South Boston Graduate: Quantae Blakey

are some amazing staff and teachers there, but it’s chaotic, and kids pull fire alarms and then everyone deals with that,” he said with a sense of resignation. “I deal with it by staying to myself. I used to play basketball and football when I was younger but didn’t here.”

Quantae observes closely and comments thoughtfully. “I didn’t have much guidance at all growing up, my mom had her own issues, so I learned to rely on myself and keep a steady mindset.” He also experienced a number of loses in his family and has concluded that “life is difficult,” but he looks for “lessons.”

Quantae became involved with the Youth Advisory Board at Spoke Gallery, in South Boston that was developed to build community and artistic leadership. He remembers liking to free- draw when he was younger, but hasn’t been involved in the arts since, until now.

“To be honest, it was the money that appealed to me first. A friend told me about it.” he said referring to the stipends offered to students. “But it’s a community. A bunch of lives and stories coming together. It could be like a family. It’s supportive,” he said. “Charles, Autumn, and Richie are getting to know me, and we can talk about art and ourselves. It’s good. I think I will stick with it for another year.”

Quantae Blakey articulates his

Celebrating Kate Bennett

Kate Bennett, administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, was celebrated last Saturday at the Peace Breakfast at Monica’s Kitchen/St. Monica Church. Kate is retiring after a long and distinguished career as an advocate for housing justice and as a public servant to individuals and families seeking affordable and safe housing.

values clearly and without hesitation.

“What is important to me is self-respect, respect for others, and having morals. I know my limits and I want to understand myself and others. I know how to treat people,” he said softly but surely. “I was depressed and angry at fifteen-sixteen, and never asked for help,” he adds.

His goals are not unlike many new high school graduates. “I want to work in culinary arts or the trades,” he said.” My long, long-range goals is to get a home, and if I have the right woman, to be a dad. Those are long term. Right now, I need to get my ID and get a good job.” Quantae Blakey may have had to go it alone early, but he now has a community joining his family. There is ample reason to believe that the next article may well be about his success in an area of one of his many talents. Congratulations, Quantae! Your community is proud of you.

(If you know of others graduates you would like to see in this column, please contact carolhardt@comcast.net)

Peace Picnic

The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and the smiles were big at the Monica’s Kitchen Peace Picnic Wednesday night on the St. Monica’s lawn. There were burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips, ice cream, camaraderie, games, and more. Everyone was welcome to join together to build a community of peace.

Massport will host a hybrid information session (in-person and virtually) to provide an overview of the topics that will be included in the upcoming 2022 Boston Logan International Airport ESPR. These topics include: ground transportation, activity levels/ forecasting, aircraft noise, air quality, regional transportation, and airport planning. This information session will be streamed in English and Spanish.

The hybrid information session will take place: Monday, June 26, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. Cathy Leonard-McLean Community Room Logan Airport’s Rental Car Center* 15 Transportation Way East Boston, MA 02128

To access the meeting link and for more information, please visit: www.massport.com/logan-airport/about-logan/ environmental-reports/

*Limited parking is available at the front parking lot of the Rental Car Center; Access also available via the MBTA Blue Line Airport Station and Massport bus.

Additional languages for the Public Information Session on the 2022 Boston Logan International Airport Environmental Status and Planning Report will be available upon request; requests for additional languages are due by Thursday, June 22, 2023. For more information or to request translation services please contact community@massport.com.

Pueden solicitarse servicios de interpretación en otros idiomas para la sesión informativa pública sobre el Informe de Estado Medioambiental y Planificación del Aeropuerto Internacional de Boston Logan; las solicitudes de otros idiomas deben enviarse antes del jueves 22 de junio de 2023. Para obtener más información o para solicitar servicios de interpretación, escriba a community@massport.com.

Lang adisyonèl pou Sesyon Enfòmasyon Piblik sou Planifikasyon ak Rapò Sitiyasyon Anviwònman Ayewopò Entènasyonal Boston Logan pou ane 2022 a ap disponib sou demann, ou dwe fè demann pou lòt lang yo anvan jedi 22 jen 2023. Pou plis enfòmasyon oswa pou mande sèvis tradiksyon, tanpri, kontakte community@massport.com.

Outros idiomas para a Sessão de Informação ao Publico sobre o Relatório do Planejamento e Situação Ambiental de 2022 do Aeroporto Internacional de Logan em Boston serão disponibilizados mediante solicitação. O prazo para o pedido de idiomas adicionais terminará na quinta-feira, dia 22 de junho de 2023. Para obter mais informações ou solicitar serviços de tradução, contate community@massport.com.

Tiếng Việt Các ngôn ngữ thêm cho Phiên Thông Tin Công Cộng về Tường Trình Hoạch Định và Trạng Thái Môi Trường của Phi Trường Quốc Tế Boston Logan năm 2022 sẽ có sẵn theo yêu cầu; yêu cầu thêm ngôn ngữ phải có trước Thứ Năm, ngày 22 tháng 6 năm 2023. Để biết thêm thông tin hoặc để yêu cầu dịch vụ dịch thuật, hãy liên hệ community@massport.com.

By Carol Masshardt

There is a special joy in the accomplishments of adults who work tirelessly to learn the English language and culture. Such was the experience on June 15, 2023, as sixteen new graduates received Certificates of Completion at Level 6, the most advanced stage in acquiring English as a second language. They are women and men, some parents, nearly all working, and all determined to better their lives and those of their families. In addition to taking the classes and studying, many, according to coordinator, Trevor Farrell, work two jobs.

“They become motivated, and we see how what they learn helps them reach their dreams. They grow exponentially as they learn, and it is very gratifying,” said Farrell. “They also are so appreciative of the opportunity.”

In the current class, twenty began and sixteen completed, which is quite exceptional for a program of adults with complex lives and multiple demands. They are Spanish, Arabic, Ukrainian. French, Russian and Haitian