Civic Engagement PCSCOR 325

The Boston Mayor sat down for about 30-minutes and addressed many questions in a public format using the social media giant, Facebook. Trying to address issues specifically in relation to education and innovation, although some other questions did find there way in to the conversation and Walsh answered them as well. This is a good thing to see that Walsh himself is utilizing the tools of social media and not having some intern answer the questions for him.

This article talked about the Buffer zone that has been mandated throughout Massachusetts' health care facilities. The buffer zone outside of the Planned Parenthood in Boston has some committed anti-abortion protesters. The buffer zones are a way for patients seeking help to be freed from harassment from protesters. To some, these protesters are activists whose freedom of speech is being hindered.

This story covers a month-long vigil that I participated in for 5 weeks last October in Exeter, NH. after another unexpected shooting story was in the news. The Social Justice Committee at the church I attend wanted to bring awareness to this recent situation and the continued rampant acts of random gun violence plaguing the country. The vigil also coincided with the 1-year anniversary of the deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut. In the past I would resist small vigils like this one because I believed, and I think erroneously, that something of this size couldn't make a difference (I was thinking of the March on Washington!). But the vigil's goal was simply to raise awareness, encourage conversation and give voice to caring.

Summary: Scotland passes gay marriage. This shows civic engagement because throughout the post people can be seen in both support and opposition of marriage equality. These types of activism show the different sides of civic engagement.

Relentless seniors fight for "The Ride" fare rollback, and win.

This organization takes the goal of helping the homeless to another level.

Their collective civic action succeeded in bringing about a decision to roll back the fares for The Ride paratransit service.

Jeff Skoll created The Skoll Foundation in 1999 to pursue his vision of a sustainable world of peace and prosperity. Led by CEO Sally Osberg since 2001, our mission is to drive large scale change by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs and the innovators who help them solve the world's most pressing problems. Social entrepreneurs are society's change agents, creators of innovations that disrupt the status quo and transform our world for the better.

This is an organization of business and community leaders, working to provide solutions to the problems of a growing city and region.

I found out about this group while looking at Kaitlyn's post regarding the Boston Youth Service Network. This organization is one of the many in the BYSN. They do great work trying to keep kids (of all ages) in school and on an educational path, with college as a goal. I wonder how many UMass students have come through their program.

Although this group is located in Salt lake City, I think that the work that they are doing is awe inspiring. read the history and mission and stratagy, and I think you will be impressed with all that they do with only volunteers.

This is a Diigo post using the Bookmark button.

LINK: http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk This youtube video shows a Dove Campaign. The video shows how people view themselves (specifically woman) and how other people view them. The woman in the video are very harsh on themselves and how they look but when everyone else looks at them they see something different. I think that this video is a perfect example of civic engagement because DOVE is trying to spread a message to woman everywhere a problem that a lot of young and older woman deal with, and that is self esteem issues. This video is very uplifting and is the start to trying to inspire and uplift the spirits of woman all around the world.

Organizations can be transformed to be more reflective of the populations being served racially and ethnically. They can develop a greater respect for and appreciation of cultural, gender, ability, class, religious and orientation differences.

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."