History of the Providence Packers

The Providence Packers is a wholly owned Domestic Non-Profit Corporation co-founded by two gentlemen and incorporated March 30, 2007.

Richard Vaughan and Wayne Blackmon had a dream and a vision that there was a way to counter all of the negative experiences thrust upon our inner city youth. The Providence Packers Youth Football and cheerleading organization was put together with one goal in mind. To create student athletes and provide a conduit which would carry our children thru the educational arena to become viable and successful men and women.

This was no easy task but thru the perseverance of Richard and Wayne, never losing sight of their goals, many nights were spent strategizing, formulating a plan that would allow this dream to become a reality. They set out knocking on the doors of corporate America attempting to sell the dream. This was without much success. Soon after, the First Annual Providence Packers Golf Classic was born. This was a golf tournament created solely as a means of raising capital to fund the organization. Having achieved some success with the golf tournament, a buzz was created that there was something happening, something going on that deserved a look and serious consideration.

Shortly thereafter, the Providence Packers were blessed with a gift from Mr. Blackmon’s son, Will Blackmon who after much success at Bishop Hendricken High School and Boston College went on to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers. This gift came in the form of a sizeable amount of capital which allowed us to purchase uniforms. Will also gave us a jump start by becoming a board member which opened doors for us. Richard and Wayne continued to go out and push the dream to all who would listen and their perseverance paid off. Corporate America started to see what they saw and embraced them and their dream. Money was beginning to be donated. About the same time, The Second Annual Providence Packers Golf Classic came which thru the hard work of several friends of the Packers who could now see what we saw, was a booming success.

We were able to purchase the equipment we needed and the organization was on its way. As fate would have it, the battle was not won yet. Once the organization was in place, we sought out a place to call home. It was not without a great deal of fighting political red tape and other outside entities that we sought out Mayor David Cicillene. The Mayor always being a strong advocate for our cities youth immediately went to work on our behalf. It was known that Councilman Igliozzi of ward 7 wanted and had tried to bring youth football to his constituents. He already had a sucessful little league organization in place but wanted more for his community. He had the location, we had the program and a partnership was born. The Providence Packers now had a home.

This program was started with the dream of two men but it has become the reality of many, coming together showing concern for the plight of our youth and wanting to make a better community and world. Dreams can come true if you believe enough.

 The goal of The Providence Packers is consistent with the core mission of the Organization: to provide excellent educational opportunities for a diverse youth population. Our student-athletes will be viewed as students first, and only then as athletes. The Providence Packers will focus on providing contributions to society.  Academics achievements in the classroom, together with the development of character, individual and team skills, the will to win, and a sense of fair play and sportsmanship in athletic competition determines distinction in youth athletics programs. Always with style and class. 

We are “The Providence Packers”