Mayor Walsh appoints Dr. Lorna Rivera to the Boston School Committee

BOSTON - Thursday, January 31, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Dr. Lorna Rivera to the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Dr. Lorna Rivera is the Director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy, and an Associate Professor of Women's & Gender Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

"A Boston Public Schools parent and an accomplished educator with an extensive background in student advancement and strengthening diverse communities, Dr. Rivera is a wonderful addition to the Boston School Committee," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to Lorna's valuable contributions to our students and schools as we continue to work together to create more opportunities for all students."

The seven-member Boston School Committee is responsible for defining the vision, mission and goals of the Boston Public Schools; establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; hiring, managing and evaluating the Superintendent; and setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.

"As the parent of a 5th grader at the Charles Sumner elementary school, I am honored to serve on the school committee, and am really looking forward to working with others to create a better future for our youth," said Dr. Rivera. "I am also an educator and education researcher who is committed to advancing Boston Public Schools' and Mayor Walsh's goals to address opportunity gaps and to support the needs of Boston's diverse student populations."

"I am very happy to welcome another parent to the Boston School Committee," said Michael Loconto, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee.  "Dr. Rivera's deep experience with the Boston Public Schools will allow her to hit the ground running and continue supporting district-wide work to close opportunity and achievement gaps."

Currently, Dr. Rivera is working on the Latinx Student Success Initiative, a partnership with Bunker Hill Community College, to improve retention and graduation rates for Latinx college students. Dr. Rivera also works with the Talented & Gifted (TAG) and Proyecto Alerta afterschool programs that serve Latinx bilingual students in the Boston Public Schools. She has extensive community service and co-founded a national nonprofit, WE LEARN, dedicated to advancing women's literacy. Dr. Rivera serves on the Advisory Boards of the Center to Support Immigrant Organizing and the Latino Education Institute, and on the Board of Directors for the Hyde Square Task Force, an arts-based youth development organization serving Afro-Latinx youth in Boston.  

Dr. Rivera's family is originally from Puerto Rico, and she was raised in Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Rivera has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from DePaul University, state of Illinois licensure in Language Arts & Social Studies grades K-9, and a Masters and Doctorate in Sociology from Northeastern University. Between 1994 and 2001 she taught G.E.D. classes and also was the director of the Adult Learners Program at Project Hope in Dorchester.  

In 2001, Dr. Rivera joined the faculty at UMass Boston and her research focuses on women's and adult literacy programs, racial/ethnic health disparities, and the education of Latinx students and immigrant students. She is the author of many scholarly articles and the award-winning book, Laboring to Learn: Women's Literacy & Poverty in the Post-Welfare Era (2008, University of Illinois Press). Her research has been funded by the Society for the Study of Social Problems, the National Academy of Education, the Spencer Foundation, National Center for Family Literacy, and National Institutes on Health.  

Dr. Rivera has lived in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale Square neighborhoods for over 27 years, and she is the proud parent of a ten-year old boy who attends the Charles Sumner Elementary School. Dr. Rivera also formerly served as the Co-Chair of the Parent Council at the Sumner school. She lives in Roslindale.

The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve four-year staggered terms. Mayor Walsh made these appointments based on a list of candidates recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel composed of parents, teachers, principals, and representatives of business and higher education. Under the legislation that established the appointed School Committee, "the Mayor shall strive to appoint individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the city." In December, Mayor Walsh appointed Quoc Tran and reappointed Jeri Robinson to the Boston School Committee.

Source: Mayor's Press Office 1/31/2019

Boston receives $26.3 million federal HUD grant for homelessness

(BOSTON - Wednesday, January 30, 2019) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the City of Boston has received nearly $26.3 million in federal funding in support of Boston's homelessness programs. Boston was awarded the funding as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the results of its annual 2018 McKinney Homeless Continuum of Care funding competition.

"Our city's success depends on providing opportunities for all of our residents, making sure everyone has a safe, stable home and the support they need to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "These funds will help us do the work of getting homeless Bostonians access to critical services and housing. I want to thank HUD and the entire Massachusetts delegation for their continued support."

"We commend Mayor Walsh and his team, along with our local homeless service providers for their dedicated efforts towards helping our homeless neighbors find stable housing," said David Tille, HUD New England Regional Administrator. "HUD is proud to provide this funding to the City of Boston team to assist in furthering their plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness."

The Walsh Administration, which has made ending homelessness a priority, will apply this HUD funding to programs that support Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness. Through the efforts of Boston's Way Home, Boston has ended chronic veteran homelessness, and has housed 1,600 formerly homeless people.

The programs funded cover a range of services and supports, including housing search, the creation of housing for chronically homeless people, rapid re-housing funds, and stabilization services to allow newly housed chronically homeless individuals to receive the supports they need to succeed.  

Organizations funded include Bay Cove, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Casa Myrna, FamilyAid, Heading Home, HomeStart, Kit Clark Senior Services, Project Hope, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Metro Housing Boston, New England Center and Home for Veterans, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, and Victory Programs.

During Mayor Walsh's inauguration in 2018, he announced the launch of Boston's Way Home Fund, which has a goal of raising over $10 million over the course of four years to create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women. After one year, $5 million has already been pledged in support of this effort.

On Wednesday, Mayor Walsh will lead Boston's 39th annual Homeless Census. Mayor Walsh and City and State officials, civic, faith, non-profit and business leaders and volunteers as they canvass Boston for the City's annual homeless census. The census will record information about all homeless individuals in Boston, including those who are  living on the street, in emergency shelters, domestic violence programs, transitional housing, and in specialized programs serving homeless youth and veterans.

The Continuum of Care is a federal program designed to end homelessness by supporting community-wide systems of care, providing funding not only to state and local partners, but also to nonprofit providers who are part of the Continuum. This approach creates a more strategic use of resources, while improving coordination and integration between programs. It has also been found to improve data collection and performance measurement; and has the benefit of allowing communities to tailor programs to the particular resources, organizations, and challenges of that community.

