DINA BRUCE CREATING PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY AND STABILITY.
D ina Bruce, deputy director of OpenDoors, says she’ s grateful she went to prison.
“ I remember sitting in the back of the police car, and it felt like I could finally breathe,” she says.“ I knew it was over … I have that experience of hitting rock bottom and then pulling yourself back together.”
Sometimes, the wrong path can open the door to the right one. Bruce, who helps head the state’ s largest transitional program for people leaving prison and returning to the community, had once been in the same spot as many of her clients. Having faced incarceration and navigated addiction and recovery herself, she now prioritizes helping others, holding them accountable and working to create a community built on support, trust and safety.
After her release from incarceration, Bruce was paroled to the Providence Center’ s Women’ s Roads to Recovery program. There she completed a ninety-day residential treatment program, the first step in her long-term recovery. Program Manager Jasmin DiMaio promised that if she stayed clean and remained in contact, she would one day offer her a job. Three years later, she kept that promise and hired Bruce as part of the organization’ s team.
Bruce worked for the Providence Center for the next eight years, beginning in direct care and eventually moving up to management. Former supervisor Lauren D’ Andrea encouraged her to work for OpenDoors, where she applied for a shelter manager position.
Under Bruce’ s guidance, OpenDoors’ first homeless shelter flourished, and the organization opened a twenty-four-hour warming center for those who had no other choice but to brave New England’ s harsh winters. Bruce has since helped open several additional shelters and housing sites with hundreds of beds, guiding many to a path of recovery and an escape from the hardship of living on the streets.
“ For me, it’ s about purpose. I feel like through my struggles I found strength,” she says.“ Every day I get up and I get to give back, and I absolutely love it.”
Her story is a source of resilience, and her efforts remain an integral part of the organization’ s mission. Bruce oversees all of OpenDoors’ emergency shelter operations, including sites within Providence, Woonsocket and Pawtucket, as well as reentry-focused transitional sober housing for women and mothers with children. She serves on the Governor’ s Council on Housing and Homelessness and as a member of the Rhode Island Reentry Alliance and previously served on the Rhode Island Continuum of Care Board. In 2023, she received the Courage Award from the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, and the following year was the recipient of the Juneteenth Human Rights Award.
Bruce’ s goal has never strayed from helping as many people as possible and uplifting those who need it most. A mother of four and grandmother of six, she says family is a constant reminder of why her work matters. Whether it’ s tackling the affordable housing crisis or offering transitional spaces for those coming out of prison, Bruce hopes to continue helping fellow Rhode Islanders in need.
“ I remember saying to myself if I ever get the chance, because I want to do this work, I’ m going to do it differently,” she says.“ Everything that I’ ve been through in my life has led me to where I am today.”— Lynsie Olivier
84 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2026