Join the Social Equity Campaign Donate & Double Your Impact
|
The
Social Equity Campaign is SCC's initiative to ensure Somerville remains accessible to its diverse population. There are many changes coming, and it is our goal
that people of all incomes can benefit from these new amenities.
A donation to SCC through the state's CITC program will not only be matched, but you'll get 50% back in your pockets.
What is CITC?
CITC is a tax credit designed to attract support for Community Development Corporations, like SCC, and to help increase the scale of their impact.
Contributors who give at least $1,000 are eligible for a refundable tax credit 50% the value of their donation.
|
Financial Literacy
Next Class Begins October 27th
|
Our next morning Financial Literacy Class begins on October 27th!
Over the course of four weeks, participants will gain important information and skills to help them navigate their financial lives more successfully
. Graduates will receive a $200 stipend to get them started on a successful financial path!
Refreshments and childcare will be available.
Participants must:
- Pre-register
- Attend all 7 sessions AND 2 counseling sessions with SCC staff to successfully graduate
- Live and/or work in Somerville;
- Qualify under these income guidelines
|
First Time Homebuyer Class
Next Class Begins November 10
|
Our next First-Time Homebuyer Class begins on November 10th!
This 12-hour program will feature presentations by a real estate agent, a lender, a home inspector, a real estate attorney, and an insurance agent, in addition to SCC staff, providing everything you need to know before you start the process of buying your first home.
Upon completion, participants receive a certificate enabling them to access products geared towards first-time homebuyers, such as the
ONE Mortgage.
Participants must:
- Pre-register
- Attend all 4 sessions
Upcoming Classes:
- December 9th - 17th (Wednesdays and Thursdays)
____________________________
Register for Online Course
SCC is now offering THE ROAD HOME, an online homebuyer training!
The majority of the course is done in one's own time, but participants must attend one in-person session at the Somerville Community Corporation. This session is 2 hours long and is held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Upcoming Sessions:
- October 26
- November 19
- December 16
The course is $100 per individual.
|
AmeriCorps LISC Member Joins SCC's First Source Program
|
We are excited to welcome Ada Flores to the SCC and First Source team. A Somerville Resident and Jobs for Somerville Member, Ada began serving as our new AmeriCorps LISC member this month and will be will be focused on providing workshops and career counseling to residents of SCC's affordable housing complexes over the next ten months.
Ada enjoys being a bridge between people in the Somerville community and opportunities that would otherwise be more challenging for them to attain. Passionate about helping people find stability in their lives through employment as a means to prevent displacement, Ada looks forward to helping local residents achieve their goals or enter a program/career that will get them there. Over the next year, Ada also looks forward to increasing her Spanish speaking proficiency, and to get Rene to dance at our next staff meeting.
|
Upcoming Events & Meetings
|
Our numerous groups and committees meet regularly and are open to newcomers!
_________________________
Click on the calendar below to learn more about meetings and events coming up:
|
|
|
|
|
Riding off the coattails of the 181 Washington Street Groundbreaking last month, SCC's Glen Street Home Ownership project is moving ahead to be the next development to offer affordable housing to the Union Square neighborhood. This complements the efforts being made through our
Social Equity Campaign
and organizing work to push for a 20% requirement of all new housing units to be affordable throughout the City.
Beyond this, SCC is thrilled to continue building our partnerships through our First Source Jobs program, and we welcome two new staff members who will be dedicating their efforts to address the career service needs of our members.
Continue reading to learn about other SCC project and campaign updates, and how to get involved.
Consider giving back to Somerville with a donation today
From all of us at SCC, thank you for your support
|
Glen Street Home Ownership Project
on Track to Begin in Near Term
|
The 163 Glen Street adaptive reuse of the former East Somerville American Legion post is headed towards a construction closing before the year's end.
The project involves saving the existing post building and adding two new stories to create ten new two-bedroom units and one new three-bedroom unit for sale to homebuyers as condominiums.
- Four units will be sold to and permanently restricted for households earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) at $180,000 each;
- Four units will be sold to and permanently restricted for households earning up to 100% of AMI, ranging in price from $240,000 to $289,000 each; and
- Three units will be sold at market rate.
The project financing includes commitments of City of Somerville HOME, Community Preservation Act, and Housing Trust Funds. SCC is currently working with East Boston Savings Bank for construction financing. The project is almost adjacent to the planned Washington Street Green Line Extension stop and a short walk from two schools. This project will provide scarce affordable home-ownership opportunities to Somerville residents.
For more information about this project, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 617-776-5931 x 227.
|
|
|
163 Glen Street Project Rendering
|
|
Fall Festivities for Social Equity in Somerville
|
Over the past month, Nancy Bernhard and Bill and Carolyn Taylor graciously hosted House Parties to help us raise money toward our 2015 Social Equity goal of $300,000! These have been wonderful events to bring the community together interested in making an impact in Somerville.
|
|
| Social Equity Supporters at Nancy Bernhard's House Party, Sep 2015 |
This past week, on October 20th, we hosted an information session for CPAs and financial planners to learn more about the mechanics of CITC, and how this can be a great tool for their clients. Presenters included Joe Kriesberg, President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC); Matt Troiano of AAFCPAs: and Mark Goldberg, CPA.