The application for the 2018 Continuum of Care competition was submitted by the Supportive Housing Division of the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, in partnership with all of the organizations that make up Boston's Continuum of Care, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Pine Street Inn, HomeStart, and many other housing providers across the City. The application consisted of hundreds of data points and narratives about Boston's system and programs, along with 45 individual project applications to support thousands of the most vulnerable Bostonians on a path to permanent, sustainable supportive housing. So far, HUD has only announced Continuum of Care funding for renewal projects, and expects to announce a second round of funding for new programs at a later date. The City has applied for an additional $3 million in funding for new programs.

For more information on Boston's plan to end homelessness in Boston,  
please visit here. 

Source: Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Walsh and Boston Tax Help Coalition Kick Off 2019 Free Tax Prep Services

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 29, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Boston Tax Help Coalition and other community partners at the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment to highlight free tax preparation services available to low- and moderate-income Boston residents. The Coalition provides free tax preparation services at more than 30 partner locations throughout the City to help residents who earn $55,000 or less per year maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit and claim the full refunds they are due.

"The free, IRS-certified tax services offered by the Boston Tax Help Coalition are an opportunity for hard-working Boston residents to save money," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank our dedicated volunteers who make these efforts possible, and encourage the thousands of residents who are eligible for these services to take advantage of them."  

The Coalition serves approximately 13,000 taxpayers per year and last year enlisted hundreds of volunteers to return $24 million in refunds and credits directly to taxpayers.

"As a business owner, I have saved a lot of money on having my taxes prepared at the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment," said Cynthia Jones, founder and CEO of The Women's Group of New England. "I am now moving forward and growing my business. I am so thankful for the staff at the Center. They were there when I needed them."

In addition to tax preparation, the Coalition provides clients with other services to improve their financial health. For example, the Coalition connects taxpayers to Bank On Boston, an initiative launched by Mayor Walsh that helps residents identify banking services that are safe, affordable, and non-predatory. Trained financial guides also offer taxpayers the Financial Check-Up, a key component of Boston Builds Credit, the City's free credit building program. A Financial Check-Up is a one-on-one session in which a taxpayer can review his or her credit score and obtain personalized credit-building strategies. The Boston Tax Coalition offers Financial Check-Ups at 15 tax sites, up from 12 last year.

New this year, the Coalition will also be using the Financial Check-Up as an outreach tool to identify taxpayers who aspire to homeownership. These taxpayers will be eligible for Homebuyer Readiness workshops and individualized financial coaching and credit building assistance to help them work toward that goal. These services will be available at the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment, with additional workshops offered through community partners across the city.

These homeownership services are made possible by a $175,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of the organization's NeighborhoodLIFT program, a $6.75 million commitment to boost sustainable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods.

"Wells Fargo is passionate about helping individuals, families and communities achieve their goals," said Jennifer Crampton of Wells Fargo's Community Lending and Investment division. "These local initiative grants will help most Boston area residents who want to become homeowners - a goal that aligns perfectly with the NeighborhoodLIFT program. We are excited to work together to make lasting changes for the better."

"The beginning of the tax season is our favorite time of year," said Alan Gentle, manager of the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment. "We see many residents who have been getting their taxes done with us for years. Plus, we're able to connect taxpayers with other services offered by our bilingual staff - from financial coaching to small business assistance to, now, homebuyer assistance."

The Boston Tax Help Coalition is part of the Mayor's Office of Financial Empowerment.

About the Mayor's Office of Financial Empowerment

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh formed the Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) in 2014 to connect City residents with access to credit building programs, financial education, individualized financial coaching, and income support. Residents who seek to improve their financial situation can use these tools to achieve economic well-being and pursue financial prosperity. OFE is an affiliate of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

What's Happening at the East Boston Branch of the Public Library: February Events Listing

Concert-Box Not Found: Stories Saturday, February 2nd at 3 p.m.
Box Not Found: Stories, comes to to the East Boston Public Library!  This performance is open to the public at no cost.  This program will feature brand new works by composers Camila Agosto, Ariel Friedman and Ian Wiese. Each composer has written a piece inspired by a story that has a significant impact in their personal life.

• Camila Agosto: Paper House
• Ariel Friedman: Joshua Fit The Battle
• Ian Wiese: What a Fast Little Engine! : Scenes from ‘Choo-Choo’
• Natalie Calma: going places

Paper Lanterns, Tuesday, February 5 at 4 p.m.
The Lunar New Year starts February 5.  Many families decorate for the new year by hanging lanterns around their house or marching through the neighborhood carrying lanterns. Come make your own paper lantern and celebrate the Lunar New Year. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

ESOL Intermediate English Class
Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 to 1 p.m.
Starting on February 6th
This is an adult ESL Intermediate English class for people with some English experience. You will review grammar basics, learn how to offer and request advice, talk about future hopes and plans, and fix common mistakes in English pronunciation! Registration is required. To register and for more information, please visit us, call 617.859.2446, or email literacyservices@bpl.org.
Classes are free.

Cooking for Babysitters
Thursdays, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, & 3/7, 4 p.m.
Join us at the East Boston Branch Library as Debbie Alsebai (Kidz Cooking with Miss Debbie) teaches us how to cook some healthy and delicious meals perfect to prepare when babysitting!  This is part of a babysitting series. Dates for upcoming Babysitting Class presented by 4H will be announced shortly.
Space is limited to 15 kids, so please call the library at 617.569.0271 or speak to a librarian to sign up. THIS PROGRAM IS FOR KIDS IN GRADES 6-12 ONLY!!!


USCIS Immigration Information Session:
February 8th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration officer will be at the branch to answer questions on immigration issues including eligibility requirements; filing procedures; finding knowledgeable, low-cost and safe legal advice and how to avoid scams. This is a cooperative effort of USCIS, BPL and the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement.


Small Biz Basics: Flyers, Menus, and More
February 12th at 10:30 a.m.
Do you have a small business or side hustle that you'd like to promote? Don't have the time to learn graphic design? Canva is a free tool you can use to make fancy flyers, menus, and more without breaking a sweat.
You'll need basic computer/internet skills and a list of ideas and we will go over Canva basics and craft one item to print and take.
??Registration is recommended. Please RSVP to jidakaar@bpl.org.


