SBOL_11_02_2023

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Why Vote?

By Carol Masshardt

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hy bother to make the effort, especially for a local city council election, and take two minutes to exercise one of the most important acts in a democracy? The answers are steeped in philosophy, justice, histor y, psycholog y, and experience. There was a commonly expressed wish for a productive, fair, and respectful city council that can tune into the needs of the everyday citizen. The conduct of construction projects, on-going traffic and safety issues, schools, and preservation of green space were named more than one

by South Boston voters. Here is what a sampling of residents voting on a summer-like day at the Condon Community School of Oct. 27th had to say about voting and their hopes for the

communit y. Despite serious concerns, voters came with the hope that their voice can matter.

“I’m a member of the Painter’s and Allied Trades Union (DC35), and I make sure to vote for our endorsed candidates. I grew up on D. and own a house now on Bolton St. and know the community well. My concerns are that the elected people deal with parking and traffic. Broadway from E. to Broadway on Friday and Saturday nights is like a oneway street. Safety is a problem with this going on.” Bob Lafferty “I vote because I want a say in what is going on. What is important for me here is that the streets are clean, and the trash removed. I also want things to move faster, and I think there is too much bureaucracy.” Ricardo “I always vote because if you don’t then you have no say. It’s a Continued on Page 2

Stand-Out at Sr. Mary Veronica SND Park

by Rick Winterson

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South Boston StandOut took place last Saturday afternoon, October 28. In South Boston, “Stand-Outs” are a traditional method of publicizing major

political issues, demonstrating for election campaigns, or bringing community problems to everyone’s attention. While Sat u rd ay’s St a nd- Out had overtones of all three kinds, its main purpose was to address a Continued on Page 5

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Continued from Page 1

WHY VOTE? scary world and I want the right people. Our responsibility is to vote. You can’t complain if you don’t vote, even if it is the least of two evils. It takes people to make a change.” Catherine Mullen “We care about government and how it is run. I’m old fashioned enough to think it matters. We complain so we can at least do what we can and one of those is voting. My major issues for the city are the schools, and that maintenance of space and preservation of open space. I want a good environment.” Jean “I vote because my ancestors didn’t have the right. I always

BPD Officer Adrienne Thornton and Election Official Sydney Peterson processing ballots. take my kids to show them even when it feels like it won’t matter.

We were granted an opportunity to vote and now we should.

I would like to see attention to West Broadway and the West Broadway Development.

Everyone should have the same

VOTE EARLY

BOSTON Vote early at any of Boston’s early voting locations from Saturday, October 28 to November 3, 2023.

If you miss the early voting period, you can still vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7.

Find the time and location that works for you!

Scan the QR code, visit boston.gov/early-voting or call 3-1-1

response regardless of whether you are in the Seaport, East Broadway, or a project. For example, there is construction that goes on without respect for people trying to live here. When people give up on voting it is because they can’t believe their input is important, and I try to think it does.” Beverly Benton “I like to feel that I have some input into decisions in my communit y. I want the government to function optimally. The way to do this is to get good people elected.

I’m glad there are people with energ y. The most important issue to me is the schools.

Everything else is secondary.

Beyond that I would like to see that space is utilized for things other than development.” David “I vote because I always came with my mother and I ‘ve seen her try to speak out. I want to be seen and heard. There should be equal representation for all races, and everyone treated equally.

My concerns here are about construction, safety, disposing materials from sites near school areas. This wouldn’t happen in other places. The City Council and other elected people should be about the people and not yelling at each other.” Naajauh You may have issues and hopes for the City Council or complaints you wish to express.

Start with voting on Nov. 7th and in the elections to follow.

Contact Boston City Hall if you have not yet registered.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Paid for by Forward Boston Independent Expenditure PAC.

VOTE FOR ERIN MURPHY & BRIDGET NEE-WALSH FOR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE ON NOVEMBER 7TH Proudly Endorsed by Boston City Council President Ed Flynn

President of the Boston City Council (District 2); U.S. Navy (retired); Veteran - Operation Enduing Freedom

Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy is a lifelong Bostonian who knows how to get things done.

