$1 MILLION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DIRECT FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF
Mayor Kim Janey, the City of Boston Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement are awarding $1 million dollars to the Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative (MIC) to support Boston residents who were not eligible for federal COVID-19 relief benefits. MIC will distribute the funds as cash assistance to families in need, regardless of immigration status.
MIC will evaluate applications based on Boston residency, household income, access to direct federal COVID-19 relief benefits, and financial need. Cash aid will be given in proportion to the applicant’s economic situation. To request an application, call 617-804-0887 or email Mia Smith at [email protected].
HAP NOW AT BPL
The Boston Public Library announced that the Homework Assistance Program (HAP) has launched for the 2021-2022 school year. HAP is a free after-school program led by teen mentors that offers homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8.
“As we enter a new school year, the BPL is dedicated to helping students across the city succeed, both academically and personally,” said BPL President David Leonard. “HAP is designed to aid students as they face the unique set of opportunities and challenges that the 2021-2022 school year brings. We aim to create a safe space for young Bostonians to learn, and find mentors to help them. Our youth engagement services are critical as we continue to navigate and recover from the social impacts of COVID-19.”
Sessions will take place Mondays – Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 pm and are open on a drop-in basis, registration is not required. Mentorship is available in Arabic, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Vietnamese. See the full language schedule below. Students can join in-person at the following branches: Adams Street, Brighton, Codman Square, Connolly, East Boston, Egleston Square, Fields Corner, Grove Hall, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lower Mills, Mattapan, Parker Hill, Roslindale, Roxbury, South End, and Uphams Corner, or online via Zoom from any location.
There will be 55 homework assistance mentors in grades 10-12 spread across the branches, all trained by Harvard University’s Public School Partnerships team, the developers of SmartTALK. The goal of the program is to create both in-person and virtual spaces for students to work on homework with peers or to get extra guidance on assignments in any subject, from sciences to humanities.
HAP is generously funded by Bain Capital Children’s Charity, Ernst & Young, M&T Charitable Foundation, The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Nasella, Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund, Red Sox Foundation, The TJX Foundation, Inc., and an anonymous donor.
To learn more about the Homework Assistance Program, and other online homework help resources, visit bpl.org/homework.
Language Schedule:
Arabic
• East Boston: Monday, Wednesday
• Roxbury: Monday, Thursday
• South End: Monday, Wednesday
• Online on Zoom: Monday, Tuesday
Haitian Creole
• Egleston Sq: Tuesday, Thursday
• Hyde Park: Monday, Wednesday
• Mattapan: Tuesday, Thursday
Spanish
• Connolly: Monday, Tuesday
• East Boston: Monday – Thursday
• Egleston Sq: Monday – Thursday
• Grove Hall: Monday, Tuesday
• Roxbury: Tuesday, Thursday
• Online on Zoom: Tuesday, Thursday
Vietnamese
• Adams St: Monday – Thursday
• Codman Sq: Monday, Wednesday
• Fields Corner: Monday, Tuesday
• Hyde Park: Tuesday, Thursday
• Online on Zoom: Monday – Wednesday
BOSTON TO PARTICIPATE IN ‘HOUSE AMERICA’ INITIATIVE TO END HOMELESSNESS
Mayor Kim Janey joined other cities and municipalities to announce Boston’s commitment to participate in President Biden’s House America program to prevent homelessness. House America is the federal government’s direct response to the crisis of housing insecurity. In March, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress, which found that more than 580,000 people across the country experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2020, prior to the pandemic. COVID-19 has created greater urgency to address homelessness, given economic disparities and the heightened health risks faced by people experiencing homelessness. However, COVID-19 has slowed re-housing activities due to capacity issues and impacts on rental market vacancies.
BOSTON YOUTH POET LAUREATE SEARCH
The City of Boston is looking for youth interested in civic challenge to Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate!
Participants must be:
• 13-18 years old
• Residents of the city of Boston for at least one year prior to nomination
• Passionate about poetry and the written and spoken word
• Willing to participate in readings, workshops, and events throughout the city.
The selected Youth Poet Laureate will serve at least one two-year term under the mentorship of current Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola. They will receive a $2,000 honorarium each year, and will also publish their own collection of poetry.
The deadline to apply is November 14, 2021 at 5 p.m. Please spread the word to anyone you know that might be interested!