June Insider 2025

June 2025

Issue No. 408

WELCOME TO

The June Insider

What’s Inside:

Hear about last week’s Strengthening Our Community Celebration

June Birthday Bucks are in! See if you won a $50 VISA gift card!

Bay Cove walks in 2025 Boston Pride for the People Parade!

We want to share YOUR Bay Cove story in the special Summer Edition of The Insider! Submit it using the button below by Monday, July 28

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Inside This Edition

CONTENTS Video Message from our President & CEO Last Week's CASPAR Event!

Staff Corner: June Birthday Bucks

Last week, we celebrated a partnership unlike any other.

Bay Cove’s CASPAR Shelter has called the MIT campus home for over FIVE decades, thanks to the enduring support of countless students, faculty, and staff...

June is Pride Month and Bay Cove Walks in Parade!

Office of Advocacy: A Word from Charles Hollins

Center Club Corner A Message from Information Systems (IS)

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READ MORE (PG. 3)

A video message from Kevin Martone, President & CEO Catch up with Kevin! See what he’s been up to this month as he highlights what’s new at Bay Cove.

More About Kevin...

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Last week, we celebrated a partnership unlike any other. Bay Cove’s CASPAR Shelter has called the MIT campus home for over FIVE decades, thanks to the enduring support of countless students, faculty, and staff.

At our Strengthening Our Community Celebration, we proudly honored Sarah Gallop, Director of MIT Government & Community Relations, whose advocacy has helped make CASPAR a lifeline for individuals facing homelessness and substance use challenges.

We’re deeply grateful to the MIT Real Estate Team, Campus Police, Facilities, Community Services Office, and every member of the MIT community who keeps this work going. Together, we’re creating lasting impact and a model for how academic institutions and nonprofits can come together for good.

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Congrats to January’s Submit a story, a Birthday Winners! winBucks or an update to

the Insider!

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If you see these folks, make sure to give them a Bay Cove Welcome!

Damus Adeclat, Nurse -Admissions

Susan Levasseur, Clinical Supervisor, LPHA - ACCS

Lucky Aden, Engagement Partner I - ACCS

Ali Maalim, Case Manager - Housing & Homeless Services

Ruth Anthony-Atuye, Engagement Partner I - ACCS

Stevia Mellien, GLE Engagement Partner II - ACCS

Mamadou Barry, Residential Counselor I

Mirembe Nagawa, Residential Counselor I

Kenya Bracy, Shelter Support Worker

Evangeline Newton, Shelter Support Worker

Jandira Cardoso, Supported Housing Specialist

Juliet Osawaru, Engagement Partner II - ACCS - Community

Melissa Carpenter, Receptionist - Bay Cove Behavioral Health & Wellness Center - Cape Cod

Victoria Payne, Residential Counselor I Keylissa Pena, Engagement Partner II - ACCS - Community

Quionna Cooke, Developmental Specialist

Elaynne Pinales, Navigator

Aletha Cooper, Engagement Partner I - ACCS Kiana Costa, Outpatient Therapist - Fee for Service - Bay Cove Behavioral Health and Wellness Center - Cape Cod Lavauna Curry, IBGLE Engagement Partner I - ACCS Namika Etienne, Case Manager - Co-Occurring Enhanced Services John Francois, Residential Counselor I Miriam Gauthier, Education & Employment Counselor Anastasia Gray, Clinician - Addiction Services - MA/MS Shamia Holley-Crawford, Recovery Specialist Amidat Jamiu, Engagement Partner I - ACCS Cassandra Jn Baptiste, Developmental Specialist Tina Johnson, Residential Support Chanel Jordan, Engagement Partner I - ACCS Mariama Koroma, MH Residential Relief Counselor Ronel Laroche, Maintenance Technician

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Gina Quinn, Individual Support Navigator Vanessa Richmond, DS Residential Relief Counselor Alaiana Robert, Education & Employment Counselor - Per Diem Jared Robinson, Recovery Specialist Taicha Rojas, Peer Support Worker Tonya Vaughn, Special Projects Accountant Samantha Verdecanna, Clinician - UCC - Per Diem Alicia Volel, Clinician - Per Diem Adelle Wang, Community Health Worker Care Coordinator Jona Washington, Engagement Partner I - ACCS Makenna Younger, Case Manager - Diersionary Services Clinician - UCC - Per Diem

M OM CO W EE LL C W

O TO E T E

VE O C Y A B M #TEA

Pride began after the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, when members of the LGBTQ+ community stood up to targeted harassment in New York City. That moment sparked a movement for justice and visibility, leading to the first Pride marches in 1970. This year, Boston’s Pride theme is “Here to Stay,” which speaks to the strength and perseverance of LGBTQ+ people, and the importance of protecting the right to live openly and freely.

At Bay Cove, we know that being a welcoming space for everyone, including our LGBTQ+ community members isn’t just about celebration— it’s an ongoing commitment to be better. Our values call us to stand with the most vulnerable communities, and to ensure our work is grounded in dignity, inclusion, and access for all. As efforts to roll out LGBTQ+ identity and rights increase around the country, our commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community is here to stay.

Bay Cove participated in the Boston Pride for the People Parade this year! We celebrated love, built community, and stood in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

The parade took place on Saturday June 14th.

If you missed the Parade or you’re looking for ways to celebrate Pride Month check out The Rise and Fall of Boston Pride at Boston Public Library on June 26 (click here for details) or Boston’s Big Queer Picnic, at the Boston Common on June 28 (click here for details).

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Bay Cove Human Services at the 119th Annual Dorchester Day Parade Bay Cove Human Services proudly participated in the 119th Annual Dorchester Day Parade with a team of 12 committed volunteers. These passionate individuals worked tirelessly to craft vibrant and eye-catching decorations for our parade vehicles. Together, they adorned a vantop float and a pickup truck with a trailer, all beautifully emblazoned with banners that highlighted the vital work our organization performs in communities.

