Reflecting on 2022

The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 76

December 2022

Remembering Maryann "Mimi" Wrenn

The community lost a dear colleague and friend Maryann “Mimi” Wrenn, who passed away unexpectedly this month. Mimi was a long-time resident of Charlestown, the Director of the Charlestown Community Center and a pillar within the community. Mimi is missed by many, and her passing will continue to have a profound impact on us all.

The city of Boston’s trauma team and the Charlestown Trauma Response Team are working together to support the community at this time. If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact the Charlestown Trauma Response Team at the following numbers:

During business hours: (617) 726-0058

After hours: (617) 643-0449

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Coalition staff! Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season. We are so grateful for another year with this amazing community.

(L to R: Ciara, Sarah, Mswati, Phenice, Mel via Zoom, Dareen and Zaire)

Looking Back at 2022

As we say all the time: we could not do what we do without all of the Charlestown community and organizations. Join us as we walk down memory lane with some of our favorite highlights from this year! A newsletter couldn't adequately capture all of the things we shared together. We are eagerly awaiting what 2023 will bring!

JANUARY

We held our annual downtown Boston John Collier Sr. giveback with donated clothing and hygiene products for those experiencing homelessness and those in need.

FEBRUARY

Civic engagement: The candidates visit TURN IT AROUND to share about their race for City Councilor for District 1.

MARCH

We honored colleague and friend Shannon in March, as she departed the Coalition team in late 2021. She had an immeasurable impact during her time on staff here and will continue to be a force in the Charlestown community for years to come. We love you Shannon!

APRIL

Our annual Earth Day Peace Park clean up was a great success with community partners, organizations and friends! While we wait for the reconstruction, we all chip in year round to care for the park. Thank you to Sean Boyle of Baby Boyle Bouquets, TPP Volunteers and the Kennedy Center.

MAY

Our Gun Violence Prevention video produced by Dante Luna premiered in May of this year. Take a few moments to learn from our youth and community partners about gun violence in communities of Boston. Thank you to Eric and Bobby of the Transformational Prison Project and to Linda Forsythe.

We highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month in many different and exciting ways this year. We held a two-part wellness day event with activities and resources for children & families, then featured our Charlestown Trauma Response Team and other Community Organizations in the second part of the event. We also spent time at the Harvard Kent, sharing different activities, breathing techniques and wellness crafts with the children of Charlestown!

JUNE

Our 10 year film, TIA-10, launched in June to highlight all of the ways we have impacted the community through TURN IT AROUND in the last decade.

June was a busy month, with prom, graduations, 10 Years of TIA, Civic Engagement, Bunker Hill week, and more!

Our Ten Year Celebration at the Museum of Science was an amazing night of connection and reflection! Thank you so much to everyone who attended, donated and shared the night with us.

JULY

July brought many fun adventures with the TIA Summer Program, another Peace Park clean up, continued meaningful Race Dialogues, and an MGH staff event.

AUGUST

August kicked off all of our Recovery Month events, a Recovery Court graduation, more high school grads from our Healthy Alternatives Program, and a community Art Healing Event with Councilor Mejia.

SEPTEMBER

In September, we participated in Art in the Park, the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center Open House Event, and the Streetworker Conference at Gillette Stadium!

OCTOBER

October came and we continued our Leaf Project, launched TIA JR, celebrated Halloween and took part in the annual Charlestown Through Our Eyes photo project with Christ Church.

NOVEMBER

Thank you to St. John's for having us join in on their Harvest Fest. We also celebrated Thanksgiving with valued community partners and TIA JR and TIA youth all in one space, kindly offered to us by RSM! Our Trauma Response Team held an additional Leaf Project session for the community, and the Team took part in Psychological First Aid Training in November as well, with Dr. Robert Macy of the International Trauma Center.

DECEMBER

December was good to us! We participated in the Charlestown Christmas Stroll & TIA Holiday Celebrations, including packing up warm clothing and hygiene items for our Giveback.

Race Dialogues

Join us on Tuesday, January 17th 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 indoors until further notice at 10 Green Street.

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

Voices of Recovery

This month, we are honored to highlight Kevin Black and his recovery story. Thank you, Kevin!

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!