THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
The Pride of South Boston
JROTC at Excel High Building Leaders, Character By Ginger DeShaney
Pride. Honor. Respect. Leadership.
T
he cadets of South Boston JROTC exude these qualities. And when we see these young leaders at events and ceremonies, presenting color guards or providing escorts, we can’t help but feel proud of them and our neighborhood. “It’s helping the community a nd g iv i ng t he c om mu n it y something to be proud of,” C/ MAJ George Infante, a senior at Excel High School, said about the cadets’ involvement in events. “We are doing these things to inspire people,” said LTC (R) Anthony Hinson, who has been with the South Boston JROTC at Excel for seven years and leads the cadets with SFC (R) George Machado.
REAL ACCESS!
Cadets at South Boston JROTC at Excel High School pose with SFC (R) George Machado (left) and LTC (R) Anthony Hinson (right). The cadets recently participated in a f lag raising at UMass-Boston on Pearl Harbor Day and the opening ceremony of the Boston Army-Navy f lag football game last Saturday. For C/CPL Devonnie Dennis, a sophomore at Excel, the events
honor other soldiers. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here right now,” she said. “It’s a way to honor others.” C/2LT A iden Ste ad ma n, a junior, ha s been pa rt of dedic ating hero squa res a nd various parades. “It makes me
feel like I make a difference.” C/CPL Duy Tran, a junior at Excel, was part of the South Boston parade, where he had a chance to talk with veterans. “That gives me a sense of giving
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JROTC back to the community,” he said. “One of the things that I loved about this program was being able to help people and the community,” said C/2LT Andrea Orellana. “It feels great being part of something that means a lot and that has such a big representation in this country.” The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) members at Excel High represent the best of the best – not just the program but the students, too. The South Boston program was named an Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) in 2017 and during COV ID retained that prestigious status. To achieve HUD, the unit has to demonstrate exceptional performance in all areas of program operation. Student-wise, Hinson rattled off a few stats: For the last seven years, every valedictorian was a female JROTC cadet and National Honor Society member, and half of them were battalion commanders. Added Machado, JROTC has the highest GPA as a group in the school. Battalion Commander C/ LTC Thy Nguyen is a candidate for valedictorian this year and hopes to attend Yale. She came to the United States from Vietnam. She joined JROTC “because I found something new in here. “You learn more about leadership, teamwork. When you are in JROTC you learn more about communication skills and
South Boston JROTC cadets hung out with Pat Patriot after their color guard duties were over. you learn how to work together.” Being in JROTC elevates students who want to go into the military, but it’s not the focus of the program, said Infante, who will be going into the Army after graduating. “This is our mission: Motivate young people to be better citizens,” Hinson said. “Our mission is not to get people in the military or recruit for any armed forces. “In the past seven years, I’ve had hundreds of students go through the program and I can tell you on one hand how many went into the military. But I don’t have enough hands to tell you how many went to college,” he said. JROTC focuses on increasing conf idenc e a nd self-e steem, le a der s h ip, de c i sion-m a k i n g , problem-solving, and so much more. “It really brought out some of the personality strengths I didn’t know I had in me,” Steadman said.
“I can learn how to be a leader and how to lead and what it means to have the power because it’s very hard to learn how to lead other people, especially high schoolers,” said Tran. Infante has learned a lot about himself through this program. “Over the past four years, I’ve been learning to be self-confident, to be a leader, to be a better person than I was the year before.” C/PFC Yazmine Vega’s mom didn’t want her to join JROTC because she worried that her daughter would be drafted into the Army. Hinson convinced her that was not the case and that the program would make her daughter a better citizen and more responsible. Vega, a sophomore at Excel, has been a member for a couple of weeks now. The respect is what resonated with her about JROTC. “I like it a lot,” she said. “JROTC … teaches us as
high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, teamwork, service to the community, personal responsibility, and most importantly discipline, which prepares us for the future workforce and society as a whole,” said C/2LT Annastacia Fearon, a junior at Excel. “To me, JROTC is not just an organization or battalion, but it’s more of a family.” Sa id H i n s on, “ We ’r e t he big ge st fa m i ly here.” Added Orellana: “JROTC is more than just a class or an organization; it is a family that I know I can trust and that will always have my back no matter what.” JROTC “helps with their sel f- c on f idenc e, t hei r sel festeem,” Hinson said, “Yeah, we break chops, but it builds them up and makes them stronger ... so they are prepared for life.”
