Opinion

Walsh: Through Every Challenge, Boston Stands Together

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The coronavirus is a serious public health crisis that is affecting every aspect of life in our city. I know that the changes have been disruptive, and the cancellations have been disappointing. Some working people are losing paychecks, worried about bills, and struggling with childcare. And through it all, many of the people we want to wrap our arms around the most, are the very people we must keep at arm’s length, for their own safety. I want you to know that the city is working around the clock to slow the spread of the virus, keep people healthy, and make sure that our city can return to normal as soon as possible.

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Business

Boston Foreclosures Dropped 61% in 2019

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Boston's foreclosure rate reached a 17-year low in 2019, dropping 61 percent in 2019 compared to 2018. Across the city foreclosure executions went down from 103 in 2018 to 40 in 2019, according to city statistics. Comparatively, 1,215 foreclosures were executed in 2008 during the height of the housing crisis. "I'm proud that through our work with homeowners, we have been able to reduce the number of foreclosures in Boston, and keep more families in their homes," said Mayor Marty Walsh via press release. "These results show that our programs and policies to prevent foreclosures and evictions are working.

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Opinion

Mayor Walsh: Calling All Mentors — Help Make a Difference for Boston’s Children

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Earlier last month, a fifth grader from Dorchester named Fatoumata visited my office. She told me about her favorite types of ice cream, her favorite subjects in school, and her plans to go to college, become a human rights lawyer, and eventually run for U.S. Senate. She’s got big goals for her future, and I have every confidence that she will achieve her dreams. Fatoumata also told me about her support system. Her family loves her, she’s got great teachers at the Dever Elementary School, and she also has a mentor named Claire, a Boston College student who meets with Fatoumata every week. Mentorship can be an incredible resource for kids like Fatoumata.

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Opinion

Mayor Walsh: Black History More Than a Month; Join Our Year-Round Celebration

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February is Black History Month and, in Boston, we have a full series of events planned to celebrate the achievements of Black Bostonians -- the women and men, seniors and students, veterans and clergy, business owners and activists who have been at the heart of our city’s progress and success since the beginning. Honoring this history and progress is something we must do every day, all year round. That’s why Boston is helping to lead a national movement to recognize that Black history is #MoreThanAMonth. This year, Black History Month kicks off a year-round celebration, in partnership with Boston’s Black community, that we are calling a Year of Black Excellence. Black Excellence events will reach all ages and offer a range of activities including arts, sports, history, culture, job resources, and community programming.

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Government

Mayor Walsh Appoints Two Jamaica Plain Residents to Reactivated Human Rights Commission

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Boston's Human Rights Commission had been inactive since 1996, but seeing the challenging times we live in, Mayor Marty Walsh decided to reactivate it. "As attacks on human rights continue from the highest levels of our country, here in Boston, we're committed to preserving and advancing human rights, including in our immigrant communities," said Mayor Marty Walsh via press release. "I'm proud to appoint these seven members to the Human Rights Commission. Their backgrounds and experiences make them uniquely qualified to serve in these roles, and they will make a real difference in the lives of our residents." Walsh specifically asked the commission, which was established by a city ordinance in 1984, to pay special attention to Boston's immigrant communities.

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Government

City Council Sworn In: Mejia’s Moving American Dream Memory, Diversity, and Astrology

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Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston City Council were sworn into office on Monday, and nothing was more moving than At-Large City Councilor Julia Mejia adding to her American Dream. We'll just let Mejia tell it. And to think that Mejia was almost not elected, as she won a recount by one vote against Alexandra St. Guillen. Not only did Mejia make history, but this current Boston City Council also changed Boston history, which was pointed out by many people, including District 4 City Councilor Andrea Campbell.

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From the Community

Community Servings Completes $25 Million Renovation and Expansion Project

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Community Servings, a nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses, celebrated the completion of a $25 million kitchen expansion and three-story addition project at its longtime home in Jamaica Plain.  

With the opening of a 31,000-square-foot food campus, Community Servings plans to double the number of people involved in its volunteer programs and triple production of its scratch-made meals. The nonprofit is now well-positioned to expand its service footprint statewide and will soon begin feeding even more critically and chronically ill individuals and their families across Massachusetts. Community Servings is now prepared to meet new demand from a state-led initiative that will provide health-related nutrition supports to certain patients beginning in January 2020. “For 30 years, we’ve been focused on bringing nutritious, scratch-made, medically tailored meals to our neighbors in need.

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Schools

Governor Signs Education Funding Equity Bill Into Law at English High

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With English High School students gathered in a packed gym, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law that boosts investment in public schools by $1.5 billion annually over the next seven years. Baker was joined by numerous elected officials and business leaders, including Mayor Marty Walsh, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Boston School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto, State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, City Councilors Matt O'Malley and Annissa Essaibi-George, and more on Nov. 26. The Student Opportunity Act will particularly provide new funding to school districts with high percentages of low-income students and English Language learners who often live in some of the highest-need communities. “This is a monumental moment for the future of our Commonwealth.

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City Services

Check Out The Improvements to Jamaica Pond Thanks to The Pathways Project

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The city is celebrating the $4.7 million in improvements to the pathways and perimeter to Jamaica Pond on Nov. 23 -- and if you haven't seen it yet -- check out the photos. Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will be celebrating the culmination of the Jamaica Pond Pathways Project at noontime. The improvements include increased accessibility, new benches, new trees, new exercise equipment, upgrades to pathways and entrances, as well as improved drainage to protect water quality. During the ceremony the Jamaica Pond Boathouse will be named in honor of Christine Cooper.

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Development

Mayor Walsh Celebrates BPDA Approval of Pine Street Inn Housing Project in JP

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On Thursday night, the Boston Planning & Development Agency Board of Directors voted in support to move forward a project that will provide 140 units designated as supportive housing for individuals served by Pine Street Inn. "In Boston, we are committed to making sure that every individual has a place to call home and build a better life," said Mayor Martin Walsh via press release. "This project is only possible because of the commitment of Pine Street Inn, The Community Builders, and many partners and stakeholders across the city who have joined our call to bring an end to chronic homelessness." The project, located at 3368 Washington St., will demolish the existing structure owned by Pine Street Inn, which houses operations and offices. The new project will be the city's largest supportive housing development.

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