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Jamaica Plain News (https://www.jamaicaplainnews.com/2021/06/10/esac-receives-100000-cummings-foundation-grant/281036)

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ESAC Receives $100,000 Cummings Foundation Grant

By Matthew Caughey | June 10, 2021
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Jamaica Plain nonprofit Ecumenical Social Action Committee (ESAC) is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants through Cummings Foundation's $25 million grant program.

The Boston-based organization was chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $100,000 over 4 years.

Ecumenical Social Action Committee Executive Director, Dr. Peg Drisko, and Associate Business Manager, Kim Gibson, celebrating the news of their recent award from Cummings Foundation.

Since 1965, Ecumenical Social Action Committee has addressed the unmet needs of elders, homeowners, and youth throughout Boston. Through programs in sustainable homeownership, homelessness prevention, education, and public benefits enrollment, Ecumenical Social Action Committee equips hundreds of low-income residents each year with the tools, knowledge, and supports they need to overcome their barriers to stability and growth.

Cummings Foundation's investment will allow Ecumenical Social Action Committee to expand the Senior Tenancy Stabilization program team to better serve older tenants at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

"This funding will play a critical role in offering our most vulnerable, disabled, and homeless clients support to obtain and maintain housing," said Ecumenical Social Action Committee executive director Dr. Peg Drisko. "We are incredibly grateful to Cummings Foundation for their generous support of our work."

The Cummings $25 million grant program supports Massachusetts nonprofits based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties.

Cummings Foundation aims to give back to the area where it owns commercial buildings through this place-based initiative, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

"We aim to help meet the needs of people in all segments of our local community," said Cummings Foundation executive director Joel Swets. "It is the incredible organizations we fund, however, that do the actual daily work to empower our neighbors, educate our children, fight for equity, and so much more."

With the help of about 80 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants. Forty of this latter group of repeat recipients were then selected to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 each.

"We adopted a democratic approach to philanthropy, which empowers an impressive roster of dedicated volunteers to decide more than half of all our grant winners each year," said Swets. "We benefit from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives; they benefit from a meaningful and fulfilling experience, and the nonprofits often benefit from increased exposure and new advocates."

This year's grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including social justice, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. The nonprofits are spread across 43 different cities and towns.

The complete list of 140 grant winners and more than 800 previous recipients is available at cummingsfoundation.org. Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $300 million to Greater Boston nonprofits.

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JAMAICA PLAIN EVENTS

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2 events, 28

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

August 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday, July 10 through September 25. 6:30-7:00pm in July and August; 6:00-6:30pm in September https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this 30-minute, evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection at […]

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at Arnold Arboretum

August 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday in August, 6:30pm https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this weekly evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection. Facilitator Bob Linscott will guide the group through 30 minutes of […]

0 events, 29

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1 event, 3

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

June through September: Every Sunday at 5pm In the Eliot Schoolyard, 24 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain New this year: Beer Garden by The Hive, 4-7pm Bring your own seats. All are […]

1 event, 4

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

September 4 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday, July 10 through September 25. 6:30-7:00pm in July and August; 6:00-6:30pm in September https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this 30-minute, evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection at […]

0 events, 5

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1 event, 7

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

September Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter

September 7 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

September Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter

The September Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter will be held Thursday at 5:30 pm on the lawn of the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, 633 Centre Street […]

0 events, 8

1 event, 9

12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

11th Jamaica Plain Music Festival

September 9 @ 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

11th Jamaica Plain Music Festival

The 11th Jamaica Plain Music Festival at Pinebank Field is Sept. 9 from noon to 7 pm. The festival is free and includes 7 hours of continuous music on two […]

1 event, 10

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

June through September: Every Sunday at 5pm In the Eliot Schoolyard, 24 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain New this year: Beer Garden by The Hive, 4-7pm Bring your own seats. All are […]

2 events, 11

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Stonybrook Neighborhood Association Meeting

September 11 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Stonybrook Neighborhood Association Meeting

The SNA is made up of residents living or owning property on the following streets: Brookley, Rossmore, Williams, Gartland, Kenton, Shurland, Dungarven, Stedman, Plainfield, Meehan, Stonley, Lotus, Burnett, Rockvale and […]

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

September 11 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday, July 10 through September 25. 6:30-7:00pm in July and August; 6:00-6:30pm in September https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this 30-minute, evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection at […]

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1 event, 17

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 17 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

June through September: Every Sunday at 5pm In the Eliot Schoolyard, 24 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain New this year: Beer Garden by The Hive, 4-7pm Bring your own seats. All are […]

1 event, 18

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

September 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday, July 10 through September 25. 6:30-7:00pm in July and August; 6:00-6:30pm in September https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this 30-minute, evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection at […]

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

0 events, 21

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0 events, 23

2 events, 24

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

JPHS Presents: A History of Allandale

September 24 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

JPHS Presents: A History of Allandale

The section of Jamaica Plain we refer to as Allandale has quite an interesting history. Once a rural farming area it still includes Boston’s only working farm. Centre Street has […]

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 24 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

June through September: Every Sunday at 5pm In the Eliot Schoolyard, 24 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain New this year: Beer Garden by The Hive, 4-7pm Bring your own seats. All are […]

1 event, 25

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

September 25 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

Every Monday, July 10 through September 25. 6:30-7:00pm in July and August; 6:00-6:30pm in September https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/meditation-mondays/ Unwind with this 30-minute, evening meditation under the shade of the maple collection at […]

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0 events, 1

August 28
August 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

August 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at Arnold Arboretum

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September 3
September 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 4
September 4 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 7
September 7 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

September Vigil in Support of Black Lives Matter

  • There are no events on this day.
September 9
September 9 @ 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

11th Jamaica Plain Music Festival

September 10
September 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 11
September 11 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Stonybrook Neighborhood Association Meeting

September 11 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

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  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
September 17
September 17 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 18
September 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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September 24
September 24 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

JPHS Presents: A History of Allandale

September 24 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

In the Eliot Schoolyard

September 25
September 25 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Meditation Mondays at the Arnold Arboretum

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ABOUT JAMAICA PLAIN NEWS

Jamaica Plain News is an independent online news source and community platform for the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

David Ertischek

Our publisher David Ertischek has been a community journalist for more than 18 years. He has been the editor and reporter for local newspapers and websites. He has lived in Jamaica Plain since 2002. His favorite thing about Jamaica Plain is the Arnold Arboretum.

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