Endorsed by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, city workers and our first responders, Murphy will continue to fight for workers by protecting jobs and demanding fair wages, while also keeping our neighborhoods safe.

As a single mom and former Boston public school teacher, Murphy will work tirelessly on behalf of parents to improve our schools and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Bridget Nee-Walsh

Bridget Nee-Walsh brings traditional, blue collar values in her mission to build a better Boston. A proud union ironworker and devoted mom, Bridget understands the tough challenges of working families and will fight for a stronger middle-class.

With the same fearlessness she has shown while working high atop the City’s towering buildings, Bridget will dedicate herself to improving the lives of all Bostonians.

These are not empty pledges, but promises kept by a proven leader.

Murphy will also fight for:

Bridget will also fight for:

• More Affordable Housing • Community Policing • Expanding Green Spaces

• Growing Small Businesses • More Job Creation & Workforce Training • Tutoring and Vocational Programs for Our Students

Vote for Erin Murphy for Boston City Council At-Large on November 7, 2023

Vote for Bridget Nee-Walsh for Boston City Council At-Large on November 7, 2023

Murphy and Nee-Walsh – strong, independent voices committed to standing up for the working class.

Paid for by Forward Boston Independent Expenditure PAC. Top Contributors: Charles M. Talanian, James Davis, and Thomas Kershaw. For more information regarding contributors, go to www.ocpf.us.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Councilor President Flynn Respectfully Asks For Your Vote Next Tuesday, November 7th

I

would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my neighbors, friends, and constituents for allowing me the privilege to serve as your District 2 Boston City Councilor. I sincerely appreciate the courtesy you have extended to my family, my staff and I at civic meetings and events across our city. It is an honor to serve as your District 2 City Councilor, and I have worked hard every day for our residents and community.

I am respectfully asking for your vote next Tuesday, November 7th to continue my focus on constituent services and quality of life issues in District 2.

Throughout my time in office, I have used my position of public trust to speak out on many important issues through City Council Hearings, community meetings, press releases, letters, social media platforms, as well as with our civic groups. As

an elected official, my focus has always remained on public safet y, housing stabilit y & affordability, social & economic justice, and quality of life issues for our residents and families.

In terms of public safety, I have been a strong advocate of pedestrian and traffic safety on all of our roads. I advocated for a 12 point safety plan and held hearings to advocate for traffic calming infrastructure improvements, slower speeds and increased enforcement. I called for and held hearings on many other public safety issues, including construction safety and gas leaks in the City of Boston.

I n a dd it ion, I h ave consistently called for hiring hundreds of Boston Police Department officers every year for the next ten years to address long standing issues of forced overtime, overstretched resources,

a nd

loom i ng ret i rement s.

When it comes to housing, I held hearings during my time in office on affordable housing and the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) to help keep working families in Boston. I have held hearings on increased property taxes and advocated for relief for longtime neighbors. I also passed an ordinance previously to help our seniors who have fallen behind on their property ta xes to pay with reduced interest and on more affordable terms. I continue to advocate for neighbors and civic groups when it comes to zoning and licensing matters at City Hall.

Moreover, I have always stood with our working families seeking fair and living wages, a f fordable hea lt hc a re, sa fe working conditions and a secure retirement. W hether it was United Steelworkers during the National Grid lockout, Unite Here Local 26 at Marriott Hotels, UFCW 1445 at Stop & Shop or Macy’s, my family and I have always been proud to stand with organized labor. I also joined workers and advocates fighting against wage theft, and passed resolutions in the City Council in support of laid-off workers at our various hotels.

Wit h accessibilit y a nd inclusion in mind, I continue to advocate for improved language access at all levels of our city

government. My social media posts are translated into Spanish and Chinese, and I have five women of color on my staff who are bilingual. Moreover, I have been working on the issue of digital equity and ensuring that our residents have access to a f fordable internet and digital resources. I also work closely with the Disabilit y Commission on accessibility for our persons with disabilities.

