10/28/09 Family Service of RI Receives Providence Housing Authority Partnership Award   (L to R) PHA Chair Paul F. Waldman, PHA Resident Commissioner Dolores Cascella, Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff, Family Service of RI staffer for PHA Waldy Rodriguez, and PHA executive director Stephen O'Rourke The Providence Housing Authority (PHA) marked the 70th anniversary of its founding October 28 with a gala celebration at the Westin Hotel in Providence.  Among the 350 attendees were state and local government and housing officials, past and present PHA employees and tenants.  PHA Executive Director Stephen J. O’Rourke recognized the efforts of Family Service of RI for extending practical life skills training and substance abuse prevention services to PHA families, awarding Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff and Family Service of RI staffer for PHA Waldy Rodriguez a partnership award. Other partnership awardees include: U.S. Senator Jack Reed; Providence Mayor David Cicilline; the Providence Community Action Program; and the Comprehensive Community Action Program. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Providence Community Opportunity Corporation, a non-profit that supports educational and recreational programs for PHA residents.  Established in 1939, the Providence Housing Authority owns and manages 2,606 units of public housing and is contract administrator for approximately 2,500 units of Section 8 housing.  Approximately 58% of its housing stock is designated for families, with the remainder reserved for elderly and disabled.  To learn more about the PHA and its programs go to www.pha-providence.com