Caravan Puppets
Friday, February 22nd at 3 p.m.
Caravan Puppets has delighted countless children and families throughout the USA, Canada and Japan.  “The Four Season Bear” is a delightful tale of the year of a young bear with memorable songs, beautiful puppets, storytelling and audience participation.  Funding for this program was made possible by the Highland Street Foundation.

Public meeting on Feb 5 to discuss Eversource project change

NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy ("Eversource") has submitted to the Energy Facilities Siting Board ("Siting Board") a Project Change Filing in connection with an Eversource electric transmission and substation project ("Project"), which the Siting Board approved on December 1, 2017.

The approved Project includes two new underground transmission lines that will travel through Everett, Chelsea, and East Boston, and a new electric substation ("Substation") in East Boston. Eversource now seeks approval from the Siting Board to modify a portion of the approved Project. The Company proposes to move the site of the new Substation approximately 190 feet to the west of its original location. Both the original site and the proposed new site for the Substation are located within a larger parcel of land owned the City of Boston in the East Eagle area of East Boston.

The Siting Board will be reviewing the impacts of relocating the Substation as proposed by Eversource. The remainder of the Project, including the new transmission lines, is not under review in this Project Change proceeding.
The attached legal notice describes Eversource's proposed Project Change. The notice also explains the opportunities for public participation in the review process. 

Please read this notice carefully. (FOR THE FULL NOTICE click here.)

The Siting Board is a state agency that will review the Company's proposed relocation of the Substation. The Siting Board will conduct a public comment hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on February 5, 2019 at East Boston High School, 86 White Street, East Boston, MA 02128 to receive public comment on the proposed change to the approved Project. 

A Spanish/English and a Portuguese/English interpreter will be present. 

At the public comment hearing, the Company will provide information on the proposed relocation of the Substation, and the Siting Board will present information on its review process and receive comments and questions from members of the community. 

All comments are important to the Siting Board; anyone with an interest in the Project Change is encouraged to attend the public comment hearing.

Individuals and groups affected by the Company's Project Change Filing who wish to be involved in the Siting Board review process may request to participate as either intervenors or limited participants. Such requests must meet the criteria outlined in the attached legal notice. The deadline to make such a request is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. 

Questions concerning participation will also be answered at the public comment hearing, and also can be answered by the Presiding Officer, whose contact information is below.

Copies of the Company's Project Change Filing are available for public inspection at the locations listed.

• Office of the Boston City Clerk, Boston City Hall, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
• 
  
• East Boston Public Library, 365 Bremen Street, East Boston, MA 02128

If you have any questions about the Siting Board's review process, please feel free to contact the Presiding Officer, M. Kathryn Sedor, Esq., at (617) 305-3525, or at Kathryn.Sedor@mass.gov. The Siting Board's mailing address is: One South Station, Boston, MA 02110.

ThreadTech Announces Grand Opening of East Boston Headquarters

EAST BOSTON, MA - Boston-based fashion hub, ThreadTech, will open its doors on Thursday, January 24th, from 6:30-8:30pm with an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 7pm.

Occupying a historic former cotton mill, Maverick Mills, the event will be a night to remember. Staged by modern & contemporary Italian furniture manufacturer, VIP Saloti, and office furniture provided by Wayfair, the event will feature light cocktails and a tour of ThreadTech’s facilities, which will be home to Fashion Group International of Boston.

ThreadTech takes Fashion Designers from design to market, faster. Apparel companies can develop, produce, sell and distribute their clothing brands in one place. The first of its kind, ThreadTech offers deep experience in clothing development and apparel production.  

“The former Maverick Mills building is the perfect home for ThreadTech as it brings the rich history of textiles in New England – a process that completely transformed the way clothes are produced,” explains Donielle Martorano McKeever, Founder at ThreadTech with over 18 years experience in the fashion industry including production, mentoring, consulting and product development. “Now, over 60 years later, ThreadTech’s business model is again reinventing the term American-made, and we are thrilled to finally introduce our headquarters to the Boston community.”

ThreadTech is located at 175 William F McClellan Hwy, East Boston. 

The property has ample parking and is located minutes from Logan International Airport, Downtown Boston, public transportation and major highways. 

To learn more about ThreadTech’s services visit threadtechboston.com or reach out to ThreadTech’s VP of Sales, Thom Laub, at sales@threadtechboston.com.

Councilors Edwards and Janey File Home Rule Petition to Enact a Fee on Investor and Commercial Real Estate Sales

Legislation would also discourage flipping of neighborhood homes 

On Monday, Councilors Lydia Edwards and Kim Janey proposed a Home Rule Petition to combat housing speculation and establish an investor and commercial property transfer fee. The proposed bill would enhance the city’s housing toolkit by generating millions of dollars for affordable housing and by discouraging the inflation of housing prices through rapid resale of properties. The proposal will be assigned to committee in Wednesday’s council session.

The bill authorizes the City of Boston to establish a fee of up to 6%, split evenly between buyer and seller, on real estate transfers over $2 million, with an estimated revenue of $175m - $350m based on 2015-2017 sales. Exemptions are in place for owner-occupants, transfers between family members and homes purchased through approved home-buying classes. The bill also would authorize a fee of up to 25% on secondary sales, or flips, within a two year period. 

"Boston residents are struggling as our economy booms, and our homes have become the new stock market," said Boston Councilor Lydia Edwards. "Housing costs are straining families' resources and pushing talented workers out of our city. This legislation will curb real estate speculation and generate millions to build and preserve affordable housing."

“We are in a housing affordability crisis,” said Councilor Kim Janey. “These fees will not only discourage speculation in our housing market and the over-creation of luxury condos, it will also raise much-needed revenue to invest in affordable housing, and help stem the tide of gentrification. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the City Council, the Mayor, and the legislature in passing this law.”

Other cities, including New York City, have enacted luxury transfer fees and there is a growing movement in Massachusetts. The Somerville City Council passed a home rule petition in 2018 which is still pending before the legislature. Cambridge began exploring a transfer fee in January 2019. State legislation authorizing a transfer fee has also been introduced by Rep. Mike Connolly and Sen. Joseph Boncore (HD.414  / SD334 - An Act supporting affordable housing with a local option for a fee to be applied to certain real estate transactions).