I continue to advocate at City Hall when it comes to many neighborhood and quality of life issues. For instance, this includes additional pest control resources for our dedicated city employees to help provide this public health and quality of life issue the attention it deserves.

Government serves us best when it takes the legitimate concerns of its citizens and civic organizations seriously. I have not only listened to your concerns, but have taken the lead on issues affecting our most basic government services. I promise to continue to advocate on behalf of the people of District 2, listen to your feedback, be accessible in our community, and work hard to deliver results for all of our neighbors.

Sincerely, Ed Flynn Boston City Councilor, District 2

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Continued from Page 1

Veronica Park serious community problem.

The problem in question is the sale of South Boston’s Sr. Mary Veronica SND Park by the Archdiocese of Boston, which holds the title directly ever since St. Augustine Church closed.

The sale will be to a developer, who then intends to shut down the Park and build housing on it.

This Park is located on West Eighth Street between F and Grimes Streets. It is open to everyone. And it is small – at 50 by 100, it’s approximately 5,000 square feet. Five basswood/ linden trees encircled by small garden plots are located in the Park, as well as a couple of trees along the bordering sidewalk.

The Park has five benches that can seat perhaps 30 people. In the interior of the Park, there’s an imposing grotto to the Virgin Mary, in memory of Sr. Mary Veronica SND. Overall, it is pleasant and very (!) shady.

More important is the Park’s history. It was opened exactly 55 years ago in November, 1968; it might be one of the very first so-called “pocket parks” in Boston. Our City is known for its major green areas, such as the Public Garden and “The Emerald Necklace”. Pocket parks bring intimate green spaces to Boston’s neighborhoods.

Even more important, in our opinion, is the fact that neighborhood efforts, aided by St. Augustine Church and the City of Boston, created

the Park. Still maintained by local residents, the Park preserves the memory of Sr. Mary Veronica, the former Mary Greene of South Boston. She dedicated her life to the SND, which stands for the “Sisters of Notre Dame”, and she passed from us at a much too early age 40. A further deep historic root goes back to St. Julie Billiart, the Founder of the SND in 1804. The SND has been active in America and in South Boston ever since the mid1800s, more than 150 years ago.

The efforts to preser ve the Park are spearheaded by “The Committee to Save Mary Veronica Park ”.

We had a brief, in-person interview with Vicky Shea, one of the nine Committee members.

Vicky

informed us that the City will not permit any variances to the potential construction on the Park’s land. She also assured us that nowadays the Park is totally

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maintained (!) by the volunteer efforts of the neighborhood’s residents, with mention of the Itri family’s ongoing work.

She then emceed the speaking portion of the Stand-Out, and mentioned that the recent petition to save the Park has reached 1,500 signatures. She thinks it could reach 2,000 or more when it is completed.

Cit y Council President Ed Flynn, who lives nearby on Gold Street, stepped up with his support for keeping the Park.

Kevin Conroy piped his rendering of “The Wearing O’ the Green”, and the new Park sign was unveiled and mounted

by Shawn Hilliard and Michael Sheehan, as a hundred Stand-Out participants loudly applauded.

We’ll close by mentioning our own support for keeping Sr. Mary Veronica SND Park as a muchloved neighborhood Green Space.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Voters Across Boston are Supporting Erin Murphy for City Council At-Large

eviewing a first term that began during the pandemic, saw significant gains for veterans’ voting rights, and was marked by a singular commitment to constituent services, At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy said this week she plans to redouble City Hall’s efforts on improved schools, increased programming for seniors, and substance abuse and recovery services if re-elected on November 7th.

Murphy, a longtime Boston Public Schools teacher and single mother, said she had been disappointed by the level of discourse on the City Council the last two years, and was hoping colleagues would bring a renewed focus to issues that matter to Boston’s working families in the next several months.

