As the Covid-19 crisis engulfs East Boston, the YMCA's pursuit of community wellness shines through

Shifting gears, East Boston YMCA stays true to its mission: Community Wellness; Cargo Ventures' donation arrives at critical point for YMCA

The historic landmark building where the East Boston YMCA calls home is quiet. Its 2800 members remain at home and not at its Bremen Street facility or at its satellite location on Ashley Street.

The exercise classes are gone, for now. So are the teenagers who check in over the weekend for programs. The applications for the Y's summer camp are up for discussion. And so are the swimming lessons, the YMCA's traditional staple, blocks away at the Umana Academy. Like many other social service agencies, the YMCA is facing a loss of revenues to support its programs.

But the YMCA is far from closed. And it is certainly not down and out. It is ground zero for providing community support in a neighborhood that is severely swamped by the COVID-19. According to the Boston Public Health Commission, East Boston has the highest percentage of coronavirus cases in the city.

The austere brick building which was once the Boston and Albany engine house and located along the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway has emerged a critical center of activity not only distributing food but also providing child care for front line workers.

"We're the only child care facility in East Boston for front line workers for free of charge," notes YMCA Executive Director and East Boston native Joseph Gaeta. Moreover, the Y is spearheading food distribution, along with the City of Boston and Project Bread, to make sure children and families receive healthy meals during the pandemic here in Eastie.

"A lot of our parents are doctors, nurses, EMTs, UPS drivers, Post Office employees and Stop and Shop workers. All of these workers are essential. Being able to provide our front-line workers a safe place for their children while they support our community is very important to us at the Y."

Little did Gaeta know that he'd be leading relief efforts in a major health crisis in his hometown. "I worked my way through every job to be executive director," he said. "I don't ever expect to distribute personal protection equipment (PPE) and face masks."

The YMCA has always stressed health and wellness in its programs. Some of the ones now in a holding pattern include not only the group and personal exercise routines but the LiveStrong programs for cancer patients and diabetes control. The transition to providing nutrition is natural for the East Boston YMCA.

Some of the Y's members are still paying their dues so that they can keep the programs going. Members are aware their dues enable free programs to feed people. "They know the money is going to feeding children," explains Gaeta. They are also busy making calls to check up on fellow members.

But unfortunately, the needs increase.

"Right when we think we have a steady stream to fill the need, it doubles the next day," says Gaeta, "We serve about 20,000 meals a week just out of Bremen Street," says Gaeta.

"Sometimes we run out and have to turn people away or refer them to another partner. Because of the generous donation from our friends at Cargo Ventures we are able to fill gaps and extend our reach to families directly when we do run out of our daily meals."

Cargo Ventures, the industrial real estate and logistics firm, stepped up to the plate with a major donation to the Y just when the crisis broke. The Cargo Ventures donation enabled the Y to purchase gift cards for its members and the community.

"Cargo Ventures is pleased to help out this extraordinary organization," says Pat Capogreco, the firm's liaison to the community. "The staff members at the Y are working hard every day so that needy families in East Boston are fed. They are doing a tremendous job. As in East Boston resident and employee of Cargo Ventures, I am grateful that I can get help for the YMCA."

The YMCA is also using its resources to extend support beyond East Boston. Gaeta says its Ashley Street location has doubled up as a citywide kitchen staffed with two chefs that provide meals. The first chef also provides halal meals for East Boston's growing Muslim population while preparing 200 to 300 meals each time he cooks. The second chef is working with the city of Boston to produce 500 meals not only for East Boston but Dorchester and Roxbury.

"It's hard to figure out what's next," says Gaeta. He notes that the summer camp might take place during Phase 2 of the governor's reopening plan and maybe some semblance of normality not much later for online fitness, perhaps as early as June 29. The summer camp program draws 300 local kids.

The agency supports a pre-school program for 93 children, weekly programs for 75 seniors and afterschool programs for 200 children.

Teleconferencing online has kept everyone connected and in shape. Members have access to virtual fitness options that are streamed live and archived for usage on-demand.

Visit the East Boston YMCA's web site here.

You can support the Y with an online donation here.

Read more local news at Eastboston.com.

Photographs courtesy of the East Boston YMCA.

Answering the call in a crisis, East Boston Community Soup Kitchen delivers for families

Cargo Ventures pitches in when it matters

In 2016, Sandra Nijjar found herself without a job, a stark challenge for a resident where the cost of living in Boston increases every day. But unemployment wasn't an obstacle. If there was not a job out there for her, she came up with an idea and created one for herself although it was not a paying job but it certainly was a dream to help the most vulnerable in a more consistent manner.