Mayor Walsh announces 2019 Environment and Transportation Legislative Agenda

(BOSTON - Tuesday, January 8, 2019) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced his environment and transportation legislative package, the second of four legislative packages the City of Boston will be submitting to the Massachusetts Legislature. The six-bill package will strengthen the Commonwealth's commitment to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the City's goals to be carbon neutral by 2050. Mayor Walsh's legislative agenda builds upon the work of the Administration to ensure equity, opportunity and resilience for all residents by strengthening current systems and creating new tools to adapt, mitigate and invest in local transportation and the environment.

"Addressing the threat of climate change and making sure we keep up with our transportation needs goes beyond city limits. That's why we must work together with the Massachusetts Legislature on issues of climate mitigation and adaptation, and do everything we can to address congestion and increase safety in our streets," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud to propose legislation that will explore incentives to reduce pollution and create a statewide vehicle to work on resiliency projects, as well as proposals that would provide investment in transportation infrastructure."

Environment

Mayor Walsh's second legislative package of the year focuses on Boston's shared commitment and leadership with the Commonwealth to be robust environmental stewards, strengthening our ability to address climate change and its impacts. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to be in line with the Paris Agreement while preparing for rising sea levels and extreme weather events is a shared responsibility that requires immediate legislative action. To that end, the environmental bills proposed seek to create a statewide vehicle to work on resiliency projects and explore market incentives to reduce pollution.

This work builds on Mayor Walsh's recent vision plan for a Resilient Boston Harbor. This comprehensive and transformative vision calls for investing in Boston's waterfront to protect against the impacts of rising sea level and climate change. The Mayor's plan lays out strategies along Boston's 47-mile shoreline that will increase access and open space along the waterfront while better protecting the city during a major flooding event.  

The City has already completed segments of the Resilient Boston Harbor plan through district-level projects in East Boston, Charlestown, and South Boston. These projects led to immediate action along the East Boston Greenway where a deployable flood wall was installed last year, an elevated section of Main St. in Charlestown was added to the design of the City's Rutherford Ave. and Sullivan Square project, the ongoing planning for Moakley Park in South Boston to prepare it for coastal and stormwater flooding, and the construction of Martin's Park in the Seaport, which is expected to be completed this year.

Most recently the City, in partnership with the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), submitted its proposal for a $10 million FEMA pre-mitigation grant to begin resilience work along the Fort Point Channel. As the City continues to make strides towards building a more climate-ready Boston, it will begin its next district-level planning project for the Downtown and North End neighborhoods early this year and begin the same work in Dorchester later this year.  

Furthering strengthening Mayor Walsh's commitment to protecting Boston against rising sea levels and climate change, the City is accelerating its progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Boston is committed to being carbon neutral by 2050. Early this year the City will begin the process to update its Climate Action Plan. The update will provide an implementation roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality in Boston, identifying the immediate next steps Boston must take to reach its goals. Most recently the City rolled out its regulation of single-use plastic bags, encouraging all customers to switch to reusable bags when shopping in Boston and help move the City toward zero waste. The City also took a big step forward in implementation of Community Choice Energy by seeking proposals from qualified consultants to develop a municipal energy aggregation program and by convening a community-led working group to inform the program design.  

As a leading city on climate action, the City was named a winner of the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge as Boston works to strengthen and accelerate its progress toward reducing carbon emissions. The City will receive a support package, valued at up to $2.5 million, to increase low-carbon mobility choices and improve energy performance of Boston's building sector.

"Massachusetts residents are already feeling the impacts of climate change, from hotter summers to increased coastal flooding and heavier rainfall. Our research has shown that to address these challenges and protect vulnerable communities, we need partnership among local, regional and state government," said Rebecca Herst, Executive Director of the Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston. "We applaud Mayor Walsh for proposing a comprehensive approach to protect communities throughout the Commonwealth and encourage better governance for all."

The environmental bills in the Mayor's legislative package include:

An Act to Establish a Commission for a Climate Ready Commonwealth: would create a regional commission to determine which entity should lead major coastal and inland resiliency projects, how such projects might be funded and how those projects should be prioritized. Boston is not alone in facing the threat of climate change, and all communities are experiencing the reality of extreme heat, snow, rain, and flooding. As the impacts increase and intensify, it's more important now than ever before to coordinate investments to adapt infrastructure and our natural and built environment to future climate conditions.

An Act to Modernize our Natural Gas Infrastructure: would impose a fine on natural gas providers for the total volume of all gas leaks, incentivizing the utility companies to update their infrastructure and providing revenue for climate-ready municipal projects. Natural gas is a powerful greenhouse gas and significant contributor to climate change. The City of Boston and all other cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth have outdated and aging natural gas infrastructure. Gas leaks not only harm the environment but are a public safety issue, public health concern, and financial burden to ratepayers.

For more information on the City's environmental work, please visit  boston.gov/environment.

Transportation

As Boston's population continues to grow, with projected growth to reach almost 760,000 people by the year 2030, Mayor Walsh is proposing four transportation bills aimed at efficiently supporting residents by providing investment in transportation infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions from motor vehicles, and providing for safer streets.

The bills further goals established in Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston's comprehensive transportation plan. Execution of the plan is well underway with action being taken on more than half of the 58 projects and policies identified. These initiatives work to reduce traffic, encourage travel by transit, bike and on foot, and ensure safety and access equitably for all users of Boston's streets.
Examples include partnering with the MBTA to promote the use of public transit by establishing a dedicated bus lane on a section of Washington Street in Roslindale that serves eight different bus lines carrying thousands of passengers daily; incorporating new techniques and upgraded equipment into roadway projects to advance our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries in Boston by 2030; and working to build a network of low stress, strategically placed, separated or buffered bike lanes to allow for safe travel by bike throughout Downtown and Boston's neighborhoods.

"Mayor Walsh's legislative agenda is comprehensive and future-oriented," said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. "It includes incentives to address climate and transportation issues, as well as penalties for behavior that stands in the way of progress. We are particularly pleased that the City of Boston will support Regional Ballot Initiatives to generate revenue for critical improvements in our transportation infrastructure. This is a major source of revenue for roads and transit around the country, and we need this tool in Massachusetts too."

