September 2006

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Children's joins anti-violence efforts

Nearly every day this summer, local newspapers and TV stations featured stories on Boston youth being involved in violence. So Children's Hospital Boston decided to support our community and political partners to help stem the tide. At the hospital's Peace Day event in July, James Mandell, MD, president and chief executive officer, announced that Children's has donated nearly $1 million to dozens of community outreach programs that help promote peace and prevent violence in local neighborhoods.

"Violence is having a substantial impact on children's physical and mental health in our neighborhoods," Mandell explains. "Part of our mission is to help keep children safe and prevent injuries, so it's imperative that Children's take concrete steps to reduce violence."

At the Peace Day event, more than 100 employees, political leaders, community partners and high school interns—who'd been working at Children's during the summer—showed their support. Lots of attendees wore purple, the city's official color representing peace, and pledged to do their part to create a more peaceful city.

2006 Community Child Health Fund Grant Recipients - Violence Prevention

Urban Improv, Jamaica Plain Bird Street Community Center, Dorchester Sociedad Latina, Roxbury Hyde Square Task Force, Jamaica Plain Crispus Attucks Children's Center, Dorchester Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, Roxbury Boys and Girls Club Charlestown, Charlestown Bikes Not Bombs, Roxbury MissionSAFE, Roxbury YMCA of Greater Boston in Roxbury and Dorchester Boys and Girls Club Youth Services Network, Roxbury GRLZ Radio, Dorchester

The hospital funds were distributed to more than 30 grassroots community groups in the city to subsidize summer jobs for youth, recreational activities and youth development initiatives. Twelve of these organizations received funds through a special round of the Community Child Health Fund (CCHF), focused on violence prevention. (See sidebar for the list of CCHF grantees.) "We know this funding is going to people and groups who make a difference every day in their communities," says Mandell. Four such groups have already made strides: Upham's Corner Health Center will hire a new teen outreach worker, the Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center has begun providing counseling for families dealing with violence and the Dorchester and Roxbury YMCAs each extended their hours.

Children's gave these grants in order to make an immediate impact on the citywide violence. However, the hospital is committed to working on the issue long term and is currently exploring the best ways to partner with other organizations to address this issue. "Mayor Menino has been a strong advocate for all of the institutions in Boston to step up and help," says Mandell. "Our support is just one way we want to join with him and our many community partners to promote peace in Boston."

:: Erin Graham, Editor :: Masthead ::

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