The Charlestown Coalition News: 

Issue 58

June 2021

Community Events: Bunker Hill or Bust &

Parade Day Car Parade

Our typical parade may not have happened this year, but this town made sure the festivities and celebrations did! During the Bunker Hill or Bust Block Party, Turn It Around and Charlestown Coalition's Trauma Team hosted a table and gave out community resources and candy. The TIA youth also walked in the Car Parade in support of unifying community events.

Special thank you to our public officials and those running for office who came out to interact with our Turn It Around youth during the Bunker Hill Block Party!

Thank you for all your work and dedication to improving our amazing city!

Turn It Around Graduation Celebration

Our Class of 2021 celebration was more than just a graduation party. After all we’ve been through during this pandemic, we have so much to celebrate, and doing it together in person meant so much!

We couldn’t be any more proud of the seniors and middle school students for their determination to graduate. It is not an easy achievement by any means, but especially challenging during this time in history.

Congratulations to our high school graduates -- Ibrahim, Ryan, Kevon, Sierra, Ariana, and Darianny -- as well as our middle school graduates -- Kyla, Caiden, Lizzy, and Ana. You did it, and your hard work deserves to be celebrated!

Click here to listen to high school graduate Ibrahim Balde discuss his experience as a Turn It Around Youth Leader at MGH'S Center for Community Health Improvement Class of 2021 Youth Program's Graduation Ceremony.

Turn It Around Youth Program Update

Say goodbye to "Zooms" because Turn It Around (TIA) is now meeting in person every week at 4:30 PM at First Church in Charlestown (10 Green St.)!

Turn It Around's Summer Enrichment Program will begin during the 1st week of July. The program will run for 6 weeks and include a super fun educational experience where the kids will learn about art, music, theatre, science, outdoor exploration with fishing, hiking, trips to the Boston Harbor Islands, as well as camping. There will also be a “professional development” aspect where workplace skills and etiquette are taught, including interviewing skills. As TIA youth have said in the past, get ready for the best summer yet!

Woman's Recovery

The Women of Worth (WOW) COVID Defiance Group which just celebrated its one-year anniversary in June is meeting every Saturday at 10:30 am at the Charlestown High Football field in the grass area.

During the winter months, the group meets inside at First Church Charlestown.

The Charlestown "Loony Noony" resumed its meetings indoors at First Church in Charlestown starting July 1st - Monday-Friday at 12 pm.

Race & Equity Discussion

at the Charlestown Peace Park

Join us on Tuesday, July 13^th, for our monthly Race & Equity Discussion at the Charlestown Peace Park. This series explores important topics about the impact of race, policing in urban settings, and equity. It is open to all members of the Charlestown community and the general public.

This forum is being co-sponsored by the Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around Youth Program, and City-Councilor Lydia Edwards and her team.

*In the event of rain, this will become a virtual event and a Zoom link will be provided.

An Inspiration to Us All

One incredibly inspiring Turn It Around Youth Leader and high school graduate that we’d like to recognize and celebrate is, Ryan Williams.

Just weeks before his graduation ceremony, Ryan was in a tragic car accident that nearly took his life.

Despite being in pain, Ryan was determined to receive his hard-earned diploma with the rest of his class and he did just that on June 21st.

Ryan has been a part of the Turn It Around youth program since 2019. He is one of the best young leaders ever to join. He has an uncanny ability to relate to, and connect with, anyone he meets. He definitely leaves a positive impression on anyone, young and old alike, whom he meets. His wide range of interests and hobbies affords him the ability to expound on a myriad of subjects. But his maturity and well-mannered nature are what impresses most. Whenever we need someone to represent the program, Ryan has always been one of our “go-to's.” There’s no doubt that this young man will do amazing things with his life, so let’s give him the encouragement and support he needs right now to get through this difficult time.

Ryan, you are a strong, intelligent, and brave young man, and we know that this chapter will not define you. We love you, congratulate you, and will be there to support you during this challenging time.

To support Ryan, visit Bit.ly/supportryanw

PLAN: Charlestown Mapping Tool

As part of the ongoing neighborhood-wide planning initiative, PLAN: Charlestown, there is a new and fun engagement tool. Map.social Charlestown is an interactive mapping tool to help create and identify planning priorities across your community. The tool helps facilitate the community's input and vision, and the BPDA is encouraging Charlestown stakeholders to participate. The tool will be available to the community during PLAN: Charlestown through Labor Day of this year. You can use the tool by visiting map.social/Plan-Charlestown or taking a picture of the QR code below. Should you have any questions or want to learn more about

 PLAN: Charlestown, you can reach out to Jay Ruggiero at jason.ruggiero@boston.gov

Highlighting Our Community Partnerships:

North Suffolk Mental Health Association

Our community partners are critical in helping us tackle the most difficult issues that the community faces. By enlisting multiple partners (residents, police, schools, healthcare, faith-based organizations, and the business community), we use a collective impact approach to problem-solving. Our ultimate goal is to effect change and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in Charlestown.

This month's partner is North Suffolk Mental Health Association. The Charlestown Coalition has been utilizing many of the great services offered through North Suffolk Mental Health Association since 2009 when the coalition, formally known as the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition, hired its first outreach worker to help those living with substance use disorders. It was in 2013 when the partnership grew at the beginning stages of the Charlestown Drug Court, now known as Charlestown Recovery Court. 