The transportation bills in the Mayor's legislative package include:

An Act to Allow Regional Ballot Initiatives: would allow cities and towns in Massachusetts to work together to pass taxes that would be used to fund specific transportation projects.

An Act to Promote Safe Streets and Reduce Congestion: would allow photo enforcement for school buses with cameras to capture violations when the STOP arm is deployed and for addressing Blocking the Box traffic violations. This bill is part of a broader road safety legislative agenda, which includes support of previously-filed bills related to sideguards on trucks and cell phone use while driving.

An Act to Allow Parking Assessments for Infrastructure Investment: would allow cities and towns to add an assessment to spaces in private parking garages, to be used to build and maintain roads and bridges, as well as bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

An Act to Update Transportation Network Company Assessments: would update the existing TNC legislation to better align it with the State's and City's climate and mobility goals.  In particular, it would create a lower assessment for shared trips, a higher assessment for solo trips, and encourage walking, biking and transit as primary modes of travel.

For more information on the City's transportation work, please visit boston.gov/transportation.

One year report: District 1 City Councilor Lydia Edwards

Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Gross to host a one-day gun buyback program

BOSTON - Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, in collaboration with physicians and medical professionals, today announced a coordinated gun buyback day will take place in six locations across Boston on Saturday, December 15 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The day marks a remembrance of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which happened six years ago on December 14. The "Piece for Peace" program aims to bring attention to the devastating toll that unneeded and unsecured guns can have on individuals and the public at large, and provides the opportunity for people to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition, no questions asked.

"Here in Boston, we know that even one life lost to gun violence is one too many," said Mayor Walsh. "The Boston Police Department is committed to getting guns off our streets: whether it's through the creation of the gun buyback program, recovering firearms, engaging with responsible gun owners, or tracing the path of illegal guns, we are working with the community everyday to make Boston a safer place for everyone."

Boston Police Department's gun buyback program, "Piece for Peace," is a proactive campaign to take guns off Boston's streets organized in collaboration with Mass General Hospital for Children and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization. The buyback program asks city residents to turn-in guns at designated drop-off locations citywide in return for a $100 Target gift card. The "no questions asked" program allows individuals to anonymously dispose of firearms without fear of charges for illegal possession when turning in the weapon. For locations and information on the Boston Police Department's gun buyback efforts this weekend, please visit bpdnews.com.

"This One Day Buy Back is a unique event in that it strengthens the bridge between the city, public safety, and the health community around gun violence. Street violence and gun suicides are issues that touch all facets of the community and are a shared responsibility," said Commissioner Gross. "By participating in this regional buy back, we provide an opportunity for family members to get guns out of their houses, and off the streets, with no questions asked. We are all playing an important role in this fight against gun violence.  I've said it before, but one gun off the street is one gun out of the hands of a kid in our community and possibly one life saved."

Medical professionals have joined this initiative in an effort to decrease youth violence and take guns off the streets by raising funds within their local healthcare organizations, and hosting buyback days throughout Massachusetts.

"As I pediatric trauma surgeon, I often see the deadly effects of gun access and and the toll it takes on victims, their families and those who treat them," says Peter Masiakos, director of pediatric trauma services at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and co-founder of the MGH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition. "Working together, physicians and political leaders have a responsibility to address the public health crisis that is gun violence. This gun buyback that is made possible by the the forward thinking actions of the Boston Police Department and Mayor Walsh is an opportunity to safely rid homes and streets on unwanted weapons. If just one life is spared; whether it is by preventing a suicide or or an unintentional shooting that happens when a child finds an unsecured gun in a closet, this event will have been successful."

Since the beginning of the program in 2014, the Boston Police Department has collected 601 guns that have been turned in through gun buybacks facilitated through the Piece for Peace program. So far in 2018, the BPD has confiscated over 645 illegal firearms and hopes that Boston city residents will take advantage of this one-day program to increase that total, and in turn, increase the safety of our city.

The following procedure must be followed in order to receive amnesty for possession of a gun and to receive a gift certificate. 

If the protocol is followed, the person dropping off the firearm will not be prosecuted for unlawful possession of that specific firearm. 

Amnesty - however - will not be promised or given for any other crime committed with that firearm or for any other crime committed while in possession of that firearm.

Procedure:

•     Gun must be delivered unloaded.
•     Gun must be put in a clear plastic bag, and put into another container (gym bag, backpack etc.).
•     If depositing ammunition in addition to a gun, ammunition must be delivered in a separate bag.
•     If transporting the gun by car, gun must be transported in the trunk of the vehicle.
•     After the gun is screened by officers, and determined to be a working firearm, a gift card will be given.
•     Rifles and shotguns will be accepted, however, no incentive will be issued or provided.

Source: Contact: Press Office, 617-635-4461

East Boston Playhouse to stage production of The Little Prince

Amelia Winer, left, and Joe Carr rehearse a scene from The Little Prince.

The East Boston Playhouse is proud to announce their latest production, The Little Prince by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

The Little Prince may have returned to his own tiny planet to tend his Rose and look after his Sheep, but for a short enchanted time he returns to us and comes alive on stage. 

This play tells the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator whose sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara Desert and a mysterious, regal "little man" who appears and asks him to "Please, sir, draw me a sheep." 

During their two weeks together in the desert, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy, how he met the Lamplighter and the Businessman and the Geographer, and about his strained relationship with a very special flower on his own tiny planet. 

The Little Prince talks to everyone he meets: a garden of roses, the Snake and a Fox who wishes to be tamed. From each he gains a unique insight which he shares with the Aviator: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly." "What is essential is invisible to the eye." At length, both the "little man" and the Aviator must go home—each with a new understanding of how to laugh, cry, and love again.  

With an ensemble cast of talented actors from East Boston and surrounding communities, The Little Prince will be presented at the Zumix, 260 Sumner Street, Friday, January 4, 2019 at 7PM, and Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2PM and again at 7PM. 

Tickets may be purchased for $10 by visiting the East Boston Playhouse website at www.eastbostonplayhouse.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door the day of performance for $12. 

