FENWAY ALLIANCE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
THE YMCA OF GREATER BOSTON
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Boston College and YMCA of Greater Boston
: Feeding Those in Need
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In addition to safely serving the approximately 267 students remaining on campus,
Boston College Dining Services
has helped feed people in need during the coronavirus pandemic. BBQ pork, rolls, bean salad, and cookies were distributed to various organizations in the Greater Boston Area-- including Fenway Alliance Member
The YMCA of Greater Boston
-- and over 3,000 bags of groceries were distributed to local families in the Boston, Brighton, and Allston neighborhoods.
BC Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Patricia Bando
says this opportunity came unexpectedly. “Out of the blue, I received a call from a food manufacturer representative, Michael Joseph, the national account culinary manager of
Rich Products in Buffalo
,” explained Bando. “He had an offer that we found too good to refuse: free products that have a three-month shelf life and needed to be moved out of their warehouse as a donation that could be put to good use. We are so happy that in our small way we can help so many others during this crisis.”
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BC Vice President for Governmental and Community Affairs Thomas Keady
and
BC Director of Government Relations Jeanne Levesque
found organizations within the Greater Boston area that needed food donations, including the YMCA on Huntington Avenue, the Grant Manor Food Pantry in Roxbury, and the Boston Public Health Shelter System. Keady was especially enthusiastic about partnering with the YMCA of Greater Boston: "BC Dining Services and the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs are pleased to join forces with the City of Boston and the Huntington Avenue YMCA to help feed those in need during the pandemic. The BC team looks forward each week to preparing, cooking and distributing food donations knowing we are doing our part to serve and help see the community through this crisis."
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“The YMCA of Greater Boston is, along with many partners, providing food for children, families and seniors, along with emergency childcare for the children of essential workers, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says
James O’S. Morton, President and CEO of The YMCA of Greater Boston
. “We cannot thank our partners enough for their generosity as we collectively support children, families and communities in real time, during this real crisis. Our relationship with Boston College has allowed us to offer more variety in our grocery bags, adding fresh yogurt parfaits and baked breads. We are delivering 500-800 grocery bags every day to Boston seniors and families. Each bag is nutritionally balanced to help keep everyone healthy during these times. We are thankful to be working with Boston College and its great team.”
Read more about the YMCA of Greater Boston's collaboration with Boston College
here.
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COVID-19 UPDATES FROM THE STATE & CITY
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On May 18th, Governor Baker issued phase 1 of the Massachusetts Reopening Guidelines: the "Safer at Home" Policy. Under "Safer at Home," residents should: only leave home for health care, permitted work, shopping, and outdoor activities; when going to the pharmacy ask if prescriptions can be filled for 90 days or delivered; use remote modes of communication like phone or video chat instead of visiting friends or family who are high risk for COVID-19; decline participation in close contact activities such as pick-up sports games; refrain from visiting nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, or other residential care settings; and limit playdates amongst small children.
Learn more about how Massachusetts is planning to reopen here
.
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P
lease take time to fill out the
2020 Census online
,
available in
13 languages. For web pages and guides in 59 languages including ASL + Braille, visit
language support
.
It has never been more important that every Bostonian is counted. Information collected helps determine billions of dollars in federal funds to our communities for emergency response, schools, roads, and other public services for the next 10 years. Spread the word on social media using
#2020Census
and
#BostonCounts
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UPDATES FROM MEMBER INSTITUTIONS + COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
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The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
's new initiative,
Gardner at Home
, allows audiences to experience the museum's
gardens
,
art
, and
music
virtually.
This would have been the closing week for
Boston's Apollo: Thomas McKeller and John Singer Sargent,
but instead the exhibition will extend its
run online, ensuring audiences are able to access this incredible story a little bit longer! Instead of saying goodbye this week, the Gardner is placing special focus on the central figures at the heart of the show: Thomas McKeller, John Singer Sargent, and, of course, Isabella Stewart Gardner. Read
New York Times co-chief art critic Holland Cotter's review of the exhibition
, and
William and Lia Poorvu Curator of the Collection
Nat Silver's latest blog post on the relationship among the exhibition's three central figures
.
You can also view
Rory Lambert Wright's readings of letters written by Thomas McKeller
,
which were originally performed as part of
Meeting Thomas McKeller
on the exhibition's opening night.
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Boston Symphony Orchestra
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Huntington Theatre Company
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After careful analysis and discussions with local officials,
Mass Audubon
will safely open trails on many of its wildlife sanctuaries for local visitation. These sanctuaries were selected based on a variety of conditions, including being able to manage capacity for expected level of use (on the trails and in the parking areas) as well as support from the communities where they are located. Visit the Mass Audubon website to see the
list of sanctuaries that are open for local visitors
,
guidelines on how to visit safely
, and
answers to any questions you may have
.
Mass Audubon is committed to its effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep communities safe while providing access to the outdoors to support the mental and physical health of community members.
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Join
Now + There
on
Friday, May 15 at 12:30 pm the next “N+T Asks” conversation
. This week, Executive Director Kate Gilbert asks artist and creator of
Public Trust
Paul Ramirez Jonas and President of the
Lewis Family Foundation
Juma Crawford, "When will we stop being afraid?" The conversation aims to look head-on at the fears faced in the first two months of the pandemic and consider how to look ahead with strength and begin to move forward. Panelists will discuss what a return to public life might look like, how habits will change, lessons learned so far, and how art can help us work through lingering fear to the next stage of life in the COVID-19 era. The conversation will begin with a 30-minute panelist discussion and will then open up to all participants to share questions, ideas, and perspectives. Joining the conversation is free and open to all.
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UPDATES FROM MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL
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MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL DISTRICTS:
BOSTON'S LATIN QUARTER
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Did you know that there are over 50 state-designated Cultural Districts throughout the Commonwealth? Our umbrella advocacy & funding organization, the
Massachusetts Cultural Council
, has been hosting virtual meet ups for the Districts to share resources & community during this unprecedented period. As managers of the
FENWAY CULTURAL DISTRICT
, we have decided to highlight our sister Districts and ways they are addressing the challenge of providing culture, art, and community in innovative ways during this time.
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SUPPORT THE FENWAY ALLIANCE
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Dear Friends,
Because we are a 43-year-old member-based organization, we rarely reach out to individuals for financial support. However, these are extraordinary times. We hope that you and yours are healthy and safe. We know we will overcome this challenge through unity guided by science. We thank all of our frontline workers—healthcare personnel, essential services workers, volunteers, store clerks, and assisted living staff.
The essential work of the Fenway Alliance is providing joyous events and programs that engender greater access to the Arts. It is also restoring, protecting, and providing critical access for all Bostonians to our public green spaces. For over three decades the Fenway Alliance has been a key leader in the rehabilitation of the Frederick Law Olmsted Muddy River Park and Parklands.
We hope to be able to continue this work, but we need your support.
The Alliance is a small, yet mighty and nimble organization—we get big things done!. We employ two full-time staff members, and one paid intern. Currently, like many nonprofit organizations, we are all on reduced salaries. We want to be able to continue our work serving the Fenway community and Boston, as a whole. Please consider making a donation to the Fenway Alliance so that programs and events like Fenway Cares, Opening Our Doors, TEDxFenway, and Fenway Porchfest can continue, and that the important advocacy and management of our beautiful green spaces continues uninterrupted.
These programs and green spaces for urban residents are more important than ever now. Also, let us know what future programs you’d like to participate in. We need your support, and welcome your ideas!
Sincerely,
Kelly Brilliant, Executor Director
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The Boston Resiliency Fund
Boston's fundraising and philanthropic fund to provide essential services to Boston residents and to assist first responders and critical care providers.
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The Boston Artist Relief Fund
. The fund will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices & incomes are being adversely impacted.
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The Boston Music Makers Relief Fund
provides financial relief to Boston area music makers experiencing lost income as the result of performance cancellations related to COVID-19. Small grants of up to $200 will be paid rapidly on a first come, first served basis.
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Boston Dance Alliance's Dance Relief Fund
distributes stipends of $250 to assist with immediate basic needs. The fund will disburse grants on a first-come, first-served basis until April 15, 2020 or until all donations are exhausted.
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Follow the Fenway Alliance on Instagram and Facebook for timely updates from city of Boston, our community partners, and member institutions.
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