Government

Rep. Elugardo and Boston Housing Authority Launch Community Youth Jobs Program

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State Rep. Nika Elugardo, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and the Main Street organization teamed up at the end of the year to launch a youth jobs program for BHA residents and other low-income youths

Elugardo (D-15th Suffolk) secured a $500,000 earmark for the program during the state's supplemental June budget. “Historically we’ve found the key to prosperity and public safety at the community level is youth employment,” said Elugardo via press release. “Youth with good jobs bring leadership and vibrancy to their communities." The following businesses and organizations provided youths jobs: Three Squares Main Streets; Home Basix; La Patrona Mexican Grill; Chocolate Hair; Married to the Mop; Break Bread Transportation; Miami Restaurant; Mildred Hailey Youth Center; Tails; City Feed & Supply;
The First Baptist Church of Jamaica Plain; 4 Corners Yoga & Wellness; and
JP Centre/South Main Streets. "We’re working with people in the community to make sure the youth who often fall through the cracks are the first in line for these jobs," said Elugardo.

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Government

Biden Nominating Mayor Walsh as Labor Secretary

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In a highly expected move, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is being nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to be the secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Biden and Walsh have strong ties with each other. Biden swore in Walsh for the latter's second term. Walsh has been a strong supporter of unions for a long time, and they have supported him throughout his political career. When he was just 21 years old, he became a member of the Laborers' Union Local 223 in Boston.

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Government

Sen. Chang-Díaz Reflects on Police Reform Legislation She Shepherded

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State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz was one of the two senators who led the new police reform legislation from the Senate that Governor Charlie Baker signed into law on New Year's Eve. Along with Chang-Díaz (D-2nd Suffolk), State Sen. William Brownsberger (D-2nd Suffolk and Middlesex) was the other lead sponsor of the bill that the Senate proposed. Massachusetts' House and Senate had separate bills, and the governor came back with changes to their proposed legislation. Ultimately, Massachusetts' legislative and executive branches worked together to create legislation that creates numerous firsts to defeat structural racism. Chang-Díaz commented on the bill after Baker signed it into law.

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Government

Congresswoman Pressley Surprised She Received Vaccine So Soon

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Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-7th MA) received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, which came as a surprise to her. “Candidly, I did not expect I would be able to receive the vaccine this soon. I planned to receive the vaccine at a Community Health Center in my district later in 2021," said Pressley via press release. "Members of Congress received notice at the end of this week from the Attending Physician that doses would be made available to us as part of a ‘continuity of government plan,’ a measure put in place during national crises. After consulting with my family and my doctor, I decided that I would move forward with this opportunity to receive the vaccine."

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Coronavirus

Free Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Jamaica Plain

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The city announced numerous sites this week that are offering free, mobile COVID-19 testing available to anyone regardless of symptoms. Along with a site in Jamaica Plain, there are also mobile testing sites in Roxbury and Hyde Park. The city's mobile teams are in partnerships with Whittier Street Health Center,  East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and LCG Boston, which are located in Roxbury, Hyde Park and Jamaica Plain. In Jamaica Plain, testing is available in partnership with LCG through Wednesday, December 30 at the Anna Mae Cole Community Center, located at the Mildred Hailey Apartments at 24 Heath St. Testing is available to anyone at no cost and regardless of symptoms and insurance, and by walk-up only during the hours. Please contact the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 if you have questions.

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