Community/Neighborhood Improvement

Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Initiative

Phone: 

(617) 534-2304

Fax: 

(617) 534-4688

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Grove Hall Peace Council: Meets last Wednesday of every month, except on holidays, August and December. 
Meets 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Family Resource Room at the Lilia G. Fredrick Pilot Middle School. For further info contact Nicole N. Flynt at Project R.I.G.H.T. (617)-541-5454 ext 105

Bowdoin Geneva VIP: Meets 1st Wednesday of every month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Bowdoin Street Health Center. Call Susan Young, Bowdoin/Geneva VIP coordinator at (617) 754-0023 for more information or email Syoung4@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Mission: 

The Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Initiative aims to prevent violence and promote positive youth development in the City of Boston through a commitment to active and genuine collaboration between youth, residents, community organizations, and city agencies. VIP seeks to implement conflict resolution and peer mediation skills training in schools and community centers, develop a youth-driven social marketing campaign, support community mobilization efforts in five high-need neighborhoods, and ensure access to out-of-school time opportunities for youth.

The neighborhoods are: Bowdoin St. / Geneva Ave.; Grove Hall; Morton St. / Norfolk St.; Orchard Gardens and ----? 

Location

BPHC Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative
1010 Massachusetts Avenue 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02118
United States
Key Partners: 

City of Boston, Boston Public Health Commission, Bowdoin Street Health Center (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), Dorchester Safe Neighborhood Initiative (SNI), 

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Contact the Office of Neighborhood Services to learn about Violence Prevention in your community. 

Do you want to get your child into safe after school programs?

Are you concerned about a student who is skipping school or has dropped out?

Are you looking for a job for youth or adults?

Do you need health insurance, want to find a doctor or have a health question?

  • Call The Mayor's Health Line  at 617-534-5050. We speak your language and the call is confidential.

Do you want to make your streets clean and safe?

Do you want help with a tight budget?

  • If you are at risk for homelessness or if you are having trouble providing food for your household, call the Shelter Commission at (617)-635-4507.
  • If you are at risk of having no heat in your home, call the No Heat Line at (617)-635-5322.
  • If you are a homeowner facing foreclosure on your home, contact theDepartment of Neighborhood Development at (617)-635-3880
  • If you are a renter and are having major difficulties with your landlord, contact the Rental Housing Resource Center at (617)-635-4200
  • If you need help with your taxes, call Boston Tax Help at 617-918-5275
Key Programs Offered: 
  • Neighborhood Peace Councils: Residents can join with local business, community leaders and city department staff to identify and address safety concerns
  • BPHC youth development specialists in each neighborhood assist w/ the coordination of social support services for youth and their families
  • Health Centers in targeted communities serve as nexuses for anti-violence programming
  • Liasions at various city departments respond to identified community concerns.
Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
05/17/2011

Greater Grove Hall Main Streets

Phone: 

617-427-2560

Mission: 

The Greater Grove Hall Main Streets is committed to supporting the Grove Hall area commercial district through marketing, technical assistance and organizing. GGHMS promotes Grove Hall's diverse business district while maintaining the neighborhood’s historical character. We encourage innovative and creative techniques for fostering economic development that enriches the lives of business owners, employees and residents of our community. 

Location

Greater Grove Hall Main Streets
320B Blue Hill Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02121
United States
Key Partners: 

Neighborhood Development Corporation of Grove Hall

Project Right Inc.

Quincy Geneva / New Vision

United Housing

Prince Hall Grand Lodge

Created: 
05/16/2011

R.O.C. Neighborhood Watch

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

ROC Neighborhood Watch meets at the True Vine Church, 40 Norfolk St., Dorchester from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Third Thursday of every month.

Mission: 

Make our community a safe place to live, persue life goals and raise family. Reduce the occurance of violent crime in our community. Increase community engagement. Provide ongoing activities and events to increase the unity and solidarity of our community 

Location

40 Norfolk Street
Dorchester, MA
United States
Key Programs Offered: 

ROC is about the business of maintaining a safe, clean, and closer community. Bringing back the good 'ol days when you knew who your neighbors were and you looked out for them!

We are changing mind sets one neighbor and one street at a time. We do not believe that we are alone, powerless, afraid and/ or cannot make the change necessary to solve the problem of violence on our streets!

We are made up of the residents from Norfolk St , Corbet St, Nelson St, Evans St, Crowell St, Dyer St, Stanton St, Thetford St, Capen St, Maxwell St, and Hopkins St.

