The Charlestown Coalition News: 
Issue 32
April 2019
 Youth Advocacy in Action
Thanks to Councilor Lydia Edwards  and the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA ), a member of Turn It Around will occupy the FIRST EVER youth seat on a BPDA Impact Advisory Group (IAG) for the Bunker Hill housing redevelopment in Charlestown.
 
On April 10th Turn It Around group members met at City Hall to learn about community planning and development and the work that takes place across Boston.
 
This  is a historic moment for youth and for Charlestown as we tap into the power of community voice and collective action. We are grateful to Councilor Edwards who not only believes in the power and wisdom of young people, but takes action to make change happen.


5th Annual Turn It Around Basketball Tournament
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, we are hosting our 5th Annual Turn It Around Basketball Tournament. This tournament is open to all middle and high school aged youth who are residents of Charlestown and is part of our effort to create healthy and unifying opportunities for young people in our community
 
The tournament takes place on Saturday from 10 am-4 pm at the Charlestown Community Center and consists of a series of 3-on-3 games. Participants are also invited to a dinner and community building activity the night before--Friday, May 3rd, from 6 to 8 pm at the local YMCA.


Funding Opportunities
The CHEq Initiative is designed to advance child health equity through place-based collective impact approaches. Boston Children's Hospital will first provide up to six (6) one-year planning grants of up to $150,000 to neighborhood or geography based, cross-sector coalitions or collaboratives (emerging or existing) that are committed to improving the health and well-being of children and families experiencing health disparities. Click here for more information. 

SMART CHOICES of Charlestown
Established in 1992, the Smart Choices Program is designed to strengthen the capacity of agencies located in Charlestown to meet the health and human service needs of the community. Over $4.5 
million dollars has been invested in the community since its inception.
The goal of Smart Choices is to help community-based organizations address the health priorities of the community and to work together to increase their impact and reach.
Application Deadline: 12pm, Noon of Friday, May 24, 2019
Award Amount: One year grants up to $25,000 have been awarded annually. The total amount to be allocated in 2019 is up to $180,000.
Funding period: July 2019 - May 2020
Questions: Amanda Ayers, Director, Investments in Health
AAyers@hria.org or 617-279-2261

Funding for 1 year will be awarded to organizations:
  • Serving the Charlestown community.
  • Delivering programming that is responsive to the needs of the community.
  • That provide outreach to hard to engage populations.
  • Or groups of applicants who believe they can make a positive impact on youth and families.
Additional consideration will be given to those proposals that address one or more of the health priorities outlined in the 2015 & 2016 Community Health needs Assessment Reports & Implementation Plans. 

Please find the assessments at:

Second Chance and Reentry Week
Coalition Director, Sarah Coughlin, will be speaking on two panels on the 21st and 22nd of May among these dedicated changemakers across the City of Boston.


 
6th Anniversary Balloon Release for Steven Jones
The 6th Annual Balloon Release is to remember and celebrate the precious life of Steven Jones who died at the age of 21 in a senseless act of gun violence in Charlestown on May 7th, 2013. Each year on the anniversary of his death, Steven's friends and family gather together to remember his life and support one another as they release balloons in his memory.
This year's balloon release will take place at Eden Street Park on May 7th at 6 pm in front of the park bench that bears Steven's name. 


 
Peace Park Clean-Up!
Join us on May 18th from 11 am-2 pm at the Mt. Vernon St. Plaza as we clean, mulch and plant flowers at the Charlestown Peace Park. Please email Ginaya at Ggreene-Murray@Partners.org or meet us there! We hope to see you then!

CHART Celebration
Please join us in celebrating those who have recently completed the
Charlestown Chart Specialized Drug Session
at
The Charlestown Division of Boston Municipal Court Department
on
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 1:30 PM
 
Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross
will be addressing the celebrants.
Reception to follow.
 
Please RSVP by May 10, 2019, with Chief Probation Officer Michelle Williams @ michelle.williams@jud.state.ma.us or call (617) 241-5251

New resource for the 
Charlestown community 

Turn It Around :
Youth of the Month
Mawuko Attivor
Mawuko is our April Turn It Around Youth of the Month. "Mawuko has been active and involved in EVERYTHING we have done this month--from our inspiring trip to City Hall to meet with City Councilor Lydia Edwards, volunteering to help with First Church's Annual Easter Egg Hunt,and taking part in our week-long driver's ed class during his April vacation. Mawuko is always at Turn It Around meetings with a smile on his face and a positive attitude. He definitely leads by example."

-Mswati Hanks (Youth Prevention 
Coordinator)




Voices of Recovery
Rebekah Cole
Rebekah Cole is sharing his journey in recovery with us this month.


Click below for the full interview.



Get Connected, Stay Informed
To learn more about our programs, our staff, community partners, resources, upcoming events,  Turn It Around , program impact, and more, click the button below:





Charlestown Coalition  | MGH Center for Community Health Improvement  
617-726-0059 |  scoughlin1@partners.org

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