
Remembering Berta
About
Our Mission
SWAP, Inc. (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property) is a private non-profit community development corporation committed to providing affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income, revitalizing urban neighborhoods and building new communities.
Building homes and neighborhoods since 1975.
Our History
In 1975, when urban neighborhoods across the country were being blighted by fires and the exodus of residents to the suburbs, a pioneering group of residents in Providence formed SWAP to stop the fires and reverse the blight.
Led by the determined and ultimate neighborhood organizer Berta Phillips, one house, then one street, then one neighborhood were reclaimed by an innovative homesteading program that brought a home buyer and a house in need of rehabilitation together. With limited government subsidy and loans from local banks, over 1,000 houses became homes and the neighborhood fabric of Providence was salvaged.
Today SWAP continues to transform neighborhoods. Through historic restoration and new construction, SWAP creates affordable rental apartments and homes for sale. SWAP's current focus is on the development of mixed-use residential and commercial spaces and creating newly vibrant commercial corridors.
Board of Directors
President
Miguel Quezada
Community Member since 2017
Fabiola Brunache
Community Member since 2020
Emeritus
Jeff Austin
Community Member since 2001
Vice President
Peter Bortolotti
Community Member since 2001
Graham Kilvert
Professional Advisory Member since 2007
Emeritus
Rosetta Clark Brooks
Community Member since 2004
Treasurer
Richardson Ogidon
Community Member since 1995
John Prince
Community Member since 2004
Secretary
Nancy Whit
Professional Advisory Member since 1975
Angelica Rivera
Community Member since 2017
Interested in getting involved?
SWAP Board of Director positions are open to community residents, business owners, and professionals who are familiar with and support affordable housing.
Contact Carla DeStefano, Executive Director
401-272-0526

Meet the Staff
Carla DeStefano
Executive Director
cdestefano@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x115
Marilyn Carlson
Senior Deputy Director
mcarlson@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x119
Ami Awad
Director of Programs
aawad@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x131
Rose Kolawole
Senior Development Associate rkolawole@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x114
Carol Varden
Bookkeeper
cvarden@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x122
Wilnor Isaac
Maintenance and Special Projects
Bob Simons
Development Associate, Construction bsimons@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x130
Dorys Breton
Customer Service / Administration
dbreton@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x123
Kenneth Dominguez
Development Assistant
kdominguez@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x 113
Emily Varden
Customer Service / Intake
evarden@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x129
Associates
Gary Charpentier
Design and Construction
gcharpentier@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x116
April Wolf
Development / Research
awolf@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x117
Dolores Ricci-Norcott
CPA / Accountant
driccinorcott@swapinc.org
401-272-0526 x125
Donate to
Thank you for your interest. We deeply appreciate our donors’ commitment to the work that we do.
To Donate Online:
To Donate by Mail:
SWAP
439 Pine St.
Providence, RI 02907
Attention: Accounting Department
SWAP is a private, 501 C 3 nonprofit community development corporation.
Call us at 401.272.0526 or email us with questions.