The Possible Project, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and Boston Medical Center Launch Job Training and Educational Program for Students

BOSTON, December 11, 2018– Students who are dual-enrolled in The Possible Project and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School’s Allied Health Vocation Program will now be able to do more than just study a career in health care: they will gain hands on training in clinical assistant and support services roles at Boston Medical Center and can apply for jobs at the hospital at the end of the academic year.

Students from sophomores to seniors will be engaged in education programs, job shadowing and training, including direct instruction from the BMC staff at both the Madison Park and BMC campuses. At the conclusion of the school year, seniors will be eligible to apply for open medical assistant and nursing assistant jobs as well as support services roles at BMC, which combined currently number more than 500 positions.

“With the need for qualified healthcare personnel on the rise, it is paramount that we, career vocational technical education high schools, prepare our students to meet that demand, states Kevin McCaskill, Executive Director of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. “Allied health giants such as BMC provide us with the knowledge, skills, and resources to better prepare our students for post-secondary and career success. Allied health partners are a key component to improving student outcomes across the board. An alliance with BMC is a game changer for us and we are truly thankful and grateful for the role The Possible Project played in developing this partnership.”

Founded by Mark and Becky Levin, the Possible Project (TPP) inspires students to unlock their potential for success through innovation and design thinking, social emotional skills, entrepreneurship, work experience, and college and career pathways support. TPP is committed to providing innovative opportunities to students knowing that students are fundamentally more engaged when their learning has obvious and clear real-world relevance and application.

“We believe this type of industry engaged partnership is critical to the success of students in high school,” said Becky Levin, Executive Director and Founder of The Possible Project. “This partnership could be a model for the region and for the country.”

“As one of the region’s largest employers, we know firsthand that the greatness of our city and hospital comes from the many faces in our community,” said Lisa Kelly-Croswell, BMC’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “There is tremendous talent and heart in Boston’s public schools and neighborhoods. Our collective efforts and enthusiasm will translate into educational and job opportunities for students, as well as advance our vision to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.”

This pilot partnership aims to provide a rich and authentic educational experience often left off the table in traditional classrooms: hands-on project based lessons with a committed industry partner. Students will acquire both the technical skills of medical assistants and certified nursing assistants from their instruction at Madison Park, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset, professionalism, team spirit, communications and customer service skills fostered by The Possible Project.

“For students to be truly successful in today’s economy, they need more than some technical acumen and a job application,” said Robert Finnegan, Vice President at the Possible Project. “They need the mindsets to succeed; professional skills; mentors who care; and great companies like Boston Medical Center to step up and show that they care about recruiting talented members of the community.”

# # #

About Boston Medical Center

Boston Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit, 487-bed, academic medical center that is the primary teaching affiliate of Boston University School of Medicine. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Boston Medical Center offers specialized care for complex health problems and is a leading research institution, receiving more than $116 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2017. It is the 15th largest recipient of funding in the U.S. from the National Institutes of Health among independent hospitals. In 1997, BMC founded Boston Medical Center Health Plan, Inc., now one of the top ranked Medicaid MCOs in the country, as a non-profit managed care organization. Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine are partners in the Boston HealthNet – 14 community health centers focused on providing exceptional health care to residents of Boston. For more information, please visit http://www.bmc.org.



About Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School is Boston’s only vocational and technical high school providing rich training in 16 vocational tracks. The mission of the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School is to provide our students with rigorous academic and technical educational programs and the character necessary to further pursue and succeed in postsecondary and career opportunities in order to become productive citizens.  

https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/madisonpark


About The Possible Project

The Possible Project works to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, developing the social-emotional skills necessary to work collaboratively and solve problems in a high-level career path. We guide students through a dynamic curriculum, including hands-on work experience and individualized career planning, to develop the personal qualities that predict future professional success. https://possibleproject.org/

Source: Timothy Viall

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Boston Medical Center

What's up at the East Boston Library: Holiday Clarinet Concert - December 15

Holiday Clarinet Concert

Saturday, December 15th at 3 p.m.

East Boston Branch Library


Join Nicole DeMaio and Bradley Frizzell for a Holiday Clarinet Concert! We'll be playing many Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter favorite songs. We welcome kids and families, free admission. 

For more information, call (617) 569-0271.

December 12: Hearing on Proposed Porter Street Pot Shop

Notice of Public Meeting
Notice is hereby given that a Community Outreach Meeting for a Proposed Marijuana Establishment is scheduled for:

Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: East Boston Social Center: 68 Central Square, East Boston, MA 02128

The Proposed Marijuana Establishment is anticipated to be located at 24 Porter Street, East Boston, MA 02128

There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Related news story from the Boston Herald.

Suffolk County DA-Elect Rachael Rollins Announces Transition Team

(BOSTON, December 6, 2018) - Suffolk County District Attorney-elect Rachael Rollins is pleased to announce the formation of her transition team, a collection of retired judges and law enforcement officials, returning citizens, former prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, clergy members, academics, and select members of the local community who, by their lived experiences, reflect the vast and varied means by which a prosecutor’s office engages with the community it serves. 

The team’s work will be guided by Rollins’ transition co-chairs, Martin Murphy of Foley Hoag and Natashia Tidwell of Hogan Lovells, and a six-member steering committee comprised of talented and experienced criminal defense attorneys, former prosecutors, and recognized experts in community engagement.  

Transition Steering Committee

Reverend Willie Bodrick, II is an ordained Baptist minister serving as the Associate Pastor of the Historic Twelfth Baptist Church in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Roxbury YMCA and as the Chairperson of the Boston Network for Black Student Achievement. Rev. Bodrick is a 2010 graduate of Georgetown University (BA) and 2014 graduate from Harvard Divinity School (M. Div.). He previously served as the Outreach Coordinator in the Community Engagement Division of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General Maura Healey. Rev. Bodrick is currently a second year (2L) Juris Doctor candidate at Northeastern University School of Law.  He is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 

Nurys Camargo is the Regional Director of External Affairs for AT&T Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Prior to AT&T, Camargo was a Senior Policy Advisor for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, where she worked on various issues surrounding youth violence, witness protection and reentry. Camargo is the founder of Chica Project, a year-long social enterprise for Latinas and women of color ages 14-18, which is devoted to closing the opportunity divide for young women.  She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College in New York City, and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Mount Ida College. 

