”In these challenging times, the need for NVI’s services is greater than ever before and Lisa has tirelessly and compassionately made nonviolence her life’s work,” Seth Handy, who co-chairs the Nonviolence Institute’s board, said in a statement. “She is a dedicated, passionate and inspirational leader and we look forward to her guidance in helping us achieve our mission by sharing the principles and practices of nonviolence.”
Pina-Warren will be the first female executive director of one of Providence’s most important nonprofits. The institute was created in 2001 following the shooting death of Jennifer Rivera, a 15-year-old who was prepared to be the star witness in a murder trial.
Over the years, the institute has become a crucial intermediary between the community, social service agencies, and law enforcement agencies, working to head off gang violence, support victims, and build a safer city.
Pina-Warren’s hiring is significant because she has strong credibility among multiple constituencies.
She grew up on the South Side and later moved to the West End, but also spent time with her grandmother in Washington Park and attended Hope High School.
“Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of violence, incarceration, and death due to the streets,” Pina-Warren said. Her brother was killed in a car accident that stemmed from a high-speed chase in 1996. One of her cousins was killed in a home invasion.
Pina-Warren has pretty much held every job offered by the institute, but it was Huntley – or Mr. Ced, as he was known – who encouraged her to pursue the executive director position. “To me the nonviolence institute isn’t a job,” Pina-Warren said. “It’s not something I feel that is temporary. I really do feel like this is my life.”
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
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Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.