“As a councilor who does her level best to represent all of Boston’s neighborhoods, with a particular eye on addressing historical inequities in the system, it’s important to me that our constituents have faith and trust in us,” Murphy said. “I’ve tried to earn that by being responsive on constituent services, standing up on issues that aren’t always popular, and always coming down on the side of working families.

Endorsed by all of South Boston’s elected officials including US Representative Stephen F. Lynch, Council President Ed Flynn, and a host of labor groups including all four major first responder unions, Murphy said her first-term efforts for increased access to reading education services for special education ESL learners, before-

and after-school programming, and fully funding the city’s public safety programs would only ratchet up if voters deliver her to a second term.

“Erin brings the fierce commitment to constituent services, balanced with a thoughtful and compassionate approach to policy, that we all want in our elected officials,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who along with Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins endorsed Murphy this week, Hayden’s only formal endorsement in the At-Large race.

“She ran promising to be her constituents’ ‘Go-To Call at City Hall,’ and she has truly lived up to that and exceeded it,” Hayden said.

After delivering her maiden speech on the importance of supporting youth mental health services, Murphy followed through on agenda of practical policy stances during an otherwise turbulent term in the Council. Her first ordinance resulted in uniformed service members being allowed to vote electronically via absentee ballot.

She waged a difficult but ultimately victorious battle to safeguard constitutional voting rights over redistricting. She pushed a pro-student education agenda, including school safety and a more robust athletics budget.

Murphy has advocated for adherence to the Article 80 community review process for development, increased affordable housing, and urged the Boston Public Health Commission to declare a state of emergency at Mass and Cass. She voted for millions in grants, over the opposition of some of her colleagues, for antigang and anti-terrorism programs.

Murphy was first elected in 2021, after more than 20 years as a Boston Public Schools teacher. A lifelong Dorchester resident, she attended BPS, worked her way through the University of Massachusetts Boston and her Master’s degree from Fitchburg State University, while raising her three children in the city as a single mom.

Since taking citywide office, Murphy has delivered on her promise to be the “go-to call at City Hall” for constituents in every neighborhood, delivering on a broad range of her priorities, including education, senior services, substance abuse and recovery, job growth, safer streets, veterans’ priorities, and increased opportunities for small businesses and people of color.

Murphy has been working hard to earn votes in every neighborhood in advance of the November 7th City Council election. Visit her website at ErinforBoston.com to learn more.

What Is It? This picture was captured, at great peril to the photographer’s life and limb, from a part of the wilderness that’s prevalent along Marine Road. We are not sure what it is, but it blossomed very late in the 2023 autumnal season, possibly due to the warm weather and frequent rainfall.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Final Mass/Cass Clean-Out Begins

by Rick Winterson

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esterday morning, W e d n e s d a y , November 01, the area around Atkinson Street where it intersects Southampton Street – commonly ca lled “Mass/Cass” – began its final clean-out.

We say “f inal” because this time, the promised removal must be successful.

Since 2014, “Mass/Cass” has been an eyesore in and around Boston’s South End and Ne w ma rket neig hborhood s.

This has gone on for the last nine years, ever since the Long Island Bridge from Quincy to Long Island was condemned.

And in 2015, the bridge was torn down. Of course, this disrupted the use of the Island’s facilities for dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse among the homeless people of Boston.

Temporary “camps” for drug users, many of them homeless,

began in a BMC parking lot at the intersection of Mass. Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (hence “Mass/Cass”).

These camps soon moved to the Atkinson-Southampton junction, but were still named “Mass/ Cass”. All measures to date for closing and removing Mass/Cass have been complete failures.

Many of the homeless individuals from Mass/Cass used to hang out in Andrew Square, seeking

handouts and “spare change”.