Follow the cadets on Instagram @southbostonjrotc
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
SB Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Go Digital in an Effort to Get Their Friends Vaccinated
S
outh Boston Community Health Center’s Youth A m b a s s a d or s are determined to get their friends protected from the Covid-19 virus. The teens, all fully vaccinated, spearheaded a video/ social media project to encourage other teens to get vaccinated after discovering that many of their peers and classmates were still not vaccinated against the virus. Michael Indresano, of Indresano Pro-ductions donated his studio time and talent to help the teens bring their vision to reality. The campaign went live today on SBCHC’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/HFxf R BrR IlE “We couldn’t be more proud of these young people” said Bill Halpin, CEO of South Boston Communit y Hea lt h Center “the Youth Ambassadors have always been an important voice among their peers on critical hea lth issues like substance abuse and anti-vaping efforts. We were really encouraged when they wanted to reach out to other teens about the vaccine”. The Youth A mbassadors brainstormed with Linda Doran, Youth Program Coordinator, to streamline their concept . Then they enlisted the participation of other vaccinated teens from the Edgerly Family South Boston Boys and Girls Club; the South Boston Neighborhood House and students from the Edward M. Kennedy Ac ademy for Health Careers where several of the Youth Ambassadors attend. Michael Indresano invited the teens to his South Boston studio where the production team brought their ideas to life during two days of shooting. It was an empowering experience for the teens. “They felt heard a nd respected “ Linda sa id, “ever yone on the team was welcoming and really valued what our kids had to say”.
For the past 21 months, Sout h Boston C om mu n it y He a lt h C e nt e r (SB C HC ) has been a force in Boston’s Covid-19 response. Because of early preparation and foresight, they were among the first centers in the state of Massachusetts to be awarded a direct federal Covid-19 supply and were the very first (and for some time the only) site offering the Covid-19 vaccine to the public in all of Suffolk County. The SBCHC has distributed over 30,000 vaccines and has tested over 17,0 0 0 people for the virus. Their positive impact on this public health crisis ha s been significa nt.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
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“Tis the Season” for Cookies
Yes, it is the Season for all Girl Scout cookies, from the original recipe for short bread cookies right on up to the “Adventurefuls” (Curious? Well, then try one! Or a box or two.). And you know how good all of the Girl Scout cookies are.
