New England
Mission Trips

New England is a beautiful area and is situated on history and hard workers. The culture is still true to that today. Even as you walk into a church, you may hear stories about how families have been attending the same church for generations. Some people will even refer to areas such as Boston as being overworked and underloved.

Providence, one of the cities we partner in, is the capital of Rhode Island and its most populous city. The city is located at the mouth of the Providence River, in Narragansett Bay. The city was founded in 1636 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Founded by Roger Williams while he was in religious exile, it received its name in reference to God's provision and grace.

The city of Providence is geographically very compact, something common to eastern cities that developed prior to the use of the automobile. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the country. The city has an especially high amount of foot traffic and is noted to have the 8th most pedestrian commuters.

Early on, Providence was known for its silverware and jewelry industries, eventually growing to be known as the "Beehive of Industry." Today, Providence has rebranded itself as the "Creative Capital" with a number of prestigious colleges, several respected hospitals, and a thriving arts community. The metro area of Providence contains 1.7 million people and is considered to be part of the greater Boston area, which has over 7.6 million people.

Climate

January is generally the coldest month averaging 30 degrees, while July is the warmest month averaging 73 degrees. Precipitation is a year-round occurrence, averaging nearly 5 inches of rain a month and on occasion, New England can experience strong storms.

Language

The majority of residents in Providence speak English as a primary language. However, due to strong diaspora and immigrant communities, you'll hear a myriad of other languages spoken.

Safety

As far as safety goes, taking common sense precautions is key in the prevention of any unfortunate happenings. Your PPM trip staff will be with you throughout the entirety of your trip and are well-prepared for any concerning situations.

As New England has shifted its focus away from industry, the economy has increasingly been driven by educational institutions and hospitals.

There is plenty to do in New England! The cities are filled with unique cultural experiences, ranging from restaurants to art and history. Residents love their sports as well. The area is home to several NCAA D-1 colleges and most residents ardently cheer for the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. If you are interested in catching a game, the Pawtucket Red Sox, a Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is a great experience. For those looking for something more cultural, you may want to check out the Providence Athenaeum, the 4th oldest library in the country, or the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Whatever you are looking for, New England has a rich culture to be enjoyed.

The area that is now Providence was first settled in June 1636 by Roger Williams and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies of the United States. In the mid-1770s, the British government levied taxes that restricted Providence's shipping, fishing, and agricultural industries which accounted for much of the city's economy. In response, Providence residents spilled blood at the notorious Gaspee Affair of 1772 prior to the revolutionary war. During the war, Rochambeau and George Washington marched from Newport to Providence on their way to defeat General Cornwallis in the Siege of Yorktown.

Following the Revolutionary War, Providence was the country's ninth-largest city with 7,614 people. The city began to shift from maritime to the manufacturing of machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry, and textiles. By the start of the 20th century, Providence boasted some of the largest manufacturing plants in the country.

In the 1920s, as industries (most notably, textiles) shut down, the city began to decline. Despite a brief boost from WW2, the decline continued into the 1970s. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Providence become notorious for organized crime as several mob families built vast criminal empires. The city's resurgence began in the 1970s with a massive push to revive the dying city. In the 1990s, Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. pushed for further revitalization. These efforts uncovered the city's natural rivers, which had been covered by bridges, relocated a large section of railroad underground, created Waterplace Park, constructed the Fleet Skating Rink (now the Bank of America Skating Rink) downtown, and built the 1.4 million square foot Providence Place Mall. Today, Providence is a beautiful city that is still struggling to cope with a large population of underemployed residents and rising property values.