RI PowerPlayer: Chace Baptista
Monday, September 22, 2014
Each week, GoLocal shines the spotlight on one individual who is making an impact on Rhode Island. This week, GoLocal sat down Chace Baptista, community organizer for the Concerned Citizens for John Hope, about the major challenges -- and opportunities -- currently facing Rhode Island.
You have an impressive background and are extremely involved in the community. What do you feel your greatest professional accomplishment has been to date?
Being the youngest person ever selected to be in the Martin Luther King Hall of Fame in the City of Providence. In addition, watching young people who I have mentored grow up and achieve their dreams (Corny...but True)
What are the biggest challenges of being the community organizer for the Concerned Citizens for John Hope?
Time. Everyone is busy. How do we best allocate our resources: volunteers, brain power, etc. In the most effective manner, that values their time and voice?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTCan you take us through a "typical" day in your life so far?
I eat breakfast every morning. Three eggs, bacon, and uncooked spinach on the side. Order a Dunkin Dark Medium iced coffee 2 and 2 from DD. Go to work where no day is typical. Sometimes I'm putting data on maps for a local nonprofit organization. Another day, I'm pouring over analytics for our latest website relaunch. I try to Squeeze in a workout before night classes at Providence College.
What are the biggest obstacles of being the community organizer? What do you define as "success" in this role?
The biggest obstacle is time,energy, and momentum. How are we most efficiently using the resources that people are giving to us? How are we allocating tasks to the people best suited for them? How are we making sure everyone feels heard?
Success is when we have achieved our goal of seeing a healthy John Hope Settlement House. There will be stumbling blocks, and mistakes made, as with any new endeavor. However, we have to find the small successes every day that will lead us to our over arching goal of a John Hope being in it's rightful place in the community.
Tell us something no one knows about you?
My middle name is Allen. I love to travel. I enjoy water color painting.
Who is your role model?
My Mother (yes, a cliché), Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Stepfather, Stepmother, and Sister. Outside of my family, I take and learn from so many places and people that it would be kind of unfair to pick one.
What is your favorite RI restaurant?
Thai Star on Chalkstone Ave.
What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Dune. By Frank Herbert. It was awesome. Throw World War Z into the mix as well.
Personal motto?
Who dares wins.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world today, who would it be and why?
My Mom. I mean she's awesome.
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