Civic Engagement PCSCOR 325

The Mother's Day Walk for Peace began in 1996 for families who had lost their children to violence. On a day that we celebrate mothers and children, the Walk became a place for families and friends to feel support and love with thousands of others who pledge their commitment to peace.

Rashaun, are you going to walk? The expirence is amazing!!!! A few years ago, I was on the Board of Directors for the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and Tina Chery and I have a relationship that spans many years. I was honored to be asked by her to serve on the board for around 2 years. I try and support the walk and her efforts every year. Last year my mother was very sick (dying) and it was a litttle too much for me to walk, but this year, I'll be there.

Ed, I have walked a few times in the past. Great agency and I'm not surprised that you've been able to do some work with them...I'm not sure if my family will walk this year as its my wife's first year as a mother and she may opt to do something different. I'm still gonna push her though>>>

Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts (LVM) is about bringing people together to make a real difference. LVM trains volunteers who provide free, confidential and individualized tutoring to adults in basic literacy and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

The about us statement says it all: "Founded in 2009 as Holla Back DC!, Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) has evolved from a blog to a dynamic organization that mobilizes the community to end public sexual harassment and assault in the DC metropolitan area. It does this through both online and offline activism, including workshops, innovative direct services, policy advocacy, and community outreach. Currently volunteer-led and -run, CASS utilizes the creativity and energy of the DC community to further its mission and vision".

Another example of how engagement and advocacy can be created in many different ways

PLYMOUTH - South Shore Community Action Council Inc. hosted its 19th annual Local Heroes Awards Night March 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth, sponsored by Rockland Trust Co., Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Curtis Construction, and other area businesses. Each year, SSCAC recognizes those individuals, organizations, and businesses that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to fighting poverty and improving the lives of South Shore residents. Master of Ceremonies, Senate President Therese Murray, presented each Local Hero with a certificate of recognition from U.S. Rep. William Keating and official citations. This year's Local Heroes include:Brendan Haas - In February of 2012, then 9 years old, Brendan Haas, of Kingston, used Facebook to start a "trading up" program called "A Soldier for a Soldier." Starting with a toy soldier, Brendan eventually traded up for an all-expense paid trip to Disney. On Memorial Day, 2012, he gave that trip to the family of Timothy Steele of Duxbury, a soldier killed in Afghanistan. When Good Morning America gave him another trip as a reward for his generosity, he gave that trip away to another military family. Brendan is currently trading up to raise funds to move a solar house built and donated by MIT from storage in Boston to donated land in Princeton. Once the house is moved to its new location, he plans to give it to yet another military family. I think this article is important because it gives credits to us little people who are making a difference in the community.

Here is a unique mode of civic engagement. - "A Tennessee lawmaker has relented and agreed to drop his bill linking academic performance to the family's welfare benefits after an 8-year-old girl shamed him by following him around the state Capitol."

Research and theory on mentoring.

This is a great place to look at what we can do to make change right here in MA. Granted, this is much more that needs to be done -- but as I look at this list it makes me wonder, "where do I fit in?"

These two links highlight the work of one of my former colleagues and friend Cynthia Loesch. Cynthia has been an advocate for her neighborhood of Codman Square (located in Boston) since her teenage years. She recently built a 100% green home inside her community which she used as a model to allow neighborhood residents to learn how to conduct green retrofitting ideas to be more energy efficient and to save money. http://www.81brent.org

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti announces that the Brockton After Dark summer program will start on July 2nd. Various activities will take place over the course of the summer at different locations throughout the city until August 24th. "Brockton After Dark accomplishes more than just keeping youth busy," said Mayor Balzotti. "The wide range of activities offered enables young people to take part not only in athletics, but also social and leadership development activities, learning skills that will stay with them for many years to come." Now in its ninth year, Brockton After Dark provides athletic and enrichment opportunities to youth, ages 13-20, at no cost, weeknights during the summer. Brockton After Dark will not be held Wednesday, July 4th. Various activities include basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, hip hop dancing, and art classes, as well as several other programs, which can be found on the City of Brockton's web site. Food will be provided at most sites. This is a great program to get these youth off the streets. I think many cites need to look into this and see if there city has funds for these programs.

This is nice Gwen! This program goes hand in hand with your community project! I also agree that if we had these type of programs available to our youth in more towns and cities, many lives would be changed for the better!