Episodes

  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring "You're With Us!" with Joe Sharkey 2-22-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring "You're With Us!" with Joe Sharkey 2-22-25
    Feb 22 2025
    Joe Sharkey, Director of Development and Community Engagement for the Boston nonprofit organization "You’re with Us!", wants you to know community based inclusion is the key to opportunities for adults with disabilities. He joins us to discuss how this successful partnership at Northeastern University came to fruition and can been duplicated in RI, citing Brown University as a desirable partner. "You're With Us!" identifies and trains college clubs, groups, and teams to be welcoming and supportive peers to the differently abled. Joe details the impetus of the program, when Michael Plansky, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, found it necessary to leave his coaching position to care for his son Max who was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy. Max was negatively impacted by the loss of social interaction he was privy to when Michael was coaching, and "You're With Us!" was developed. Listen as Joe recalls his experience as someone with a traumatic brain injury mentored in the same way and which was key to his recovery. He credits his Brown University alumni mentor, Patrick Lynch, Rhode Island's 72nd Attorney General, for support in bringing the organization to RI. "You're With Us!" is expanding its reach to individuals on the Autism Spectrum as well.
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    16 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Stages of Freedom with Ray Rickman and Robb Dimmick 2-15-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Stages of Freedom with Ray Rickman and Robb Dimmick 2-15-25
    Feb 15 2025
    It's always Black History Month at Stages of Freedom in Providence RI. Co-Founders Ray Rickman (Executive Director) and Robb Dimmick (Program Director) join us as we recognize Black History Month in February. They invite you to their museum, open year-round, to peruse the voluminous materials they have curated to tell the history of Black Rhode Island life and culture, some through exhibitions. One such exhibition, "Slavery to Soldiers", tells the history of the first Black Regiment of the Civil War. Scott recounts his interview with Brown University Bear Ben Taylor (S-TE), whose Great Great Aunt Edith Sampson was the first African American representative to the United Nations and delegate to NATO. There's also discussion of famous Black athletes from Brown University and of Activist and NBA legend Bill Russell. "Founded in 2016, Stages of Freedom is an award-winning non-profit that has at its core addressing racial inequities in Rhode Island and ensuring that Black Lives Do Matter". Their mission includes; swim empowerment for BIPOC youth, cultural and arts events and workshops to empower Black youth, programs that promote and celebrate African American history and culture, a museum of Rhode Island African American history with a non-profit bookshop, environmental justice and their daily e-blast, "Connected." Listen as Ray recalls his younger days and early activism. "The Civil Rights Kid with Ray Rickman" is a powerful one-man show recounting Ray’s early activism in the Civil Rights Movement. From leading school walkouts in Detroit to marching alongside James Meredith in Mississippi, this is a compelling story of bravery and history, told by someone who lived it. The lasting impact of all the history compiled by SOF, is that many of their works can be used in the classroom, by request. ​
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    19 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Puppy Bowl 2025 with Great Dog Rescue New England 2-7-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Puppy Bowl 2025 with Great Dog Rescue New England 2-7-25
    Feb 8 2025
    There's early action on the football field on Sunday 2/9, Team Fluff and Team Ruff compete in Puppy Bowl XXI. Erin Barnicle from Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE) joins us to share some details about their two competitors. Bark Kent representing Team Fluff and Lex Woofer represents Team Ruff, both of the Shih Tzu/Dachshund blend. They're two of 142 puppy players from 80 shelters and rescues across 40 states and two countries on this 21st anniversary of the Puppy Bowl, which will also include 11 extraordinary special needs athletes. Listen as Erin describes these cute pups,that have already been adopted after the competition was filmed. GDRNE "is a 501(C)(3) non-profit, shelterless, all-breed rescue group headquartered in Massachusetts, comprised of volunteers from all over New England who love dogs and want to help those that end up homeless through no fault of their own", so there are more puppies and dogs to adopt and add love to your life. She also gives a little insight into the production behind Puppy Bowl 2025. You can participate in many ways. Join them March 22nd for the "Lucky Dog Gala" a fundraiser/auction and an in person "Meet and Greet" also coming up in March.
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    16 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Girl Scouts USA with Ginger Lallo 2-1-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Girl Scouts USA with Ginger Lallo 2-1-25
    Feb 1 2025
    It's everyone's favorite community fundraiser, only comes around once a year, Girl Scout Cookie season! Ginger Lallo, Chief Operating Officer-Southeastern New England (GSSNE), joins us to detail all things Girl Scouts USA. Their website is a goldmine of information, with an especially a helpful tool that directs you to the closest cookie booth in your vicinity. It's nteresting to note that the Girl Scouts and the cookie program started over 100 years ago with the proceeds providing 65% funding to their local organization. Such crucial funding supports "important skills like confidence, relationship building, and their next ambition such as spending a night under the stars today or build a rocket to the moon tomorrow". Healthy living is a focus for the troops, and the camps provide a space for outdoor activities and the opportunity to earn badges for acquired skills. GSSNE is proud to claim one of their properties, Camp Hoffman, as one of the oldest existing camps in the country. Listen as Ginger speaks on her 21 years of service with GSSNE. It is typical for a Girl Scout to remain with the organization from Daisy to Ambassador and beyond. They're always seeking volunteers, whether former Scouts or not, with specific talents to facilitate programming. She's proud to be part of a leadership development organization, focusing on building courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place.
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    16 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring RI Ski Runners 70th Race with Karen Casavant and Barbara Morse 1-25-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring RI Ski Runners 70th Race with Karen Casavant and Barbara Morse 1-25-25
    Jan 25 2025
    The oldest Ski Race in the Country, 70th RI Ski Runners (RISKI) Ski and Snowboard Race, is coming up on February 2nd at Wachusett Mountain (Princeton Mass). RISKI President Karen Casavant (22-25) and Barbara Morse (NBC 10), Race MC, Journalist and RISKI member, join us for the details. The RI Ski Runners mission, "to provide an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to get together to enjoy outdoor activities including skiing, biking, and hiking, through trips and other activities in the White Mountains". Amenities include a lodge, owned and operated by the board and membership, which makes mountain excursions cost effective. They promote a website full of information and past competitions, complete with a colorful history dating back to 1938. They also celebrate their Legacy Racers who have competed and won more than one metal/trophy, complete with a photo gallery. This year, the members decided to do something fun to commemorate this landmark year and invite local artists to help design our new race tee shirt. Listen as they tout the winner, Kianna Moy Gederman (Rhode Island), who has won the opportunity to sign her artwork and have it printed on the race t-shirts for 2025 Race Artist Web page on the RISKI Runners website for a year. We also discuss our prowess on the slopes and favorite mountains.
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    22 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Funda Fest 27 with Valerie Tutson 1-17-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring Funda Fest 27 with Valerie Tutson 1-17-25
    Jan 17 2025
    We're celebrating Black Storytelling across Rhode Island, over two weekends and the week in between (1/17-1/26), the week of the Martin Luther King Holiday. There's so much to learn and experience and Valerie Tutson, Teller and Executive/Festival Director joins us for some details. In partnership with the RI Black Storytellers (RIBS) Funda Fest features over 25 performers from around the world. There will be music, storytelling and "Funda', a Zulu word "to learn". She describes the different venues and locations, where you can indulge in live storytelling (in person or on zoom) or pre-recorded stories. There's also an evening of exploration of the relationship between storytelling and hip hop. Listen as Valerie persuades Scott to be a judge for the "Liars Contest", who will tell the biggest lie for a prize! They're connecting the generations through the power of storytelling and to their shared history.
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    18 mins
  • Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring the Rhode Island Veterans Home with Kasim J Yarn 1-11-25

    Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring the Rhode Island Veterans Home with Kasim J Yarn 1-11-25
    Jan 11 2025
    Calling all LPN's, CNA's and Culinary Professionals, America's heroes need your help! The Rhode Island Veterans Home (Bristol, RI) is having a career fair (1/16 & 1/17; 10-1pm) and Director Kasim Yarn is inviting you to serve those who served you, at a five (5) star Ritz Carlton-esque facility. There's a great need for those who are in the healthcare and food service field to join in this total team effort in Bristol, home of the oldest 4th of July celebration. Listen as Kasim, a twenty (20) year Naval Veteran, detail the Veteran experience and blessings of serving his military brothers and sisters and their families. On a personal note, Kasim is a long time listener of WEEI (first time/long time) and he and his family are diehard Red Sox fans.
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    15 mins
  • CommunityMatters with Scott Cordischi featuring RI Governor Dan McKee 1-4-25

    CommunityMatters with Scott Cordischi featuring RI Governor Dan McKee 1-4-25
    Jan 6 2025
    We begin 2025, visiting with the 76th Governor of Rhode Island, Dan McKee. We're looking ahead, with the focus on getting a little clarity on the tough issues that plagued 2024. Winter is here, when will the pallet shelters of Echo Village be ready for occupancy? We're a year into the closure of the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge, and are still in the bidding process. 2024 ended with an alarming data breach of RIBridges, leaving half of the RI population vulnerable to criminal cyber crime. However it's not all negativity there is some good news, The RISavers program is launching in spring 2025 the creation of a new program and a partnership with Connecticut that is designed to help Rhode Islanders retire more easily. Also, listen as the Governor "Coach of RI", heralds our local sports programs. From nationally ranked women's basketball at RI College, University of RI football reaching the national tournament, RI Football Club scheduling their first game at the long awaited soccer stadium, and Cranston Little League represented at the World Series, "Little Rhody" has a good deal to be proud of.
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    17 mins