Rep. Magaziner Delivers Federal Funding to Rehabilitate Mount Pleasant Academy in Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI  — Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced $803,100 in federal funding he secured to rehabilitate Family Service of Rhode Island’s MountPleasant Academy. 

Mount Pleasant Academy serves children in pre-K through eighth grade who cannot attend public schools because of emotional, behavioral, and/or psychiatric needs. This federal funding will be used to upgrade facilities that will benefit the educational enrichment of students and provide safety improvements to the building.

“Every student deserves a quality education, and we need to invest in education to ensure the next generation has the tools and resources they need to reach their full potential,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “As a parent and former public school teacher, I’m thrilled to secure this federal funding to set students up for success inside and outside the classroom.”

These upgrades include expanding the Academy’s sensory room (a calming room to help children self-regulate behaviors and ultimately improve their focus), renovating the kitchen to meet the needs of students and provide training, and replacing aging infrastructure, among other crucial improvements. 

“We are grateful for Congressman Magaziner’s fight to improve facilities for kids and families facing critical challenges in their lives,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island. “We opened MPA almost 25 years ago in this building, which dates back to the late 1800s.  While we made significant renovations a quarter century ago, the costs of multiple needs over the years, complicated by a 2020 flood, have been overwhelming.  On behalf of our staff and the children and families served by MPA, thank you Congressman Magaziner!”

“The quality of the learning environment is critical,” said Dr. Jeffrey Brusini, who heads the school.  “Thanks to Congressman Magaziner, MPA will uphold its distinguished reputation for excellence.”

This federal funding, secured by Rep. Magaziner, is among 15 grants totaling $12,883,568 for Rhode Island community projects in the FY 2024 federal budget. The full list of the 15 local projects can be found here.