Jessica D. Hedges is a founding partner of the firm Hedges & Tumposky, LLP, a Boston firm focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation.  Much of Hedges’ professional life is inspired by her conviction that over-reliance on incarceration is a source of social ills rather than a remedy for them.  Thus, in addition to traditional advocacy she devotes significant professional energy to supporting, developing, and teaching about meaningful alternatives to incarceration.  Hedges taught the Criminal Advocacy Clinic at Northeastern University School of Law for several years, where she instructed students in trial advocacy skills, and supervised them in actual representations in district courts.  She was also selected by the United States District Court of Massachusetts to be the Chair of the Criminal Justice Act Board, which assists the court in the selection and administration of the Criminal Justice Act Panel, a slate of attorneys who are authorized to accept court appointments on behalf of indigent defendants. The Board acts as a liaison between the Court and the defense bar and advises the Court on matters pertaining to the practices and policies of the Court. 

Justice (Ret.) Geraldine Hines is the Huber Visiting Professor at Boston College Law School having previously served as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”).  The first black woman ever appointed to the SJC, Justice Hines served the judiciary and the Commonwealth with distinction for 16 years.  A Mississippi native, Justice Hines graduated from Tougaloo College and the University of Wisconsin Law School.  Upon graduation she became a staff attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, engaging in prisoner's rights litigation, and then practiced criminal law with the Roxbury Defenders' Committee in positions of progressively greater responsibility culminating as the Director of the Committee. Following her tenure as a staff attorney at the Harvard University Center for Law and Education, Justice Hines entered private practice, appearing in state and federal courts on criminal, administrative, labor and family law matters. Of particular note, she continued to litigate civil rights cases, including employment discrimination and police misconduct claims, as a founding partner in the first law firm of women of color in the New England region. She began her judicial career in 2001 as an associate justice of the Superior Court and served on the Appeals Court for one year before her appointment to the SJC in 2014 where she sat until her retirement in 2017.  

Daniel P. Mulhern is Senior Advisor to Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Director of the City of Boston’s Office of Public Safety. Mulhern is responsible for establishing cross agency and cabinet coordination to tackle the challenging and complex problems that lead to and perpetuate violence.  Prior to joining the Walsh administration, Mulhern was a prosecutor for close to fifteen years and Chief of the Gang and Safe Neighborhood Unit in Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s Office.  Mulhern has been recognized locally and nationally for his work in public safety and community partnerships.

Donna Patalano previously served as Chief of Professional Integrity & Ethics at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. In that role, she worked to create the state's first Conviction Integrity Program and served as chief of the office's Training Program. In 2015, the SJC appointed her chair of the Board of Bar Overseers, the agency responsible for the discipline of state’s 60,000 active attorneys. Patalano appeared regularly in the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, and Suffolk Superior Court, both as a prosecutor and as appellate counsel for indigent clients. She served as a member of the SJC's Committee on Grand Jury Practice, Winchester's Zoning Board of Appeals, and as chair for its Town Counsel Search Advisory Committee. She currently is a member of the Mass Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Council. Following her graduation from Boston College Law School, she clerked for the Honorable Elspeth Cypher, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Source: Donna Patalano

December 13: NOAH's Annual Dinner

Contractor TJ McCartney and Painters Union honored for their volunteer efforts in renovating and improving the Boston Harbor Islands

From left to right (first row): Tom Steeves, President, TJ McCartney, Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35, Instructor Jim Sullivan, FTI-NE, and Tom Gunning, Executive Director, BTEA, along with FTI-NE apprentices receiving the award.

In an ongoing partnership between industry leader TJ McCartney and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, countless hours have been devoted towards the maintenance and upkeep of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Special guests including State Senator Nick Collins, State Representative-Elect David Biele, State Representative Dan Hunt, and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn were in attendance at the event. 

(Boston, MA November 28, 2018) - At an awards gala hosted by Boston Harbor Now, contractor T.J. McCartney, Inc. and members from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 35 were recognized for their long-standing commitment to renovate and revive facilities on the Boston Harbor Islands. 

TJ McCartney, with the help of apprentices from the Finishing Trades Institute of New England, volunteered countless hours to the maintenance of several Boston Harbor Islands, including years of pro-bono work with the creation of three gazebos on Spectacle Island and the rehabilitation of many different projects on George’s Island. 

"The Painters Union has been our partner in this initiative since the beginning. We are excited to partner together on this project because it benefits not only the people of Boston but is a wonderful experience for all those that visit this city.” Said Tom Steeves, President of TJ McCartney. “We are honored to accept this award from Boston Harbor Now for our work at the Boston Harbor Islands, and we look forward to continuing the collaboration with more projects in the near future."

“We have the best-trained apprentices in the industry. Our partnership with TJ McCartney has provided an excellent opportunity for them to gain work experience and contribute towards a better Boston," said Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager, IUPAT DC 35. 

"Our apprenticeship program recently received national accreditation as a post-secondary educational institution and we are working towards receiving college degree-conferring authority. Our students will soon be receiving Associates Degrees when they graduate from the program, increasing their ability to embark on successful careers in the finishing trades. We are thankful to Boston Harbor Now for recognizing the work of our apprentices and our partner TJ McCartney."

The volunteer efforts of TJ McCartney and IUPAT DC35 contribute immensely to Boston Harbor Now’s goal of re-establishing Boston as one of the world’s great coastal cities. These efforts also serve as a primary example of how Labor/Management partnerships in the construction industry work together to improve the parks and communities for the people of Boston. Both organizations were honored alongside The Fallon Company and Massachusetts Port Authority for their contributions to Boston Harbor.

About T.J. McCartney, Inc.: With close to 40 years of experience in the drywall industry, we provide our clients with the best project managers, estimators, and field personnel in the business. T.J. McCartney, Inc. is certified with SOMWBA, as well as with the city of Boston as a WBE. At T.J. McCartney, Inc. we have built a reputation for quality workmanship and exceptional performance.

