Spanish

To serve as a resource for improving the physical, mental and social well-being of the community. *** We opened our doors in 1979 with a dream: to build the best urban community in America. As part of this dream, we recognized that though health care begins by alleviating sickness, the journey to a true "culture of health" is achieved through the health of the whole person, and through the health of the whole community.  Our two-physician staff that summer of 1979 may have been small, but our mantra was not: while disease is a lack of health, health is not simply a lack of disease.

Today, with a staff of 280 employees, expert clinicians and medical staff, and an astounding depth and breadth of community programs, we believe that we are on our way toward reaching our dream of building the best urban community in America. The Codman Square Health Center is committed to continued progress and we hope you will join us in fulfilling our vision of a culture of health in our community.

United Way was built on the idea that if we are to make meaningful, lasting change, we have make it easier for these efforts to come together. To make the greatest impact possible, United Way aligns a network of more than 200 independent health and human service under the same set of community goals.

- Children will be nurtured and enter school ready to learn.
- Youth will have adult guidance and positive options for the future.
- Families will have safe permanent homes, and the skills and opportunities to build better futures.

United Way also supports 2-1-1, a free and confidential helpline for people looking to connect to health or human services. Need help with basic needs, mentoring or other services? Dial 2-1-1 from any phone.

Countdown to Kindergarten engages families, educators and the community in a citywide effort to enhance early learning opportunities and to support the transition into kindergarten. Mayor Menino, the Boston School Committee and Superintendent Johnson partner with 28 local organizations to implement a school readiness campaign that helps families participate actively in their children's education right from the start, understand the value of kindergarten, and learn how to choose schools and then register in the Boston Public Schools (BPS). In Boston, our work has promoted teacher collaboration on school readiness issues; doubled the percent of families visiting schools to make informed registration decisions; and increased the percentage of children who enter BPS at kindergarten rather than first grade. It has also resulted in more schools being ready to engage families.

Greater Four Corners Action Coalition works to promote neighborhood stabilization in the Four Corners Community of Dorchester, Massachusetts. This is accomplished by adressing the issues of crime and safety, through organizing residents, providing positive opportunities for youth, promoting economic development and collaborating with others. Our priority roles are: Organizer, Service Provider, and Collaborator/Supporter of other efforts.GFCAC is in the forefront of the change in local community organizing. Organizations are collaborating to effect regional planning and create standing policies so as not to have to put out the same fires over and over again. Our current work reflects this new direction. We also aim to address issues of transportation, environmental and economic justice. GFCAC spearheaded efforts to bring improved transportation services to the Four Corners community, advocating for new stops on the Fairmount line.

Launched in 1990 with 28 young people in a church basement, YBB was the first replication of the YouthBuild model outside of New York. The mission of YouthBuild Boston Inc. (YBB) is to improve opportunities for young people of Boston by teaching skills that will equip them to support themselves and help develop personal and neighborhood responsibility. The guiding principle of YBB is "Youth or young adults, when treated as valuable resources, will realize that they can be partners in rebuilding their community". YBB realizes that the difficulties that young people face must be overcome by addressing the terrible and overwhelming lack of empowerment that they often feel. These feelings are reinforced by a society that views them as part of the problem, and not the solution. YBB recognizes that these individuals are capable of and vital to improving their lives and the condition of their community. YBB has been successful since its inception. YBB, along with other agencies has contributed to the vibrancy of the community. Consistent funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, AmeriCorps, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, YouthBuild USA, the private foundation community, corporations, and individuals, has enabled us to serve Boston youth.