Created: 
05/11/2011

Temple of Martial Arts

Phone: 

(508) 991-1519

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

 

   
    DAY   TIME   LEVEL / GROUP    
   

  Monday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Tuesday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Wednesday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Thursday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Advanced kids only    
   

  Saturday

  9:00 AM

10:00 - 11:30 AM
         Beginner

       Advanced
Mission: 

Temple of Martial Arts (TOMA) is a non-profit organization geared toward the inner-city youth. Martial arts classes are a great way for children to release extra energy in a safe and constructive environment. The highly trained staff at the Temple of Martial Arts channels the students’ energy in a positive way while teaching personal life skills such as self-discipline, respect, and courtesy.

Location

Healthworks at Codman
450 Washington Street (Healthworks at Codman)
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
Created: 
05/10/2011

Park Street Community Service Agency (CSA)

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

ATTN: Natalie Sheehan Dias, 
Program Director 
Park Street CSA
The Home for Little Wanderers
15 Christopher Street
Dorchester, MA 02122

Phone: 

617-288-7450

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

M-F 8am – 8pm

Monthly System of Care (SOC) meetings, last Thursday of the month from 3-4:30, place TBD

Mission: 

CSA- to coordinate, support and empower families dealing with children’s mental health needs in addition to complex family needs.

SOC- To build an integrated system of supports and opportunities that enhance the lives of community members and to commit to collaboration with community members who are defined as residents, providers, faith-based organizations, school, state agencies, and government.

Mission: 

To build an integrated system of supports and opportunities that enhance the lives of community members and to commit to collaboration with community members who are defined as residents, providers, faith-based organizations, school, state agencies, and goverment.

Location

50 Redfield Street suite 300
Boston, MA
United States
Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Park Street CSA

Created: 
05/08/2011

Partnerships Advancing Communities Together (PACT)

Phone: 

(617) 748-3100 OR (617)343-4410

Mission: 

The mission of PACT is to increase community safety in neighborhoods by developing a comprehensive strategy that improves collaboration and effectiveness among public safety agencies, city agencies, state agencies, social service

In July 2010, the City of Boston announced its new initiative to combat gang violence by working with the families and neighbors of the area’s most dangerous offenders. Partnerships Advancing Communities Together, also known as Boston PACT, arose out of the increase in random, senseless youth violence where more and younger innocent bystanders were being shot and killed in Boston. PACT has identified 200 to 300 of the city’s some 3,500 gang affiliates, and has distributed the list of high-risk individuals to law enforcement and social service agencies so that the groups can work together to support the individuals, their family members and neighborhoods. The hope is that, through social and financial support, the community along with city, state and federal officials can provide incentive to draw people out of gangs or keep them from joining in the first place. 

Key Partners: 
  • Boston Police Department
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Boston Public Health Commission
  • Boston Center for Youth and Families
  • Suffolk County Sheriff's Department
  • Executive Office of Health and Human and Services (EOHHS)
  • Department of Youth Services
  • Mayor's Office
  • Governor's Office
  • Suffolk District Attorney's Office
  • United States Attorney's Office
  • Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS)
  • Probation
Key Programs Offered: 
Youth Outreach
  • 90% of youth identified by BPD as most likely to be a victim or perpetrator of a violent crime are connected to a trained youth worker
  • Targeted outreach focused on PACT youth who are attending an educational program, participating in job training or working.
  • Initial efforts to identify and support younger siblings of PACT youth

Community Safety Task Forces

  • Academy/Bromley/Egleston
  • Dudley Square
  • Grove Hall
  • South End
  • Washington Street Corridor

Other Resources
– Housing
– Training capability
– Funds for programs and activities
– Specialists / technical assistanc 

Created: 
04/29/2011

Haitian American Public Health Initiatives

Phone: 

(617) 298-8076

Fax: 

(617) 296-1570

Website: 
Mission: 

HAPHI is a minority run, non-profit agency dedicated to providing members of the Haitian-American community in Metro Boston with culturally and linguistically accessible information and services to improve their health and wellbeing. Located in Mattapan, HAPHI was founded in 1989 by a group of Haitian-American health care professionals to address pressing public health issues confronting Boston's Haitian community. HAPHI has grown tremendously and today provides a comprehensive range of prevention, education, and direct service programs to Haitian-Americans from the greater metropolitan area of Boston. Several of its programs serve Haitian Americans throughout New England.

Location

1464 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
Key Partners: 

 

New Routes/Twa Zanmi

The Twa Zanmi (Three Friends) Project brings together three partners to address stigma associated with mental illness in the Haitian community. The partners include the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), a joint program of the University of Massachusetts Boston and the world-renowned Children’s Hospital Boston, the Haitian American Public Health Initiative (HAPHI) and Camera Mosaique, a weekly educational TV Show produced by the Haitian Media Network. Twa Zanmi is conceived as a community-directed television program) that will follow the lives of three recent Haitian immigrants who experience depression and anxiety as a result of relocation and the accompanying social isolation, loss of identity, and separation from family and friends.