 To date, we have a raised a total of $97,000 in cash and pledges toward our goal of $300,000!
Thank you to all of our generous 2015 donors:
Fred Berman and Lori Segall
Nancy Bernhard and David Margolin
Boston Private Bank
Ed Cashwell
Ilene Cohen
Dellbrook Construction
Janine Fay
Mark Goldberg
Todd Kaplan
Klein-Hornig
Diane Masters
Kathleen McCormick
Daniel and Tammy McKanan
Joseph Procopio
Rita Schwantes
There is still work to be done, and you can help us while having fun along the way.
Mark your calendars for a "Social Equity Social" at Thalia Tringo's, 128 Willow Avenue, on November 10th, 6:30-8pm. Bring your neighbors and friends!
If you are interested in participating in any of these events, please be in touch.
If you can't join us at one of our gatherings, we are always appreciative of individual gifts. Every contribution makes a huge impact in moving us closer to our social equity goals for Somerville.
Let's keep Somerville diverse and affordable!
|
|
|
SCC's Danny LeBlanc and Board Member Jillian Moreira
introducing the Social Equity Campaign at the CPA Breakfast, Oct 2015
|
For more information, please contact Meridith at [email protected] or 617-776-5931 x242.
|
AHOC Introduces Petition for
More Affordable Housing in Somerville
|
 On October 5, Affordable Housing Organizing Committee (AHOC) members turned in a petition of 522 to the City Clerk. The petition calls for a 20% of units in all new housing developments to be affordable, and for priority to be given to Somerville residents at risk of displacement. AHOC members have been gathering signatures online, in their neighborhoods, and at community events. Thanks to everyone who signed!
The Board of Aldermen took up the proposal on October 8. We had strong testimony from an AHOC member and 7 of the aldermen voiced their support for the proposal. There will be a public hearing scheduled by the Land Use Committee and Planning Board later this fall to hear testimony. Hope to see you all there!
For more information about this campaign and AHOC, please contact Rene at [email protected] or 617-776-5931 x226.
|
F
irst Source News & Upcoming Events
|
This Fall, First Source continues to partner with The Welcome Project to provide mon
thly work
readiness workshops and services to advanced ESOL students. Staff conducted a Cover Letter Writing workshop in October, and will hold Resume Writing and Interview Skills workshops in November.
We are happy to introduce Sara Dillingham as the new Youth Specialist from The Career Place in Woburn. She previously served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, before working as a Youth Counselor for nearly two years. She will be at SCC part time, providing career counseling for First Source Participants with a focus on our youth participants.
Are you a Somerville resident looking to pick up some practical career building skills? Then consider learning more about the Somerville First Source Jobs Initiative, and the upcoming opportunities we have available below.
__________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
First Source Interviewing Skills Workshop
October 27th, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
November 17th, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
November 17th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM (Welcome Project)
Do you have a hard time getting ready for a job interview? Is it difficult for you to answer the interview questions with confidence and assertiveness? This workshop offered by a professional in career development will help you to feel more prepared. Join us!
Registration Required
First Source Job Seeker Support Group
October 29th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
November 11th, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
The Job Seekers Support Group is a space for job seekers to share their experiences in the job search process and networking with other job seekers. This will also be a time for non-native English speakers to practice their language skills in a safe and comfortable environment.
Registration Required
First Source Resume Writing Workshop at Haitian Coalition
November 4th, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
November 4th, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Are you looking for a job? Can you use some help making yourself stand out among the rest? Come learn how to create a professional resume that will help you get the job you're looking for. This workshop will be led by First Source staff at the
Haitian Coalition
.
Registration is required
First Source CPR/First Aid Training
November 13th, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost:
$50
In partnership with The Welcome Project, The First Source Jobs Program will be offering a CPR/First Aid Training on Friday, November 13th.
Instruction will be provided by
CPR Boston
, which is affiliated with The American Heart Association.
Whether you work with children, seniors or anyone in between, you should be prepared for any situation. CPR Boston can give you the tools that could one day save a life.
Registration Required
For all workshops, childcare and interpretation services in Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole will be provided upon request.
|
First Source Employer Highlight
|
This past August, Union Square Donuts (USD) contacted First Source staff regarding job opportunities they were having difficulty filling; shifts are scheduled to begin before the MBTA begins its daily service.
Staff screened clients in the
First Source Talent Bank
who were interested in food services and referred interested clients to apply. The end result was a total of three First Source clients hired by USD this fall!
Pictured below, Blanca Guevara and Parbati Luitel, are two of the First Source participants hired as Production Assistants at USD. Both Blanca and Parbati are excited to be working full time, earning a decent wage and be part of a growing local company.
|
|
|
First Source clients, Blanca Guevara and Parbati Luitel,
in their new roles as Production Assistants at Union Square Donuts
|
For more information about First Source Jobs, please contact Laura at [email protected]
or 617-776-5931 x237.
|
|