Our volunteer delegation handed out over 5,000 clapper giveaway items bearing the Bay Cove logo and contact information to access our services. Out of the 75-90 participating parade float groups, Bay Cove was well-known to be among the short list of just 2 or 3 groups giving gifts to every child, adult, and senior we encountered. Often, we were the only group placing a gift directly into the hands of spectators. Upon receiving a clapper, children and adults immediately began using them to fuel the energy in the air, creating a joyful and dynamic atmosphere along the parade route.

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The parade route was 3 miles long, and on May 20, 2024, the Dorchester Reporter stated that historically over 75,000 spectators attended the event. The energy and excitement in the air were palpable, and the cheers for Bay Cove reminded us of the deep connection we share with the communities we serve. It was a testament to the power of unity, resilience, and a shared pursuit of the best possible quality of life—even amidst life’s challenges.

As we made our way along the route, the gratitude and acknowledgment we received were deeply moving. Spectators frequently stopped to express their appreciation for the services we provide, reinforcing the pride our participating staff, persons served, friends, and volunteers feel in our ission. Such moments underscore the profound impact of our work and its role in strengthening the fabric of the community.

Participating in significant community events like the Dorchester Day Parade offers Bay Cove Human Services an invaluable opportunity: to shine as a beacon of hope, raise awareness about the breadth of our services, and demonstrate community solidarity. These events allow us to celebrate the spirit of togetherness that drives our mission and fuels the transformative work we do.

If you are a staff member, someone with lived experience, a member of a Bay Cove board, or simply a proud supporter of our mission, we warmly invite you to join us in future public visibility activities. Together, we can continue to amplify the message of hope and unity that defines Bay Cove. For more information or to get involved, please contact Charles Hollins. Let’s work together to make a difference in the lives of those we serve and the communities we cherish.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Importance of Civic Engagement and Advocacy Civic engagement is the cornerstone of a thriving and equitable society. Staying informed about federal, state, and municipal policies that shape our communities and the work we do is not just a responsibility—it is an opportunity to drive meaningful change. Policies and legislation directly impact the availability, quality, and sustainability of vital community services, including those offered by Bay Cove Human Services. Understanding these dynamics ensures we remain proactive in safeguarding the programs and resources that support individuals and families.

The Power of Staying Informed

Strengthening Community Impact

In a constantly shifting policy landscape, being informed is empowering. Legislative decisions regarding funding, regulations, and the rights of service providers have farreaching impacts on community-based organizations and the people they serve. For example, pay disparity reports highlight systemic inequalities that need addressing for fair compensation across state- operated and nonprofit sectors. Staying up-to-date with developments like Chapter 257 hearings, which set rates for critical services, enables us to advocate effectively for equitable solutions.

Bay Cove Human Services exemplifies the profound impact community organizations can have on individual lives. However, this impact is only sustainable when supported by informed civic engagement.

Participating in annual membership meetings, paying attention to legislative briefings, and contributing to policy discussions ensures the protection and growth of these services.

Active involvement underscores our collective responsibility to advocate for policies that reinforce the foundation on which our communities thrive.

A CALL TO ACTION Engagement does not end with awareness; it requires action. Reach out to your elected officials to discuss the issues affecting your community. Share the importance of securing livable wages, providing adequate resources for stabilization and support services, and addressing pay disparities. Encourage them to champion the policies that uphold the values and needs of the communities they represent.

Every voice matters. Every action counts. Together, we can create a future where community services flourish, ensuring that no individual is left behind. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to civic engagement, advocacy, and the shared vision of a just and inclusive society.

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Key points from the June 18, 2025, Provider’s Council meeting, recorded by Caroline O’Neill: State House updates: Senate Budget, Pay Disparity Report Update Senate Budget: The Massachusetts House and Senate have put forward their budget proposals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which starts on July 1. The Conference Committee will now work to reconcile the differences between the House’s (HB4001) $61.5 billion and the Senate’s (SB2525) $61.4 billion budget proposals.

The Senate will vote today on a $532 million budget bill that allocates more than $340 million for hospitals and community health centers, additional aid for elder home care services, and rental assistance, while also creating a fund to expand artwork in Senate quarters within the State House. The bill directs funds to several accounts that were underfunded in the fiscal 2025 annual budget.

Elder care providers, who have requested more funding to meet the demand for basic and intensive home care services, would receive $60 million. Additionally, it includes $42.9 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program.

Pay disparity report: The pay disparity report, which details the differences in pay between state-operated workers and private community-based nonprofits, is expected to be released in the coming week. Once available, there will be a briefing with legislators to review the findings and advocate for the passage of our livable wage bill.

Chapter 257: The Council attended five Chapter 257 hearings on Friday, June 13, including: 101 CMR 415.00, Rates for Community-Based Day Support Services 101 CMR 413.00, Payments for Youth Intermediate-term Stabilization Services 101 CMR 429.00, Rates for Certain Sexual and Domestic Violence Services 101 CMR 432.00, Rates for Certain Lead Agency Services 101 CMR 414.00, Rates for Family Stabilization Services

ADVOCACY: EVERY VOICE MATTERS Advocacy amplifies the concerns of those who may not have platforms to speak for themselves.

When calls-to-action arise, it is essential to engage with your state representatives and senators actively. Communicating what is important to you—and the actions you expect them to take—ensures that decision-makers understand the urgency of protecting essential services.

Whether the issue is securing livable wages, maintaining funding for stabilization services, or promoting equitable rates for community-based day support, your voice has the power to influence outcomes.

ADDP Annual Membership Meeting September 30, 2025 click here to learn more

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