However, after about four months of being unemployed, Nijjar was recalled from her previous employer as a seasonal and was given Tuesdays off and her pay was prorated so she could continue her soup kitchen's effort which she was not willing to give up on.

With a burning desire to help the neighborhood's homeless, she started the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. Located at the Our Savior Lutheran Church on Paris Street, Nijjar grew a food pantry and soup kitchen that today serves 40 to 50 men and 250 families. "The help from East Boston is overwhelming."

Despite the growing prosperity that comes with new development, people living with food insecurity are growing and sometimes in the shadows. "I noticed that we have a population of middle-aged men without families and without small children who are addicts and live on the streets; and pretty much without any help, particularly the undocumented folks."

The soup kitchen is more than just food, she says. "My goal is to use food as a tool where men can then be connected to the services they need to become sober."

The East Boston Soup Kitchen also does a lot of advocacy work for its patrons such as making connections to existing services in the area when folks need a shower, clean clothes, detox services and even help with health insurance paperwork.

She says that she is blessed to have the support of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the many volunteers that have lent a hand over the years. "Everyone is pitching in."

Nijjar says the key to success is not only to be welcoming but non-judgmental. "No one is perfect and everyone has a story." She notes that some of her patrons suffer from childhood trauma or mental illness. The turn-arounds are tinged with sadness. "Once they are sober I don't see them anymore."

Like most small community-based human service agencies, Nijjar makes a dollar stretch. She collects perfectly edible food from local restaurants. "We really don't waste food here."

That challenge of organizing, setting up and securing community support for the pantry nearly four years ago, pales in comparison to what she faces today: How to feed the homeless middle age men in the age of the coronavirus one of the neighborhoods most besieged by the novel disease. East Boston has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections and the virus has hit minorities the hard.

On March 10 the kitchen closed. But Nijjar's work didn't stop then even though she didn't report to a kitchen anymore. She started getting the word out to local organizations and supporters such as Resurrection Church.

Any work during the shutdown required funding. It was just as the city was putting its stay-at-home policy in place that Nijjar received a call from Pat Capogreco, community liaison for Cargo Ventures, who asked "'How can we help?'"

The industrial real estate and logistics firm kicked in much-needed cash.  Food that was once prepared, served and consumed in the church basement was now made available by vouchers, gift cards and references to local eateries such as Taco Mex, Meridian Food Market, La Casa Del Pandebono. Cargo Ventures picked up the tab for all the meals without asking how much the meals would cost.

"Cargo Ventures is my life-saving angel to say the least. They reached out the first day we closed," says Nijjar.

"As an East Boston resident and Cargo Venture employee I'm very happy to be in a position to help out the soup kitchen which is helping people in the community who are in need," notes Capogreco.

Such help is inspiration for the future. Nijjar would like a more permanent place for the soup kitchen on this side of the Boston Harbor. Even though East Boston is a highly desirable place to live, it remains isolated. That makes it harder for the vulnerable who have to find their way to downtown Boston.

Competition for real estate is fierce but the East Boston Soup Kitchen has proved that it can overcome any crisis. By being there in the most trying crisis in modern times for the people who need it most, Nijjar, her band of volunteers, network of eateries and supporters like Cargo Ventures, have the will to make it happen.

"Sandra is very dedicated in her cause working hard to help people," says Capogreco.

To learn more about the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen, visit its website here.

Conexions 20th Anniversary Event: June 16

On June 16th 2016 at 6p.m. on Waterside Way, East Boston, North Suffolk Mental Health Association (NSMHA) will host an event to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Conexions Evening, the successful substance misuse program that has saved more than 2,000 lives since its founding in 1996.

Conexions is North Suffolk Mental Health Association’s intensive outpatient addiction use program.  It uses group and individual therapy to help individuals maintain sobriety. Treatment options include medication assistance to block the effects of opioid drugs. 
 
This “refreshing evening” represents the first community fundraiser North Suffolk has hosted in 5 years, and will be held at one of the most spectacular locations in East Boston: Waterside Way. The outdoor venue will open at 6 PM on June 16th. Live music, outdoor games, ample selection of hors d’oeuvres, refreshing drinks and a breathtaking view will entertain guests while interacting and chilling out on a summer evening.

