DHCD’s Regulations Warrant a 51-A: Come March for Homeless Families!

Greetings,

 We hope that everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! Now that we have all recovered from our festivities, it’s time to take action!

Rep. Gloria Fox on Equality Issues

Check out this video interview with Representative Gloria Fox of the 7th Suffolk District and learn about her perspective on issues of equality. Fox was recently the guest speaker at AFAB’s 16th Annual Fundraiser Dinner!

History of the Great American Smokeout

Check out this video to learn about the history of the Great American Smokeout and how it’s helping people quit smoking for good!

The Great American Smokeout 2013

The American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Video Interview with Meredith Smith

Watch this video featuring Meredith Smith, Community Works Accountant, and learn about the role of technology in the non profit sector.

8 Principles of Sustainable Fundraising

Sustainable fundraising. Those two words alone are sure to conjure up some great thoughts for nonprofit leaders. Every organization strives to create a fundraising program that will consistently bring revenue into the organization, but it’s a lot easier said than done.

Larry C. Johnson, CFRE, believes he has the key to this dream. In his book, “The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising,” Johnson made the case that you must consider eight factors when evaluating your organization’s fundraising program. By understanding these points, he reasons, your organization will have a better idea of how to get consistent fundraising.

Interview with Katie Gustainis Vela, Rosie’s Place Employee

Interview conducted by Community Works blogger Dylan Manderlink.

As Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month comes to a close, it is important to recognize the relevant resources in our own Community. Featured in this post is an interview with Katie Gustainis Vela, one of the wonderful employees at Rosie’s Place, the country’s first homeless women’s shelter.

Manderlink: How has Rosie’s Place helped improve the lives of homeless or abused and mistreated women?

Gustainis Vela: My favorite part about Rosie’s Place is the atmosphere when you walk through our front doors. It’s not sterile or formal, but warm and welcoming. We’re less of an institution and more of a community center. I think that our approach – treating each and every woman as our guest, and accepting them with an open heart – is one of the simplest things we do to help some of the most vulnerable women in our community.

Girls’ LEAP Boston: Interview With Volunteer Katie Purcell

            Interview conducted by Community Works blogger Isabel Thottam.

           Empowerment. This is a word we often strive toward in youth development so that young people may avoid a difficult future. Learning empowerment and recognition of inner strength at a young age can help build a strong self-confidence. Domestic violence issues affect women of all ages and backgrounds and one way to stand up against this issue is to defend and empower oneself both physically and emotionally. Girls’ LEAP is a non-profit organization located in Boston that provides self-defense and empowerment programs to Boston girls ages 8 to 18. I recently spoke with a volunteer, Katie Purcell, who outlines her work with Girls’ LEAP.

Isabel: What is LEAP and is it just youth-oriented?

Katie:  We emphasize self-reflective and physical self-defense techniques that help encourage conflict resolution, violence de-escalation, and healthy boundary setting. We teach these programs to girls aged 8 to 18, but sometimes offer into workshops for older women. Additionally, we are an organization that involves the work and volunteer hours of teen girls, college women, and adult women. So, although the programs we teach are targeted at youth, our overarching organization is oriented at helping and encouraging empowerment and self-defense among women of all ages. 

Cambridge College Launches Campaign Against Domestic Violence

T-shirt display at Cambridge College Event: Campaign Against Domestic Violence

Article written by Community Works blogger Dylan Manderlink

October 17, 2012 – 1000 Mass Ave, Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA

We hear the startling statistics, read the appalling facts, and see reports too frequently on the news about domestic violence, rape cases, sexual harassment, and partner abuse, but how often do we hear stories of strength, survival, and empowerment? Cambridge College and Cambridge city officials along with local non-profits want to promote a shift in conversation regarding domestic violence and sexual assault.