Here to Listen. Here to Help.

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to listening and working together with non-profit organizations supporting diversity, equity and inclusion to empower and create individual success stories by investing in education, job skills training and entrepreneurial ventures.

Rhode Island is a state of 1-million people, and because of our size, we have a unique opportunity to accomplish our goals through aggressively funding unique and sometimes out-of-the-box programs. Operating on a model of trust-based philanthropy, we are constantly learning based upon active participation and engagement.

Making connections, eliminating barriers to success, and clearing pathways to learning are the guiding lights behind every investment POC makes. To truly matter, make an impact, and help create systemic change, the programs we support are those most needed and wanted.

Founded in December 2020, the Papitto Opportunity Connection was formed by Barbara Papitto as a continuation of the long-time commitment she and her late-husband Ralph have made to creating educational opportunities and supporting children impacted by systemic racial injustice in Rhode Island.  Learn more about Ralph and Barbara here.

Our Board of Advisors meets monthly with the POC Trustees to provide insight and guidance into the issues and challenges facing the Ocean State and to approve programmatic funding requests.

Marcy Reyes

LEADERSHIP

Arnell Milhouse

LEADERSHIP

Ting Barnard

LEADERSHIP

Junior Jabbie

LEADERSHIP

Maria Goncalves

LEADERSHIP

Lorén Spears

LEADERSHIP

Dennis Coleman

LEADERSHIP

John Tarantino

LEADERSHIP

Fred Butler

LEADERSHIP

Ed Pieroni

LEADERSHIP

Saima Chaudhry

LEADERSHIP

Andrew Cortés

LEADERSHIP

Barbara Papitto

Founder | Papitto Opportunity Connection

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Only by listening, can we truly help change narratives.