Msgr. Thomas J McDonnell and Frank Kelley Christmas Dinner Please call 617-586-5824 if you would like a meal delivered to your home. Meals will be delivered on December 24th between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (City of Boston Covid-19 protocols in place). We will not be able to gather at the hall to enjoy a meal together. Volunteers and delivery drivers greatly needed and should meet at St. Monica’s @ 9:30 a.m. on December 24th. Any questions email: manning.danielr@gmail.com
Checks can be made payable to: South Boston Seaport Collaborative (memo: Holiday Dinner)
Please mail or deliver checks to: Deja Brew 704 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127
The Tradition Continues
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Fitzgerald Post Lunch at Amrhein’s by Rick Winterson
I
n years past, the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post, No. 561, at 715 East Fourth Street has held a Fall Brunch at the Post on Fourth Street. For a long time, this brunch was a traditional part of the Post’s Veterans Day observances, which included assembling early on November 11 at the Post on Fourth Street and marching to St. Brigid Church for a Veterans’ Memorial Mass in the Lower Church. However, even though a Veterans’ Mass was said on November 11 this year, the pandemic prevented the Post from holding their customary Fall Brunch. Tom McCarthy, the current Post Commander, aided and abetted by Lew Kneeland, the Post Quartermaster, decided to do something about this. The post’s original Fall Brunch had always been put together by
Danny, Sr. Florence, Sr. Lois, Cindy, and Post Cmdr. Tom. members of the Post, their spouses and families, and donations from the likes of Dunkin’ Donuts. But with the Christmas Season well underway (and everyone very busy), it made sense to do something else – something different than the brunch. Well, after due consideration, Tom, Lew, and the members of VFW Post No. 561 decided to take themselves out to lunch. This happened last Saturday; the lunch (not a brunch) took place at Amrhein’s. Now Amrhein’s, having been
located at the corner of A and West Broadway since 1890, is suitably traditional all by itself. Furthermore, the Post’s lunch was held in Amrhein’s original dining room, which is fronted by that ornate Victorian façade. And Amrhein’s did itself proud. The main course was tasty and tender medallions of beef, accompanied by mashed potatoes and broccoli, along with an elegant tray of pasta Neapolitan. A sumptuous dessert followed, of course. All of this was competently and
courteously served by Vicki of Amrhein’s Twenty-five members of the Fitzgerald Post showed up for the lunch. Guests included Sr. Florence, Sr. Lois, and Barbara Signor, the Parade Grand Marshal in 2018. Lighthearted memories of past events, including the St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Parades, were key topics. And naturally there were questions about the planned, much-anticipated 2022 Parade, now that Omicron is all across our land. Even so, optimism reigned. It was a joyful crowd. The conversations were all upbeat. And as a Christmas reminder, please help make the Season joyful for the residents of the Chelsea Soldiers Home. The Fitzgerald Post ran a Veteran’s Day Drive in November for in-kind donations to the Home’s residents – hats, socks, scarves, toiletries, gift cards, and so on. This Drive continues; you can help make their Christmas better. Were you aware that the Soldiers Home is also a veterans’ hospital?
NEW YEAR. NEW PHASE. DECONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT 776 SUMMER
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Medora and Karen with Barbara Signor, 2018 Parade Grand Marshal.
A festive crowd enjoys the Post 561 December lunch.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
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Councilor Flynn Calls for Portion of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Funding for Pedestrian Safety Improvements
B
oston City Councilor Ed Flynn is advocating for a portion of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill funding for the city to be dedicated to address long-standing pedestrian safety needs with improved trafficcalming infrastructure, through the use of speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and rapid flash beacons on high traffic roads and corridors throughout Boston. There are currently 10 pedestrian fatalities in 2021, which unfortunately makes Boston on track to have the most pedestrian fatalities since 2017. With reports that the state is expected to receive over $9 billion in municipal aid from the infrastructure bill, and potentially billions more in available grant funding, Boston has a unique opportunity to also scale up our built environment and physically
change our high traffic roads and corridors to help slow down cars and keep our pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers safe. Councilor Flynn has long advocated that pedestrian safety is one of the most critical issues we face in Boston, as our infrastructure must catch up to the pace of development and population growth over recent decades to ensure the safety of neighbors, children, our seniors and persons with disabilities. Over the last several years, Councilor Flynn recommended multiple 12 Point Street Safety plans to the city, called for hearings on infrastructure and reducing the speed limit to 20 mph, and advocated for speeding cars to be declared a Public Health Emergency due to a number of serious and fatal crashes in District 2 and across the city. This significant investment
from the federal government will undoubtedly help Boston’s recovery and set the stage for a brighter future to address our infrastructure needs; fixing our roads and bridges, improving public transportation, addressing climate change, resiliency measures and sea level rise. But we would be remiss if we do not also focus on recovering as a safer and more accessible city for all moving forward, with traffic calming infrastructure that actually forces cars to slow down on commuter heavy roads across the City of Boston. There is a glaring need to invest in infrastructure such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks, rapid flash beacons with pedestrian islands, road diets, and curb extensions for shorter crosswalks.This presents a chance to scale up our Slow Streets program across the city, so that all neighborhoods can move forward
together in our shared goal of no serious or fatal crashes in Boston. “As we discuss how we should utilize federal funding to fix our roads, bridges and public transportation, I also believe we must focus on making Boston a safer and more accessible city for all with the help of infrastructure that forces speeding cars to slow down,” said Councilor Flynn. “To make the serious crashes in our city a thing of the past, we need to physically change our roads with speed humps, raised crosswalks, and rapid flash beacons with pedestrian islands. I will continue to work with my neighbors, colleagues, and the city to make our streets safer for all.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or Ed .Flynn@Boston.gov.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
The Condon Community Center at Year-End by Rick Winterson
A
s Christmas and the Holiday Season approach a nd the first half of the school year winds down, the activities at the Condon Community Center are actually picking up steam. This Community Center not only hosts many activities right now, it will also continue these activities between Christmas and the 2022 New Year. And the Condon Community Center has several challenging plans for the New Year, beginning immediately after 2022 gets underway. Wednesday was the day the Condon Community Center’s Senior Christmas Celebration took place a few blocks down Fifth Street in St. Peter Church Hall. The event was a festive lunch served at noon to more than 125 people by nearly 20 volunteers, from donated trays of salad, pasta, rice pilaf, chicken marsala, beef chunks, and all the trimmins’, followed by dessert. Christmas music contested with the
Fifteen Condon Lunch volunteers show the real Christmas spirit. joyful conversation in a room full of Seniors – there was no telling which one was louder (it didn’t really matter!). Mark McGonagle emceed the event; Rep. David Biele gave Christmas Greetings; BPD Station C-6 Community Service Officers dropped in. In addition to covering the Senior Christmas Celebration, South Boston Online interviewed the Condon Community Center staff earlier this week. Naturally, the staff’s attentions are focused upon Christmas at this time, but we mentioned that the Center is prepared for the week after that. For example, on Wednesday December 29th, the young members of the Condon
Community Center will attend the ”Wasabi Fenway Bowl College Football Game” at Fenway Park – between the SMU Mustangs and the Virginia Cavaliers. Dress warmly, people. In the New Year, the 2022 programs include Senior activities such as “Waterobics” in the Condon pool, making sure that young Center members have sufficient warm clothing, sponsoring computer lab training, and setting up a music recording studio in the Condon. The room and the recording equipment are available; a young musicologist named Ty Odom will take charge of setting it up. Volleyball (along with some coached lessons) will
be a new activity offered during the New Year. Overall, three key areas are going to be emphasized by the Condon Community Center’s staff in 2022: Seniors (to see that they remain active and “connected”), Academics (especially to make sure that all students “catch up” after the pandemic), and Girls Programs (to overcome any lingering “feelings of inferiority” young women may still have). These goals will require strong empowerment programs during 2022 from Joe Curran, the Administrative Coordinator of the Condon Community Center; Barbara Kelly, the Center’s Program Supervisor; and the Center’s ten hard-working Associates.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
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2021 Toys for Tots Update by Rick Winterson
W
e’ll start right off by mentioning a few critical areas where the 2021 Toys for Tots effort needs your help: The supply of toys for girls who are seven (7) or older is very low. These days, girls of that age group still like dolls of course, but they are also very interested in scientific gifts, as well as gifts requiring arts and crafts talent. Check the photo for Christmas presents that range from RO3O ROVER to earphones to art kits by Frida Kahlo (a prominent 20th Century female artist).
