Roots and Roofs: Fighting for Baby Bonds and Rent Stabilization in Rhode Island
- Campaigns, events
At SISTA Fire, we know that building collective power means demanding the bold policies our communities need—not just to survive, but to thrive. In a time of deepening inequality and growing instability, the fight for dignity, stability, and justice is urgent. That’s why we are calling on our members, allies, and elected leaders to support two powerful solutions: passing Baby Bonds at the state level and implementing rent control in Providence.
These are not just policy choices—they are acts of care and resistance against systems that keep Black, Brown, and working-class families locked out of opportunity.
Baby Bonds: A Future Worth Investing In
The proposed Rhode Island Baby Bond Trust would provide a publicly funded account for every child born into poverty—money they could use for college, a home, or a business when they grow up. This is about building generational wealth and breaking cycles of economic exclusion.
The need is clear:
- 52% of our survey respondents don’t have access to living-wage jobs.
- 41% struggle to pay bills each month.
- 43.8% live paycheck to paycheck.
Baby Bonds would give our children the foundation to dream beyond survival and begin to build a more secure future.
Rent Stabilization: Protecting the Right to Stay
At the same time, we must protect our families today. Rhode Island had the highest rent increases in the country last year. Wages aren’t keeping up, and families are forced to choose between housing and basic needs.
Rent Stabilization is a solution we need now. It would stop displacement, create stability, and help us say: We belong here, and we’re not leaving.
Housing is a human right. And when the city of Providence fails to protect that right, we organize to defend it.
The Path Forward
We are building an intergenerational movement of women and non-binary people of color committed to economic justice, healing, and liberation. Baby Bonds and rent stabilization are pillars of that future.
This is the time to fight boldly.
This is the time to rise together.
Join the Organizing Committee!