Mutual Assistance Association (MAA Coalition)
The MAA coalition is made up of over 12 Community Based Minority Organizations. The mission of the coalition is to promote solidarity and collaboration among grassroots Community Based Minority Organizations (Combs) serving refugees and immigrants to provide and strengthen a voice for these communities in Massachusetts.  The MAA Coalition is committed to advocating for their communities through capacity building,  leadership development, and addressing needs through the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Key Programs Offered: 

 

English as a Second Language (ESL)
The adult Education Program currently serves 40 students in any given day through 2 classes from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The low intermediate level meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the intermediate level meets Tuesday and Thursday. The lack of available adult education classes is very obvious in Mattapan. The Adult Education Program emphasizes the establishment of linkages with local adult education and skills training programs, employers, colleges and universities, to ensure a continuum of services for learners and to facilitate "next steps" for program graduates. This includes developing referral relationships and formal collaborations.

Citizenship project
Currently HAPHI is providing citizenship classes on Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The current citizenship class has a bilingual curriculum that includes a naturalization process overview and units on personal, application, and general questions; American History; Government; Elected Officials; how to fill out the N400 application form; the interview process; and civic participation. 

HAPHI assists students through the entire process providing class instruction,  advocacy with the INS or referral to legal services, and mock interview tutoring. Student materials include a bilingual textbook, N400 application forms, and an interview practice audiotape. We encourage students to be independent and take charge of their naturalization. In class, students are instructed on how to complete the N-400 application forms and then they fill out their own N-400's. Audiotapes make it possible for students to practice at home on their own.

Civic Engagement Initiative (CEI)
The goal of CEI is to integrate voter education into HAPHI’s current programs, register participants to vote; solicit volunteers to conduct Voter registration drives; design neighborhood campaign; hold workshops on voting and educate on why it is important to vote; conduct drives at supermarkets, stores, intersections and community events; and continue to recruit and train volunteers. The project also provides training for community residents, staff and volunteers on civic engagement during annual meeting.

Program to Enhance Elder Services (PEERS)

PEERS Program conducts community outreach, advocacy, referral and others education and support services for elders. The overall program objectives are to strengthen the existing coordination and collaboration between refugee and elder services providers in Boston to address unmet needs of refugees and asylees  60 years of age or older who have not yet attained citizenship status. 

Services Objectives:

  • To identify refugee elders who have lost, are at risk of losing, or are ineligible for SSI and/or other federal benefits;
  • To assess their service needs;
  • To develop individualized service plans in conjunction with these refugees;
  • To provide them with transitional social services including access to emergency food, shelter and medical care as needed;
  • To promote intergeneration  connection between refugee elders and their grandchildren;
  • To link the refugee elders to employment and volunteer opportunities that promote leadership and enhance independent living;
  • To refer them to other needed services; and,
  • To provide them with naturalization services in order to maintain their eligibility for benefits and address long-term self-sufficiency nee

MA Medicare/Medicaid Outreach and Education (MORE) Program 
The program is designed to improve access to quality health care services among limited English proficiency (LEP) Haitian elders by increasing knowledge, awareness among LEP Haitian elders. The general goal of the program is to make hard to reach LEP Haitian elders aware of their eligibility for benefits and provide them with information about Medicare and Medicaid: abuse, fraud and errors.

Neighborhood Walk Program
The Neighborhood Walk Program is designed to encourage community members to walk together to improve their health.

Food Distribution Services

HAPHI works with Greater Boston Food Bank and provides limited food distribution to its clients and the larger community.

Created: 
04/29/2011

Haitian-Americans United

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

P.O. Box 260440
Mattapan, MA 02126 

Phone: 

(617)298-2976

Email: 
Mission: 

The Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) is a non-profit organization founded in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to improve the quality of life for Haitians and Haitian-Americans through education, Community Empowerment and cultural development, using an approach where participation and unity are strongly favored.

Location

10 Fairway Street, Suite 218
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
Key Partners: 

Haitian American Public Health Initiatives, 

Key Programs Offered: 

 

Gala Photos

Haitian Independence Day Gala

The Haitian Independence Day Gala is an annual event organized by the Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) 

[More]


Gala Photos

Toussaint Louverture Scholarship Fund

Haitian General Louverture (1743- 1803) rose from slavery to become one of the most accomplished military genius and diplomat of his time. This fund helps promising Haitian and Haitian-American students to achieve a higher level of education. 

[More]


Haitian Heritage Month

Haitian Heritage Month

Visit the Haitian Heritage Month website click link below. 

[www.haitianheritagemonth.net]


Flag Photos

Flag Raising Ceremony

Every year on May 18th, the H.A.U. inc. is proud to raise the Haitian flag in front of Boston's City Hall in remembrance of our freedom. 

