As a capstone to April’s Earth Day Celebrations, this third gathering of the Dorchester Civic Forum will discuss Environmental Justice in the Neighborhood, focusing specifically on three resident driven initiatives with our neighbors to promote goals of Zero Waste, Zero Emissions, and Zero Poverty.
The members of engaged community groups and civic associations that have been working in their neighborhoods on specific projects are sharing their stories, and we welcome others to join us to learn more. Elected officials and their staff are welcome to attend, listen, and answer specific questions.
This month's presenters:
1) The Bowdoin Geneva Residents Association is distributing large brown paper litter bags to hand out at your own neighborhoods’ Boston Shines events on May 2. The bags will be stamped with the new BGRA logo and a message urging everyone to help make Boston Shine all year long. Anyone can pick up a pile of stamped litter bags clipped together with the BGRA refrigerator magnets at the Forum. Many thanks to Ashley's Breakfast Shop for donating the bags!
2) The founder of Clean Up BOSTON will be introducing the organization and their hopes for living in a cleaner city. "Collectively, as citizens, we need to share a voice of a place we want to value and the quality of life we want all our citizens to enjoy no matter socio-economics. We need to find a vision for better habits, LITTER is a huge problem, especially in our neighborhoods. Lack of receptacles, lack of leadership, lack of vision, lack of respect to our neighborhoods. Boston Shines in Spring is only a start ..."
3) Tim Hall (Boston Workers Alliance & CERO) & Tolle Graham (MassCOSH) will give a presentation on their campaign to increase the wage and benefit standards for the Boston's recycling industry.
There is no admission fee and coffee and tea will be provided. A plate of snacks to share is welcome from those who can. The forum will end promptly at 9pm. Parking should be relatively available around both First Parish Dorchester & the Mather Elementary School, but walking or carpooling still encouraged if possible.
Presented jointly by Bowdoin Geneva Residents Association & First Parish Dorchester.
When: Friday, May 1st
7:00PM-9:00PM
Where: First Parish Church
10 Parish Street, Dorchester
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/670327463073923/
Don't miss the Little Miss & Young Miss Dorchester Contests! The contests will take place on May 11 at 2pm in First Parish Church (10 Parish Street in Dorchester). All girls entering the contest must be: residents of Dorchester, able to participate in the Dorchester Day Parade, able to provide a copy of their birth certificate if they win or are a runner-up, attach their response to one of the offered questions and read/recite it at the day of the contest, 7-12 years old on the day of the contest. For more info, call 617-474-0797 or email 
Spring Planting is coming in less than 2 weeks! The Green Neighbors Education Committee, Inc. and the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. present: Spring Planting 2013! This workshop will take place on March 9 from 1:30pm to 5:30pm at First Parish Church (10 Parish Street in Dorchester). Learn to grow food at your own home, in your yard, on your porch, inside your house, and more! This event is free!
Find Your Activist Support Group! The meeting will take place at 3pm on September 16. The First Parish Church (10 Parish St, Dorchester) will be hosting the event with light refreshments. The meetings are meant to support your studies, emotionally, respite, and effectiveness. To RSVP, email 
Want to show off your square dancing skills? Want to just learn how? First Parish Church will be holding their Annual Square Dance on April 28, 2012 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Dancers of all ages and experience will be joining together under the guidance of New England Dance Caller, Tony Parkes! This event is for dancers of all ages. Tickets will be $10 each or $20 for a family. The Meetinghouse is located at 10 Parish Street in Dorchester. For more information about First Parish Church, visit their website 