Tickets can be purchased at www.northsuffolk.org and are $35, sponsorship opportunities are also available. Tickets sold will help North Suffolk Mental Health Association maintain the Conexions program. 

Waterfront Way is located at the end of Lewis Wharf, near Maverick Square and offers free on-street parking.

Kiwanis Club to host guest speakers from Pace Elder Service Plan on March 15

The Kiwanis Club of East Boston will host guest speakers from the PACE Elder Service Plan at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center at the Kiwanis meeting set for Tuesday, March 15, starting at 6 p.m. at Spinelli’s Function Hall, Day Square in East Boston.

Trisha Diaz will lead the discussion of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) network, which enables adults age 55 and over to continue to live full and meaningful lives as their health needs change. PACE helps older adults in East Boston, the North End and surrounding communities stay healthy, active and independent in the place they call home.
      
The public is invited to attend by contacting a Kiwanis Club member, including club President-elect John Schwagerl at 617-592-6773, club Secretary Ed Coletta at 617-697-6179 or Director Marisa DiPietro at 617-650-3442.
     
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. The East Boston Kiwanis Club meets every first and third Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Spinelli’s in Day Square, East Boston.
 
Source: Ed Coletta

YMCA of Greater Boston’s Teen Director East Boston's J. Gaeta Honored with Community Call’s 2014 Young Leader Award

EAST BOSTON | East Boston resident and the YMCA of Greater Boston’s Association- Wide Director of Teen Programming, Joseph Gaeta, 31, will be awarded with Community Call’s 2014 Young Leader Award.

The award honors a young leader who has made a positive impact and whose civic, social, and community leadership sets an inspiring example to the community. Gaeta was chosen from dozens of candidates for his work helping to keep East Boston High School students in school and on track to graduate on time.

“When a student fails even one credited course their odds go up of not graduating on time, or worse, dropping out altogether,” says Gaeta. “In East Boston, the situation is even worse. More than 100 students are not moving up to the next grade and half of those students are expected to drop out. As someone from the community, who went to East Boston High, it’s important to me to help change the fate for these students.”

In partnership with East Boston High, Gaeta helped to launch a program at the East Boston Y to build a Credit Recovery (CR) Center for high school student on site. Students work at their own pace to recover missed credits they need to graduate. Since the CR Center opened its doors, 73 students participated and successfully completed 97 courses. This allowed fifteen at-risk students to graduate with the class of 2014.

Unlike the school setting where the majority of credit recovery programs are held, the air-conditioned CR Center at the Y is well equipped, comfortable and welcoming. An East Boston High guidance counselor is onsite, able to help students gain access to the online curriculum, problem solve and ensure that the students stay focused.  As an added incentive, a free unrestricted Y membership is provided to students who enroll in the program. A free, healthy snack is available for students as well.

During the summer of 2014, Gaeta also managed a summer program that provided free access to more than 800 activities for more than 10,000 teens across the City of Boston.

“One third of the population in Boston is under the age of 35, and each of these people has the power to make a difference in the community. The Community Call Young Leader Award is an opportunity to recognize someone who is in this group that sets an example of giving back,” said Carolyn Edwards, Executive Director of Community Call. “Joseph exemplifies someone who has taken the time to invest in his community with outstanding results and serves as a wonderful role model to our students.”

Community Call works to develop critical thinking, confidence and self-empowerment with Boston area at-risk high school students through community event planning. Students of Community Call are inspired to look beyond themselves and collaborate with their peers to identify a social need, develop a plan and produce an event that benefits the broader community. Students learn organizational, business, and life skills influencing all aspects of their lives.

The Community Call 2014 Young Leader Award is presented to provide role models to its students regarding the impact they can have on their community. The award was inspired by the work of community activist Lenny Zakim to help identify young role models. Presenting the award for
a second year is Lenny Zakim’s son, Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim.

The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Pegasystems’ Stand-Up Boston Comedy Challenge at Laugh Boston, 425 Summer Street, in Boston’s Seaport District.

About the YMCA of Greater Boston
The YMCA of Greater Boston is the state’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities.  Every day the Y works with thousands of men, women and children to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. With 13 branches in and around Boston, the Y partners with 250 organizations to meet unique needs of the communities it serves. The Y is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

About Community Call
Community Call's (www.communitycall.org) mission is to develop critical thinking, confidence, and self-empowerment with Boston area at-risk and opportunity high school students through community event planning. Our students are inspired to look beyond themselves and collaborate with their peers to identify a social need, develop a plan, and produce an event that benefits the broader community. Students learn organizational, business, and life skills influencing all aspects of their lives.  

