her bed after a long day, plotting and planning how to accomplish their goal.  

Perseverance and tenacity are the words I would use to describe everyone who entered the SWAP orbit to volunteer or work since its founding.  They all put in the effort required to make a difference… and kept pushing forward even though it’s hard and the challenges seem never-ending.

50 years later, we may not be saving burning houses any longer, but we are doing our best to address the burning issue of creating housing that is affordable for all.

Thank you to the Founders, all the Volunteers, and all who have worked here along the way and are working here today.