Fina lly, Cit y of Boston of f icia ls have re solved to eliminate Mass/Cass for good, sta rting yesterday morning, November 01. City Council President Ed Flynn and BPD Station C- 6 Captain Joseph Boyle were on hand for several hours yesterday to oversee the startup of the removal. About 10 0 home le s s i nd iv idu a l s remain in Mass/Cass. As of this

writing, adequate temporar y quarters have been assembled for them and a sizable number of the makeshift blue plastic tents a long At k inson have already been removed.

We hope that progress continues.

Mass/Cass remova l is a welcome, long-awaited relief.

Over the next several weeks, Sout h Boston Online w ill cover the removal and report on its progress. Stay tuned!

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Community Effort Seven2 Foundation Rallies Support for Kids, Small Businesses

By Ginger DeShaney

C

ampbell Marchant has been in South Boston since March 2022, but he’s already making an impact on the neighborhood.

After getting the lay of the land last November and not wanting to step on any toes, Campbell launched his first Southie Kids Food Drive 12 days before Thanksgiving, raising $7,000 for 700 meals for kids at the Condon, Tynan, Excel High School, and more.

This year, his goal is to raise $30,000 for 2,000 meals for Boston Public Schools students and others in need. He’s already at $10,000 and has a Southie Kids Food Drive fundraiser at Capo on Nov. 9 from 6-9 p.m.

“I’d like everyone to be aware of the work we are doing.

We’ve put long hours into this and are hoping those long hours will pay off with a lot of full

bellies this Thanksgiving,” said Campbell, 27. “But we can’t do that without the help of everyone else.

“We’re trying to positively impact the kids who are the future of the community as well as support the backbone of South Boston, the small family-owned restaurants and businesses.”

According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, in 2022, 33 percent of Massachusetts households – or one in three – faced food insecurity. “This means that a child was hungry, skipped a meal, or did not eat for a whole day because there wasn’t enough money for food,” the report states.

While living in Springfield in 2021 and seeing so many people affected by COVID-19, Campbell wondered what he could do for the community. He decided to do a food drive and raised $6,500 in three weeks to purchase meals from local restaurants to feed school students and the homeless.

When he moved to South Boston, Campbell, who works in software sales, wanted to continue the work.

He created the Seven2 Foundation and is waiting for final approval from the Secretary of State’s office. Seven2 refers to his football jersey number (72) at Longmeadow High School and Framingham State.

He has a natural affinity for

talking to people, letting them know what he’s doing, and getting donations and raffle items. His parents, Tim and Peggy, were small business owners, so he knows the importance of small businesses to a community.

His event at Capo will feature a celebrity bartender competition, delicious food, a live band, and raffles, including items from the Celtics, Bruins, New England Revolution, Ochoa Hair Salon, Fresh, PKL, Lifted, and more.

And while Campbell is the main man, he gets lots of help from his parents, his girlfriend, Juliana Restrepo, friends, and even strangers.

“The community has really stepped up; everyone wants to be a part of this,” he said. “I’m so appreciative of the support. It also shows how proud everyone is to call Southie home.”

Campbell reaches out to school and club officials who select the kids for meals. Campbell and his crew will then pick up the meals from places like Fresh, Rondo’s, McGoo’s, Cafe Portobello, and others and drop them off.

Campbell’s nonprofit aspires to be “patchwork people,” a small group of people who change your life for the better (enough that you’d create a patch of them on a quilt). “We want to be patchwork people for the kids that need us.

“We are trying to incorporate our community in all ways:

collecting donations from friends and family, supporting local restaurants, and providing a s si st a nc e to st udent s.”

Looking ahead, Campbell wants to do a 5K or golf tournament and raise money for sports camps for kids in need. “In the future as we continue to grow, we’ll be able to do more for these kids.

“We want to support these kids and let them know that somebody cares about them and we’re looking out for them,” Campbell said.

Instagram: @ SouthieKidsFoodDrive Website: https://www. theseven2foundation.org/ To donate: https://www. gofundme.com/f/southie-kidsfood-drive To buy tickets to the Nov. 9 event: https://www.tickettailor.com/ events/theseven2foundation

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Council President Flynn’s Statement on Removal of Tents

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e d n e s d a y morning, I visited Mass & Cass and Atkinson Street to discuss the City of Boston’s work on removal of tents and encampments from the area.