For more information about T.J. McCartney, Inc. please visit https://www.tjminc.com/

About District Council 35: 
District Council 35 has a history of doing charity projects to support the community. Their organization branches and members have done work in public schools, organized hurricane relief, and collaborated in support of numerous community groups around New England. District Council 35 is an organization of approximately 4000 members in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. District Council 35 is committed to serving the interests of members and those unrepresented workers who hope to join. The DC 35 is determined to continue to ensure the best wages and benefits in the industries. The organization's mission is to represent members for purposes of collective bargaining, to organize workers in a variety of occupations, and to advocate for workers and their families. For more information about IUPAT DC 35, please visit http://iupatdc35.org/.

December 4: Hearing on proposed Nay Street Marijuana Establishment

Notice of Public Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a Community Outreach Meeting for a Proposed Marijuana Establishment is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018  
Time: 6:20 PM 
Location: EB High School: 86 White Street, East Boston, MA 02128

The Proposed Marijuana Establishment is anticipated to be located at: 

17 Nay Street, East Boston, MA 02128

There will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

If you have any questions about this meeting or have comments about the proposal please contact:

J. Jesús García 
Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
jose.garcia-mota@boston.gov
617-635-2681

Please note, the city does not represent the owner(s)/developer(s)/attorney(s). The purpose of this meeting is to get community input and listen to the residents’ positions on this proposal. This flyer has been dropped off by the proponents per the city’s request.

Mayor Walsh, Commissioner Gross Announce Recipients of 2019 Boston Youth Development Fund: East Boston's Zumix on List with Roca's EB Youth Initiative

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross today announced the recipients of Boston's Police Youth Development Fund. The City of Boston has doubled last year's funding, and this year, $500,000 will go to the Youth Development Fund, which provides $25,000 to 20 organizations which work to provide development programs for Boston's youth, ensuring they have access to programs that give them more opportunities to thrive and succeed. In addition, the City has applied for funding through the Commonwealth's Shannon Community Safety Initiative to further support multidisciplinary approaches to curb youth violence through coordinated prevention and intervention programs.

"In Boston, we work every day to make sure our young people are lifted up, and given every opportunity to succeed. That means through education, through development programs, and through having a safe, stable environment that will give them the resources and opportunities they need," said Mayor Walsh. "The Boston Police are a major partner in this, and I'm proud that today we're able to fund 20 great organizations that will make a lasting difference in the lives of Boston's youth for years to come."

Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the Boston Police Department has prioritized community policing as an effective way to reduce crime, while building trust with the community. The Boston Police Department received national recognition from the Obama Administration in 2015 as being one of the top cities in the nation that is leading the way on community policing. Earlier this year, Mayor Walsh announced the formation of the Bureau of Community Engagement at the Boston Police Department, which is charged with overseeing a citywide effort to further strengthen community policing in Boston, and focused on ways to build relationships and trust between law enforcement and residents, creating new and innovative partnerships, and promoting inclusion and diversity within the department. Commissioner Gross appointed Superintendent Nora Baston to serve as Bureau Chief for the Bureau.

"As Commissioner, my number one goal to ensure all residents in Boston are safe -- and that includes Boston's young people," said Commissioner Gross. "We have the biggest opportunity to change lives by providing resources and support to Boston's youth, and through these programs, we are able to positively impact lives and create a better city for all."

As part of Boston's overall community policing strategy, the Boston Police Department prioritizes relationships with youth and the community as the key to building trust and creating safe neighborhoods. This starts with an emphasis on daily interactions on the streets and in school classrooms, and includes proactive prevention and diversion for at-risk youth and their families. In addition, the department provides positive pathways for our youth through programs such as Operation Exit and My Brother's Keeper. The BPD has strong partnerships and year-round district activities with residents through Coffee with A Cop, National Night Out, youth and police dialogues, teen police academy, flashlight walks, Shop with a Cop, and more.

"Our community is a caring one, one who seeks the best for its children, but caring for our youth comes with many responsibilities - not only from our families but through neighborhood partnerships and person to person interactions," said Candice D. Gartley, executive director All Dorchester Sports and Leadership. "All Dorchester Sports and Leadership sees their role in the community not only as a place to provide athletic activities and academic opportunities but also as a place for children to feel safe and cared for near their homes. With the City's help and the  Mayor's steadfast commitment of these grant dollars to organizations such as ADSL, we will continue to build and create more opportunities for youth and young adults in our organization and our city."      

"I was thrilled to make the Youth Development Fund my initial budget ask in my first term and am delighted to partner with Mayor Walsh to support the Fund and Shannon Grant to help dozens of programs expand their capacity to serve, empower, and educate our young people," said City Council President Andrea Campbell. "The jobs, skills, and relationships young people build through these programs are critical to breaking cycles of inequity, especially for young people of color, and ensuring they reach their God-given potentials."

A full list of recipients for the Youth Development Fund grants are as follows, with each recipient receiving a $25,000 grant:

•     All Dorchester Sports & Leadership - Educational Enrichment Programs

•     BalletRox - BalletRox

•     Boston Scores - Leadership in Action

•     Center for Teen Empowerment - Teen Empowerment Boston

•     Crossroads - Crossroads C5 Leaders

•     Dorchester Youth Collaborative - Focus and Finish After School Program

•     Friends of the Children-Boston - Long-Term, Professional Mentoring for the Highest-Risk Girls/Young Women

•     Madison Park Development Corporation - Soheil Turner Youth Leadership Institute- After School and Summer Youth Employment Programs

•     More Than Words - Youth Development Job Training for System-Involved Youth

•     Playworks New England - Playworks Junior Coach Leadership Program

•     Project RIGHT, Inc. - Grove Hall Youth Outreach Connection

•     Rehearsal for Life, Inc. - Urban Improv

•     Roca, Inc. - Roca's East Boston Central American Youth Initiative

•     Roxbury Youthworks, Inc. - Gaining Independence for Tomorrow (GIFT)

•     Shooting Touch - Getting Girls in the Game (G3)

•     Sociedad Latina - STEAM Team

•     Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center - HEY Sister

•     Teen Center at St. Peter's, Catholic Charities of Boston - Teen Center at St. Peter's, Focus Groups for Middle School Girls

•     Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center - Connections

•     ZUMIX - ZUMIX Creative Youth Development Programs

Source: Mayor's Press Office 11/27/2018