March Newsletter

The Charlestown Coalition News:

Issue 80

April 2023

A Message from our Director

Dear Charlestown Community,

I wanted to take time out this month to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the Charlestown Coalition team, Mass General Brigham's Center for Community Health Improvement, Charlestown providers and members of the Charlestown community for offering their congrats and warm words of encouragement, as I step into my new role as Director. I am humbled by your support.

As a provider working in the community for the past 12 years, I am honored to work in Charlestown among dedicated providers, organizations and residents. Charlestown is like no other community I've encountered! There are so many wonderful strengths the community possesses, including the ability to advocate for what it needs and coming together during hard times. But the quality that I think about the most is the community's huge heart! I am very blessed to work with you all and I look forward to forming new partnerships and reconnecting with existing partners. Please feel free to reach out to me in the future to connect!

Sincerely,

Phenice

Leaf Project Highlight

The Coalition team joined The People's Academy in early April to affix some of the copper leaves to branches. You may remember this project from last year - we launched it to create a unique art installation in the Peace Park, and held multiple sessions for community members to learn how to "make" the leaves, inscribing them with dates or initials to commemorate those lost. The next step for this project is to complete the leaf and branch connections, and determine if more leaf making sessions are needed! Stay tuned, and as always, reach out to Ciara with any questions.

Annual Earth Day Peace Park Clean Up

The Annual Earth Day Peace Park clean up was a huge success! We had a productive afternoon in the sunshine cleaning, weeding, planting, painting, and spending time with one another. Different community groups will be holding clean ups each month from now until the colder weather - please sign up! On May 9th, Mystic River Watershed Association will be doing light park maintenance, crafts and more with the community. Come by for a chance to connect!

For more information or to get involved in all things Peace Park, please reach out to Ciara.

The google form to RSVP for the Peace Park Party can be found here.

Community Collaborator Groups:

Planting Seeds for a Healthier Charlestown

Dr. Forsythe, who is one of the providers who was awarded the MGH Dept of Medicine Grant funding last year, is out in the community sharing the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labors - Planting Seeds for a Healthier Charlestown. The first section of Community Groups, Grow to Heal, has concluded, but the next part begins soon - stay tuned!

If you have any interest in getting involved, learning about gardening or healing, please reach out to Ciara. There will be more sessions and more ways to get involved as we move into the summer.

Belated Team Update:

We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge such an integral part of our team on his promotion - Mswati was given the title of Youth Programs Manager back in Fall of 2022! We couldn't be more grateful for his humble hard work and consistent presence for the community and especially for the youth of Charlestown.

Trauma Team Training Highlight

As the Charlestown Trauma Response Team, we are continually attending trainings and seeking out professional development opportunities. This month, we took part in CPR and First Aid Training with Sam Amado from WeighBetterU of Everett. Not only did we have fun but we reviewed so many vital care and response scenarios and techniques. We are all also trained in Narcan and Overdose Prevention, and will be offering these trainings to the community in upcoming months.

Community Partner Spotlight:

Michael, DJ, Annie & Tanisha from Charlestown Court

We are restarting our community partner highlights, to recognize individuals and organizations that work tirelessly in the Charlestown neighborhood.

This month, we want to acknowledge the staff at the Charlestown Division of Boston Municipal Court - specifically Michael, DJ, Tanisha and Annie. These four have been going above and beyond to connect with the community in ways outside of their scope of work. They consistently attend Race Dialogues, and recently have been to multiple community collaborator sessions, from Ending Stigma to Planting Seeds. We are so grateful for their partnership and willingness to show up! Thank you all, so much.

Have someone to nominate? Reach out to Ciara!

In Remembrance of Steven: Two Upcoming Events

Join Susan Rawlinson alongside Friends & Family as she embarks on The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace. They have created a team in honor of Steven Jones. The team is in need of walkers, donors and supporters! Read more here.

And, all are welcome to the 10 Year Anniversary celebration of Steven's life on Saturday May 6th.

Race Dialogues

This past Race Dialogues, our first meeting outside of 2023, was all about stereotypes - our thoughts about them, our experiences with them and how they can be harmful and even dangerous. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Join us on Tuesday May 16th at 5:30pm in the Peace Park 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.

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