Dear Friends,

As we pause to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I find myself thinking less about the soundbites we hear each year and more about the everyday, courageous work he called us into, work rooted in dignity, justice, and love.

At FabNewport, that work shows up quietly and powerfully in our young people. It lives in the curiosity of learners discovering how things work, the confidence of young people finding their voices, and the deep joy that comes when kids feel seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

One of those young people is Jessica Gomez.

Jessica is a senior at Rogers High School, and she’s been part of the FabNewport community since sixth grade. Over the years, we’ve watched her grow into a thoughtful, determined leader—someone who notices what’s missing and feels called to do something about it.

Last year Jessica created Latinos Creciendo Juntos (Latinos Growing Together) at Rogers because she knew what many students needed most: a space that felt like home. A place where students could show up as their full selves, share their stories, strengthen their cultural identity, and support one another academically and personally. A space rooted in pride, belonging, and the simple, but radical, idea that everyone deserves to feel seen and valued.

“This club aims to create a welcoming and inclusive space,” Jessica shared. “It will serve as a place where students can share experiences, strengthen their cultural identity, and receive academic and personal support. Our vision is to establish a safe space that nurtures cultural pride, inclusivity, and academic achievement among Hispanic students, making a positive impact within and beyond our school community.”

Today, more than 40 students are part of the club.

Rogers Assistant Principal Mike Monahan put it simply: “Jessica is an inspiration. She is a natural leader. Her club makes kids feel like they belong and that they have community. I have watched her encourage kids who feel like they can’t do something—and cheer them on when they realize they can.”

Jessica is the kind of young person who carries a lot at once: ideas, responsibilities, hopes for the future. Her mind is always moving, always noticing, always wondering how things could be better. Like so many young people, she’s navigating big transitions and expectations. What stands out most, though, is not the pressure she carries—but the care she extends to others.

Ms. Ana Gomes, Rogers High School’s Multi Lingual Learner Community Liaison is an avid supporter of Jessica and of Latinos Creciendo Juntos. “ Jessica has made a dream come true for even the kids who have already graduated but never felt like they belonged. Kids felt like no one cared and like they were excluded because they weren’t represented. Jessica changed that. She is a leader.”

Jessica recognizes the need of adults who believe that “kids are a necessary element of the total fabric of humanity” as Dr King once quoted. She sees that type of safe adult here at FabNewport and in Ms. Ana Gomes, who Jessica lovingly refers to as “the school mom.”

At one point, Jessica reflected, “Writing everything down helps me calm my mind. When I can see it all, I feel like I’m in control.”

Moments like this remind us that learning is about so much more than academics. It’s about agency, reflection, and finding steadiness in a complex world.

Dr. King believed learning was a pathway to freedom. When we look at Jessica’s leadership, her courage to create space, her commitment to community, and her belief in others, we see that truth come alive.

This is what the Beloved Community looks like in practice. It grows when young people are trusted, supported, and given room to lead. It grows when we listen closely and invest deeply. And it grows when we remember, as Jessica reminds us, that when we grow together, we grow stronger.

With gratitude,
Ellen Pinnock
Director of Community Engagement
FabNewport

Nine Commitments We’re Saying Yes To in 2026

1. Going deeper with families: building stronger, more trusting relationships with parents and caregivers as true partners in their children’s growth.

2. Supporting Navigators in their next chapters: helping young people make confident postsecondary choices, connect to scholarships, and step into what comes after high school with clarity and courage.

3. Using our temporary home at LaFarge Arts : turning a shared space into a place of belonging, creativity, and daily connection as we continue to imagine our long-term future.

4. Launching a full-day, year-round program for 20 middle school learners : a bold step toward deeper learning, stronger relationships, and more integrated support.

5. Going deep with three longtime partners: prioritizing depth over breadth and strengthening collaborations built on years of trust and shared purpose.

6. Contributing to Aquidneck Island’s sustainability efforts: helping young people understand their role in caring for the land, water, and communities they call home.

7. Connecting learners to service opportunities that bring joy, meaning, and purpose: service not as obligation, but as a source of identity and fulfillment.

8. Exploring a community-wide wellness index: working with others to better understand and support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of young people across Newport County.

9. Letting learners lead the way — listening closely and allowing young people’s voices, choices, and experiences to shape what comes next.

Winter Programs Open for Registration

Registration Link Here

All Programs Start the Week of February 2, and will run 8 weeks

Monday Open Art with Nycole Matthews

Nycole Matthews, Executive Director of Newport Art House, will host an 8 week Art Class on Mondays, offering space, guidance, and inspiration for young artists and creatives.

• 3:00–5:00 PM | Middle and High School Youth
  This session is open to Middle & High School students. Nycole is an expert illustrator and painter who specializes in helping young artists tap into their talent and translate creative ideas into real-world products—everything from original artwork to customized apparel like jeans.

• 5:00–7:30 PM | Older Teens & Adults
  An open studio evening for older teens and adults looking to explore art-making in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Open Lab

Wednesdays & Fridays | 3:00–5:00 PM

Open Lab is designed for learners of all ages. Each session includes:

• At least two structured activities learners can choose from, and

• Open time to explore personal interests with support from skilled staff.

February Vacation Week Extended Open Lab

• Wednesdays & Fridays | 1:00–5:00 PM

Creative Exploration | Art After Dark

Wednesdays | 5:00–7:00 PM

• Creative Exploration | Art After Dark is led by Bee Albaugh, a senior at the Met School and FabNewport intern. Bee is developing her teaching practice and brings a strong Positive Future Vision to become a community-based art educator. This program offers teens a creative, youth-led space to explore art, build confidence, and express themselves in the evening hours.

Designing and Making for Entrepreneurs

Thursdays | 3:00–5:00 PM

This program launches as a partnership with IYRS School of Technology & Trades.

Program Requirements & Experience

• Participants commit to 10 hours of learning the design software Fusion

• Learners receive coaching and guided practice

• Once proficient, participants travel to IYRS to build their designs using professional tools with support from the IYRS team

This pathway is ideal for learners interested in entrepreneurship, design, engineering, and hands-on making.