In Brief

Black History Month Student Art Works Contest

            The Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Arts and Culture, Boston Public Schools and media partner Boston 25 put out an open call for student artists to submit artworks inspired by landmarks related to black history in Boston in honor of February’s Black History month.

            The purpose of the art contest is to inspire students to celebrate the City’s History. Submission deadline is Friday, February 16.

            Mayor Martin J. Walsh encourages all students in grades 6 to 12 to participate.

Boston Saves Hirers New Program Manager

            Gosia Tomaszewska has been hired as Boston Saves Program Manager, the City of Boston’s children’s savings account program, according to Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development.

Tomaszewska reportedly brings several years of experience managing and developing programs to encourage and assist individuals and families with saving and managing finances.

“Programs like Boston Saves are essential to supporting working families here in Boston,” the Mayor said. “Gosia’s commitment to financial literacy will allow us to build our success.”

Youth Ideas Wanted to Improve Neighborhoods

            Boston students are encouraged to submit ideas to improve neighborhoods by sending ideas for the Boston’s “Youth Lead the Change” $1 million program.

            For the fifth year in a row, youth ages 12-25 have the opportunity to submit ideas for how the City spends $1 million of its Capital Budget through the “Youth Lead the Change” program.

            “By involving young people in the budget process, we are empowering our future leaders and supporting what really matters to them,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said.

Pharmaceuticals Subject to Litigation

            Committed and supported to recovery of those suffering from substance abuse disorders in Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh is exploring mass tort litigation against several pharmaceutical companies that irresponsibly saturated the market with opiates knowingly putting consumers at risk for addiction.

            Over the last few months, the City has been meeting with various law firms collecting relevant information in preparation for potential litigation.

            The Mayor will be issuing a Request For Information (RFI) on Monday, February 5 from law firms, researchers and other interested parties that would inform the City’s approach to potential litigation.

City Receives $150,000 Food Grant

            A $150,000 grant that will benefit 57,000 Boston Public School students and support BPS’s program BOSFoodLove a partnership between BPS’s Food and Nutrition Services and the Mayor’s Office of Food Access.

            The grant will work to ensure each and every child receives healthy and delicious meals to fuel their school performance and success.

            “Mayors across the country are leading the way to make sure our students and families have access to fresh, healthy food,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said.

WECA to host AirBnBs discussion

The West End Civic Association (WECA) will welcome a representative from the Association of Downtown Community Organizations (ADCO) to speak at our winter meeting on what needs to be done to control the proliferation of AirBnBs and illegal rentals in West End apartment buildings.

All West Enders are welcome and refreshments will be served.

The meeting will be held Thursday, February 15, at 7 p.m., at the Amy Lowell Community Room, 65 Martha Road.

Seating is limited; doors will open at 6:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

If you are not yet a member, consider joining WECA. You can ensure that our residents’ needs are brought to the attention of our city government.

Stand with us to help protect the future of our West End neighborhoods.