I spoke with dedicated employees from the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, Chief Sheila Dillon from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and outreach teams from St. Anthony Shrine.

A number of City of Boston Departments and our nonprofit partners continue to do critical work

in assisting the homeless and those with substance use disorders into shelters and drug treatment centers.

It is equally important that our city continues to show that we are serious in maintaining a zero tolerance policy moving forward when it comes to the public safety issues that occurred partially due to the tents and encampments in the area- including violence, drug trafficking, and the exploitation of women. Public safety must remain a top priority in the impacted area, and we must ensure that all of our residents and businesses in every neighborhood feel safe and that their quality of life is respected.

We need a coordinated response statewide and throughout New England to address the issues of homelessness and addiction.

But the tents and encampments are not an option due to public safety issues, and we need to continue to work together to help put those suffering from addiction on the road to recovery.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Congressman Lynch Praises President Zalensky “Yesterday afternoon, Congressman Stephen Lynch called an impromptu press conference in front of his South Boston home.

His main topic was Ukraine, which he recently visited, and their war to contain and eventually eliminate Russian aggression. He says it’s going well, even though regaining Ukrainian territory (including Crimea) is proceeding slowly. He praised the courage of President Zelensky and the citizens of Ukraine, as well as mentioning his own strong support for the aid we and the European Union (the EU) are providing to them. He closed by complimenting Boston and Mayor Wu on finally clearing out the Mass/Cass “camp-out” for good.”

PUBLIC NOTICE: OPEN DISCUSSION ON MCCA CYPHER STREET REMEDIATION PROJECT On Thursday, November 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will host a community discussion at CRISPR Therapeutics regarding an upcoming soil remediation project on Cypher Street.

MCCA officials will be presenting and available to answer questions.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Boston Police Department Celebrates Recruit Graduation Over 60 percent of graduates are people of color. Recruit class is the first to receive language access training during academy.

T

he Boston Police Department (BPD) celebrated the graduation of the most diverse class of recruits from the Police Academy. Class 63-23 spent 29 weeks training in physical, tactical, and classroom activities.

Additionally, for the first time, the recruits received language access training. The Boston Police Department and the Office of Language and Communications Access (LCA) partnered to embed robust language access training into the Boston Police

Academy so the new officers are able to serve all residents regardless of the language they speak. This training helps ensure the City of Boston’s workforce is trained to be culturally competent, bolsters trust with

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communit y, and eliminates barriers to access to resources and services for Boston residents.

The first half of the language access training provided an overview of the City’s language and communications policy, the City’s language standards, and the responsibility of all departments to ensure all residents have access to City services and resources.

The second half of the training outlined the specific steps officers will take to assist constituents in need of interpretation over the phone or through the City’s video remote interpretation, an insta nta neous interpretation service provided on a webcamenabled device for languages such as American Sign Language.

Language access training was also offered to Boston Police cadets.

“This recruit class truly represents the City that they will be swearing an oath to serve and protect,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. “Not just in race, ethnicity, and culture; but in lived experience and commitment to ser ving all communities with fairness and respect. Congratulations to the class of Class 63-23 for the tremendous hard work and sacrifice that it took to become Boston Police Officers.”

The graduating class totals 133 recruits. The class is the most diverse class yet, over 60 percent of graduates are people of color. Fifty nine of the recruits speak another language other

than English, representing 16 other languages. Additionally, the recruit class includes the first Somali officers and an officer who is hard of hearing. The new officers include 18 who served in the military, with 14 veterans who served in the National Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, or U.S. Marine Corps.

As part of their academy training, recruits volunteered at and attended several community events, working directly with the constituents they will serve.

They at tended communit y meetings, recreationa l programming with youth and older Bostonians, park openings, welcomed students to schools, and visited houses of worship.