[More]


Parade Photos

Haitian-American Unity Parade

The Haitian-American Unity Parade is one of several events celebrating the Haitian Heritage Month (May 1-31.) It's a multi-block procession that travels straight up Blue Hill Avenue and ends on Talbot Avenue . 

[More]

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

HAU

Created: 
04/29/2011

Safe Neighborhood Initiative

Phone: 

(617) 963-2910

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Dorchester SNI
Bimonthly meetings expected to begin in June at location TBA (working on finding a regular meeting space). BPD District C-11 attends these meetings. For more information, contact ADA Christine Walsh at 617-619-4315.

Grove Hall SNI
Meets 2nd Thursday of June, September, November, February and April from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Grove Hall Community Center on Geneva Avenue. Food is served beforehand at 5:30 p.m. BPD District B-2 attends these meetings. For more information, contact Michael Kozu at m_kozu@hotmail.com or 617.541.5454.x102.

Upham's Corner SNI
Meets 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the City School, located at 614 Columbia Rd.
BPD District B-2 attends these meetings. For more information, contact ADA Matt Feeney at 617-619-4169.

Washington Corridor SNI
Meets 4th Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. BPD C11 and B3 attend these meetings.  Past meetings have been at DotWell, but the last few have been at the Franklin Hill Apartments community room at 5 Shandon Rd. Evening meetings are in the planning stages but are expected soon. For more information, contact Paul Malkemes at 617-929-0925 or paul@tbpm.org.

Mission: 

The Safe Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) addresses public safety and prosecutors community development issues through the collaborative efforts of to work the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts and Suffolk County Attorney General's Offices. Its success addresses three exclusively primary areas of community concern: Coordinated Law Enforcement, Neighborhood Revitalization, and Prevention and Treatment. Local law enforcement cooperation allows prosecutors to work exclusively generated on cases generated by the SNI i, and has helped community residents to remove and prosecute violent offenders from their neighborhoods.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Contact individual SNI coordinators or the DA's office for more information.

Key Programs Offered: 

The coordinated law enforcement strand includes community policing, the establishment of an SNI neighborhood prosecutor in District and Superior Courts, and enhanced cooperation in special projects between the community and law enforcement agencies.

The neighborhood revitalization efforts of the SNI may include expedited city services, rehabilitation of abandoned property, the coordination of local merchants, and/or job training programs.

The prevention, intervention, and treatment principle of the SNI mobilizes community and government resources around priority community health issues, from youth violence prevention to outreach to seniors.

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

SNI

Created: 
04/28/2011

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition

Phone: 

617-696-2900

Mission: 

The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition draws on the wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity of the Mattapan community to promote a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages.

Location

1613 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
Key Partners: 

ABCD Head StartB-3 Community Services Unit of the Boston Police DepartmentBoston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians of Color, the Boston Public Health Commission,  Brookwood Community Farm, Church of the Holy Spirit, Christine’s Fitness Vibe, Citizen Schools, Mildred Avenue Middle SchoolCity Natives Nursery/Boston Natural Areas Network, Clark-Cooper Community Garden, Colorado Street Neighborhood Association, Community Economic Development Assistance CorporationThe Food Project, Harvard Prevention Research Center, Jubilee Christian Church,  Mattapan Civic Association, Mattapan Community Development Corporation, Mattapan Cultural Arts Council, Mattapan Community Health Center, Mattapan Family Services Center, Morton Street Board of Commerce, Nutrition and Fitness for Life Program, Boston Medical Center, Youth and Family Enrichment Services.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave. in Mattapan. All meetings are open to the public.

If you would like more information about the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, or to find out how you can get involved, please contact MFFC at info@mattapanfoodandfitness.org.

Key Programs Offered: 

The Mattapan Farmers Market: The MFFC sponsors a weekly farmers market in Mattapan Square on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July through October. This year, the market will be held in the parking lot of the Church of the Holy Spirit, 525 River St. form July 10th through October 2. At the market you can find a wide variety of fresh, affordable, organic fruits and vegetables from local farms. Farmers at the market accept EBT/SNAP (Food Stamps), WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons.

Mattapan Moving for Life: To promote the utilization of community resources for physical fitness, the Coalition is establishing an annual Mattapan Moving for Life fitness event.

Healthy on the Block: Join MFFC to help corner stores in Mattapan offer healthier options, including better quality fruits and vegetables at a reasonable price. The Strategic Alliance for Health Corner Store Initiative is working with community members and organizations to increase community access to healthy affordable food through community corner stores. Help MFFC to plan for this project and identify corner stores to participate in this community- supported effort. Contact the program coordinator, Cassandra Cato-Lois for more information about how to get involved.

Created: 
04/26/2011
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