North Suffolk joined the Charlestown Recovery Court Treatment Team which includes addiction counselors and recovery coaches who work with the Recovery Court team to navigate the treatment systems, making sure participants get referred to the appropriate level of care while supporting each participant in their recovery. North Suffolk also provides a weekly recovery pathways group for recovery court participants before the recovery court session. They are a partner who we truly believe understands our mission and is instrumental in transforming lives.

If you've partnered with us, we'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email with details of how we've worked together along with any photos (if you have them), and we will share on our social media platforms. Let's show the community what great collaborations we've had with amazing organizations like yours!

Charlestown Family Support Circle Update

The Family Support Circle Task Force ended its race and equity discussion series this month. I want to thank all the task force members for their participation, honesty, and ability to be vulnerable throughout this process. Over the course of the last six months, it's been an honor and a privilege to hear everyone's stories. I appreciate each of you for your willingness to lean into uncomfortable conversations with an open heart and mind. Also, taking time out of your busy and sometimes hectic schedules to explore your own biases and privileges, which by no means is an easy task especially among colleagues. In addition, examining the role systemic racism plays in all our lives and those we serve in the community. Although our discussion series is over, we are committed to learning and doing more to address the inequities we see in the Charlestown community. At our next task force meeting on July 6th, we will review the recommendation from the race and equity discussion series with the larger task force. Our goal for that meeting will be to create action steps for our work plan to address inequities and tackle racism within the community but also personally and within our agencies. If you were unable to attend the race discussions but would still like to learn more or create discussion groups throughout your networks, please feel free to review the questions and activities below from our sessions.  For more information or to RSVP for the next FSC Task Force meeting, email Phenice Zawatsky at pzawatsky@partners.org

January Discussion Questions: 

When were you first aware of your race? What do you remember from your childhood about how you made sense of human difference? If you have kids, is it different for them today than your own experiences? 

February Discussion Questions:

What stereotypes influenced the way you see yourself or how others see you? How have stereotypes impacted your race framework? What aspect of your race and/or ethnic identity makes you proud? Have you ever experienced a situation where your racial or ethnic identity seemed to contribute to a problem or uncomfortable situation?  

March Discussion Questions: 

What does the American Dream mean to you, and do you think it’s achievable for everyone?  

April Discussion Questions:

Has privilege played a role in your life and if so, how? 

May Discussion Question: 

After watching these videos what emotions or thoughts came up for you? How could you choose to use your own privilege to benefit others? 

Cracking the Codes: Joy DeGruy, A Trip to the Grocery Store 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvU7uUgjUI&list=PLrMqXQ2J_13tBCDSP0NwUfzy-9RtM0HAU&index=6 

Students Learn a Powerful Lesson About Privileges  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KlmvmuxzYE&list=PLrMqXQ2J_13tBCDSP0NwUfzy-9RtM0HAU&index=4 

June Discussion Questions:

How has this past year and the race discussions influenced you? How are you different and/or how have you grown?  

How can we as providers use our privileges and positions to support people in our families, communities, and in Charlestown? What are some action steps we are currently taking or can take as a task force to enhance equity within Charlestown?  

How will you live up to the mission of social justice, either in your personal life, professional life, and/or social life?  

For more information about the Family Support Circle or to refer someone to the program, please contact Phenice Zawatsky at 617 838-6522 or by email at Pzawatsky@partners.org. 

Mission Accomplished:

Ginaya's Send-off

As you may have heard, one of our staff (aka coalition family members) is preparing for her next adventure. For the past four years, Ginaya has been on an incredible journey working for MGH’s Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI) at the Charlestown Coalition. And even though it is bittersweet for Ginaya to move on in her career, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate all she's accomplished at the Coalition.

Please join us on July 15th at 5 pm at First Church in Charlestown to wish her well in her new season of life.

"Throughout my time at the coalition, I have learned so many valuable lessons working alongside some of the most inspiring, compassionate, and intelligent human beings that I’ve come across. As well as becoming an instrument of positive change, helping to unify the diverse populations within my hometown, I’ve matured in unexpected ways, so much so that it’s hard to truly express my gratitude for this experience. And even though this chapter is coming to an end, the Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around program and youth, and the Charlestown community will always be near and dear to my heart. Having been able to serve the community that raised me is a blessing I will always cherish. The relationships, connections, and partnerships that I’ve made along the way will continue to be honored as I transition into a new role for another amazing community-focused organization. And, I am so thankful to be able to take the wisdom I've gained working with so many incredible and talented young people and apply it to my next profession.

Thank you MGH, CCHI, Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around, and Charlestown for the opportunity to make a lasting impact on my neighborhood and myself! Charlestown is a better place because of the coalition's presence in the community!"

-Ginaya Greene Murray

Steering Committee Meeting

August 31st

from 12 PM -1:30 PM

Meetings are held virtually until further notice.

Contact Sarah Coughlin for more information.

Trauma Response Team

Sept. 7 at 5:30 PM

Meetings are held virtually until further notice. Contact

Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

Charlestown Family Support Task Force 

Sept. 7 at 12 PM

Meetings are held virtually until further notice. Contact

Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

To learn more about our programs, our staff, community partners, resources, upcoming events, Turn It Around, program impact, and more, click below: