The Charlestown Coalition News: 

Issue 72

August 2022

CtownCoalitionLarge.png

Welcome home, Zaire!

We’d like to welcome Zaire Richardson as our new Youth Prevention Coordinator here at Charlestown Coalition!! Zaire, who is a proud alumna of TURN IT AROUND, will heading up TURN IT AROUND JUNIOR (more to come soon!!) We’re so happy to have her as an official member of our team, and witness her coming full circle!

Welcome home Zaire! ♥️

Graduates of Charlestown High & the Alternative to Suspension Program

We are incredibly proud of AJ and Ish for graduating this summer from Charlestown High! These two young men participated in our Healthy Alternatives program, persevered through obstacles and we know this is just the beginning for them. Congrats!

Highlight: Transformational Prison Project Community Event

Sarah and Mswati attended @transformationalprisonproject ‘s First Annual Reentry Celebration. They were honored with awards for their work in community and efforts to support returning citizens. We’re so grateful for TPP and the opportunities to collaborate with them!

CRA Family Fun Day!

The CRA Family Fun Day on August 27th was a great way to spend a Saturday! We love being out in the community with our friends, neighbors and partner organizations. Huge thank you to our @turnitaroundctn members Zay, Ana and Lizzie. Until next time!

Recovery Month Schedule and Events

If you have any questions or want to get more involved, please reach out to Ciara (cwilliams@mgh.harvard.edu),

Shannon Lundin (slundin@chaptersrecoverycenter.com) or Sean Boyle!

Highlight: Overdose Awareness Event

On Wednesday August 31st, we held our Overdose Awareness Event, a night full of remembrance and connection. We began our art project with The People's Academy, allowing community members to create their own "leaves" out of copper, inscribed with initials or dates of those they have lost. These leaves will be installed in a permanent art installation at the Peace Park. If you missed the opportunity, don't worry - we will be holding another event to create more leaves later in September. Huge thank you to Charlestown Probation, Chapters Recovery, MGH Charlestown healthcare Center, The People's Academy, DJ Smokey Cain, and Charlestown Trauma Response Team.

Highlight: Art Healing Event with Councilor Mejia's Office and Amanda Bravo

On August 30th, we participated in Art & Healing with Councilor Mejia's office and artist Amanda Bravo. Community members shared with us that this was a very intentional and meaningful event, and that they hope to see more events like this in Charlestown! Huge thank you @juliaforboston for your dedication to serving Boston communities. We can’t wait until the next one!

PLAN: Charlestown

We need your voice to determine the future of Charlestown! PLAN: Charlestown surveys are now LIVE.


PLAN: Charlestown is a neighborhood-wide comprehensive planning initiative. The process was started in 2020 in response to anticipated improvements to Sullivan Square and Rutherford Avenue, an increasing number of development proposals in Charlestown’s previously industrial areas, and a citywide need for more housing. In partnership with the community, the plan aims to produce a framework to shape Charlestown's future, accommodating new, contextually appropriate growth along the Rutherford Avenue Corridor and in Sullivan Square while preserving the character of its existing residential areas.


The Plan will promote: 

  • Affordable housing creation
  • Climate resiliency
  • Increased mobility
  • New parks, open space
  • Predictable and contextual growth
  • Stronger local businesses and job creation


Attend an upcoming listening session to provide feedback on what you want to see in Charlestown!

Look at PLAN: Charlestown and give feedback HERE!

Race Dialogues

This month,


Join us on Tuesday, September 20th at 5:30pm for our monthly Race & Equity Discussion. This series explores important topics about the impact of race, policing in urban settings, and equity. It is open to all members of the Charlestown community and the general public. Please note meetings are once again in person at the Peace Park until further notice.

 

This forum is being co-sponsored by the Charlestown Coalition, Turn It Around Youth Program, Councilor Gigi Coletta and her team.


Keep your eyes peeled to spot our new banner!

Recovery Court Celebration

On August 31st, International Overdose Awareness Day, we celebrated two graduates of the Recovery Court program in conjunction with the Charlestown Division of Suffolk County Court System. We all came together to celebrate Joseph and Thomas completing 18 months in the program. Congratulations to them both, and also to Kevin Rainsford who has transitioned into a new role within the court system - we are so grateful for his partnership and collaboration over the years. We had guest speaker, former NHL player and person in long term recovery, Kevin Stevens, come and share his path to recovery and provide encouragement and hope to those in the program!

Community Partner Highlight: Charlestown Resident Alliance

We are so grateful for our community partners and could not do this work without them. This month we want to highlight The Charlestown Resident Alliance (CRA) - a non-profit community organization, formed by a public housing volunteer tenant group to represent all residents of Bunker Hill Development. They do incredible amounts of advocacy and organizing for the Charlestown residents. Most recently, we partnered with them for the community resource drop in center. Thank you, CRA! Here's to many more years of collaboration.

Voices of Recovery

This month, we are highlighting Alyssa Tobin's story and path to recovery. Thank you for your strength and courage, Alyssa!

Click here to read her story.

CALL FOR VOICES OF RECOVERY!


Do you know someone in recovery that has ties to the Charlestown community and would be willing to share their story? Every month, the Coalition highlights someone in their newsletter for Voices Of Recovery. We are always looking for more stories to share!


Email Ciara by clicking HERE for the interview questions & to send your photo!

Upcoming Coalition Meetings

CC pam-Final 2021.png

Trauma Response Team


September 6th at 5:30 PM


Meetings are held at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club. Contact

Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

Untitled design _8_.png

Charlestown Family Support Task Force 


October 4th at 12:00 PM


Meetings are held virtually until further notice. Contact Phenice Zawatsky to learn more.

Where Are They Now?

TURN IT AROUND Alumni


Guess Who? It's Kaltuma!



Find out what she has been up to and how TURN IT AROUND has impacted her life!

TURN IT AROUND:

Youth of the Month


Our August Youth of the Month, and last of the summer, is Zayrangie (Zay) Guerrero. Zay has been a superstar ever since she joined TURN IT AROUND! She’s a rising sophomore now, but has the maturity and intelligence of someone much older. She loves to help her community. She’s an amazing big sister to her 2 younger siblings. And she brings so energy and passion to the group whenever she’s around. Zay embodies all the qualities we want in a representative of TIA!!


-Mswati Hanks,

Youth Program Coordinator

To learn more about our programs, our staff, community partners, resources, upcoming events, TURN IT AROUND, program impact, and more, click below:

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  YouTube  Web  LinkedIn
LinkedIn Share This Email