Our enrichment program produces a variety of entirely student-run community events providing unparalleled opportunities to learn first-hand about business and leadership and giving back to the community. By using their passion, talents, and skills, these students are more likely to believe that they can make a difference in their community while making a difference in their own lives.

In Eastie, Mayor Walsh Announces Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee

Seeks to Double Enrollment of Four-Year-Olds in Pre-K Programs by 2018: EB Social Center's John Kelly appointed as member of advisory committee

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the formation of a Universal  Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee to recommend a city-wide strategic framework and action plan to double the enrollment of four-year-olds in high quality, full-day pre-kindergarten programs by 2018. Access to full-day pre-kindergarten with a certified teacher in a Boston Public School or in a community-based program is part of the city’s multi-year effort to improve the achievement of all Boston students and close the achievement gap by grade three.

“Pre-kindergarten programs ensure that all students start kindergarten ready to learn,” said Mayor Walsh. “Rather than spend time on remediation in education, we are investing in our youngest students to lay the groundwork for their long-term success and the long-term prosperity of Boston.”

To create the framework and action plan for the expansion of full-day pre-kindergarten programs, the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee will look at many factors including class space requirements, teacher qualifications, funding requirements, and potential partnerships for before school, after school, and summer wrap-around services. 

Thrive in 5, a partnership between the Mayor's Office and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and other community partners will conduct a series of stakeholder focus groups across Boston, and offer online surveys to gather input about the strengths and needs of all of the City’s neighborhoods for high-quality pre-kindergarten. The Advisory Committee will make its recommendations for a mixed delivery system to Major Walsh in November 2014.

There are approximately 6,000 four-year-olds living in Boston, and the population of four-year-olds is projected to grow to as many as 8,000 by 2030. Currently, approximately one-third of all four-year-olds (2,200) are in the nationally-recognized Boston Public School Pre-Kindergarten (K1) Program, while others attend community-based private programs.

An estimated 25 percent of all Boston four-year-olds do not attend a pre-kindergarten program. Mayor Walsh’s FY15 budget adds over 100 K1 seats for four-year-olds.

Research on early childhood programs with trained teachers and smaller teacher to student  ratios have been shown to yield benefits in increased MCAS performance, academic achievement, improved behavior, prevention of delinquency and crime, and labor market success. Boston’s K1 program has demonstrated significant gains for all students in their language, literacy and mathematics development, and reduces the achievement gap significantly between students by third grade.

2014 Mayor’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee

Co- Chairs

Jeri Robinson, Vice President for Education and Family Learning, Boston Children’s Museum*

Jason Sachs, Director of Early Childhood, Boston Public Schools*

Members

Noah Berger, President, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center

Danubia Campos, Parent[NK1]

Michelle Cannon, Parent

Sharon Scott Chandler, Executive Vice President, Action for Boston’s Community Development (ABCD)

Ana Crowley, Parent

Anne Douglass, Assistant Professor, Early Education and Care, UMass Boston

Betsy Drinan, Co-teacher, Boston Teachers Union School

Linda Dorcena Forry, 1st Suffolk District, Massachusetts Senate

Dominique Graham, Parent

Kimberly Haskins, Senior Program Officer, Barr Foundation*

Renee Boynton Jarett, MD, ScD, Founding Director, Vital Village Community Engagement Network

John Kelly, Executive Director, East Boston Social Centers

Mary Kinsella, Vice President of Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age

Programs, Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester

Suzanne Lee, Boston Public School Principal (Retired)

Michael Loconto, Member, Boston School Committee

Susan McConathy, Director, Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Nejat Sirag, Parent

Todd Rainville, General Partner, Symmetric Capital

Marchelle Raynor, Director (Retired), Head Start

Ayesha Rodriguez, 0-5 Manager, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative

Peg Sprague, Senior Vice President for Community Impact, United Way of Massachusetts Bay*

(Thrive in 5)

Marie St. Fleur, President and Chief Executive Officer, Betsy Tart Wilson Initiative for

Children

Jane Tewksbury, Esq., Executive Director, Thrive in 5* (Thrive in 5)

Robert Triest, Vice President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Eleonora Villegas-Reimers, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Education, Wheelock College

*Steering Committee Member