The recruits’ engagement in community underscores BPD’s intentionality about training officers in community policing to build trust with residents and be culturally knowledgeable.

“Boston has over 105,000 residents who identif y a s speaking a Language other than English (LOTE) and needing language assistance. Our office’s citywide efforts to make systemic change are only possible through these intentional partnerships across departments that focus on integrating language and communications access at the forefront of each and every program,” said Jeniffer Vivar Wong, Director of Language and Communications Access.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Fr. John Visits the Morrises

by Rick Winterson

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onday evening, Jill and Robert Morris hosted a reception at their home on East Broadway. Some 25 guests attended. The purpose of the Morris’s get-together was to welcome Father John Toai back to South Boston. Fr. John traveled here from Vietnam as part of his American fundraising activities in support of the Mai Tam “House of Hope” in Saigon, and he has many friends here in South Boston as well.

Fr. John is a priest in the Order of Medical Missionaries.

He origina lly founded the Mai Tam House of Hope as a home and a medical treatment center for children, mothers, and widows who are HIV/ AIDS positive. To quote from t he i n format ion ava i lable online, Mai Tam “provides

shelter, medicine, medical care, education, and referrals for its residents and the many walk-ins it receives in need of support.”

The Mai Tam House of Hope was established in 2005. At first, it helped approximately 100 affected women and children.

Five years later, the Mai Tam residents moved into brand new home that had classrooms where children with HIV/AIDS could be educated. Currently, Mai Tam now supports 360 women and children; at times during past years, their case load rose to 560. It is still the only facility of its kind in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh Cit y.

Rob Morris became interested in Mai Tam because he had once served in Vietnam. Since then, he and his wife Jill have befriended Fr. John, and they have successfully established an ongoing Mai Tam funding program here in the U.S.

Lydia Polaski Announced as South Boston Liason

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ydia Polaski is a proud resident of South Boston. She earned her Master’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. Her professional background is in the nonprofit sector in Boston with a focus on communication strategy and community events. Polaski is the founder of Friends and Neighbors, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through events and opportunities that create new bonds and offer

resources to those in need.

“Lydia’s ties to South Boston and passion for its community makes her a great fit for the role of neighborhood liaison,” said Community Engagement Cabinet Chief Brianna Millor.

“Neighborhood Services is thrilled to welcome her to our team to represent South Boston to support residents, local businesses and civic organizations.”

Polaski served on the Andrew Square Civic Association leadership team, where she liaised with the MBTA to advance improvements at Andrew Station and increased confidence in public transportation within the South Boston community. She also served on the board of the South Boston MOMS Club and Paraclete Center.

“What an honor to serve a neighborhood that is dear to my heart,” said South Boston Liaison Lydia Polaski. “I look forward to focusing on neighborhood livability and can’t wait for all the opportunities to celebrate our great community together.”

Rob and Jill Morris welcome Fr. John Toai and guests to their Mai Tam reception.

In his remarks during the Morris’s reception, Fr. John emphasized that the many services available

at the Mai Tam House of Hope are given with “love, compassion, and empathy”. Well spoken.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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Having a Fun Time at this Year’s SBCA Halloween Dance!

O

n October 28, 2023, the students, families and friends of South Boston Catholic Academy had a great time at the SBCA Annual Halloween Dance. Students from the Toddlers to Grade 6 came with

their families and friends and had a fun-filled time dressing up in their Halloween costumes, dancing, signing, playing games and eating candy at this year’s Halloween Dance. A great time was had by all!

Thank you to the Home &

School Social Committee members, Mrs. Dani Braho, Mrs. Vanessa Cannella, Ms. Tammy Gates, Mrs. Taryn Powers, Mrs. Jaclyn Price, and Mrs. Tracyann Seder for organizing this event and to all our wonderful parent volunteers, parents and members

of the Home and School Association for making this year’s Halloween so much fun for all the children at SBCA. Thank you to Christine Rinaldi, the DJ, for providing the fantastic music at this dance. We hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Halloween!

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2023

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