And for very young girls – ages from infancy up to three (3) years old – the Toys for Tots supply of gifts is also very low. If you can manage to come up with girls’ toys in that age range, please see that they are delivered to the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center (the BCEC) on Summer Street, where Toys for Tots has their 2021 operations center on the street-level floor. Finally, Toys for Tots can always use more volunteers. If you would like to make really good use of some of your holiday time, please consider volunteering. You and your fellow volunteers will receive, sort,
repackage, and distribute thousands and thousands of donated toys to thousands and thousands of kids, who otherwise will get no Christmas gifts this year. Go to the Toys for Tots website – Toys for Tots, Boston 2021 – and look information on “Volunteers”. Every year, there’s plenty of good Holiday Season news generated by Toys for Tots. It’s truly a fabulous organization. Toys for Tots was founded by the Marines back in 1947, which means that next year in 2022 it will celebrate its 75th birthday, after having given 550 million toys to 250 million children in America. The local effort in
Boston is led by Marine Staff Sergeant Howard Brown, USMC. This year, SSgt. Brown estimates that he and his volunteers will distribute over 100,000 toys to more than 50,000 children living in Greater Boston and Vicinity. In addition, SSgt. Brown expresses his gratitude to the BCEC for their generous offer to use the Convention Center in 2021, after the Toys for Tots lease expired at the Design Center. Not only has this worked out very well for the Sergeant and his volunteers in 2021, he hopes that Toys for Tots can arrange to return there next year during the Holiday Season.
Senator Collins Chairs Hearing of the Joint Committee on Community Development & Small Business Recently, State Senator Nick Collins chaired a hearing of the Committee on Community Development & Small Business. The Committee is tasked with all matters concerning small business operations, local economies, neighborhood and economic development, and community-based job creation. This hearing featured testimony on multiple pieces of legislation to benefit economic development. “Thank you to all that testified, I look forward to continuing the important work of this committee,” said Senator Collins. “I am honored to be in this important leadership role at such a critical time. As we continue to build back from the pandemic, our communities need our support through economic development.” Written testimony can be submitted via email to Julia.Canty@mahouse.gov or Leon.David@masenate.gov. The pieces of legislation featured in the hearing will now be reviewed by Committee on Community Development & Small Business.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
South Boston Catholic Academy News
On December 8, 2021 we celebrated the school Mass. It was the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception at which the 5th Graders did a wonderful job participating in as greeters, reading the Liturgy of the Word and the Prayers of the Faithful. We also had a chance to congratulate our new Altar Servers. Our Pastor, Father Robert Casey, was the celebrant at this Mass. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast day and Holy Day of Obligation. At this Mass we celebrate Mary’s conception without sin. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
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Gaudete Sunday 2021 in South Boston by Rick Winterson
C
hristmas Season is a joyful Season. One way or another, it occasionally seems as if the whole world is taking part. Many nonChristian religions and places of worship also celebrate their beliefs and traditions around this time, possibly because the New Year is near. Certainly, the beginning of longer days and shorter nights next Tuesday and Wednesday reminds us of human hopes during 2022. In the Catholic religion, the four weeks (and Sundays) of Advent are a time of preparation for Christmas Day. Last Sunday, December 12, was the third Sunday of Advent, commonly called Gaudete Sunday. This word “Gaudete” means “Rejoice” in Latin, and it echoes the first words of the Latin Mass – “Gaudete in Domino semper …” meaning “Rejoice in the Lord always …” – a command from both the Psalms and St. Paul’s Epistles. The Gaudete observance goes back well into Medieval times. This year,
Gaudete Sunday occurred exactly halfway through Advent, which began two Sundays before Gaudete and will end two weeks afterward, with Christmas on Saturday, December 25. In a literal, more modern sense, the Gaudete observance is intended to signal that “we are halfway there” to Christ’s birth on Christmas, so let’s get ready – willingly and joyfully. The four candles on the decorative Advent wreaths in both Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid have colors with specific meanings. Three of them are purple or violet, which signifies a time of peace, waiting, penitence, and expectations. One of those four candles is rose-colored. It is a symbol that states, “He’ll arrive soon”, and is invariably lit third, on the Third Sunday of Advent. Priests saying Mass during Advent frequently mark the Masses on the third Sunday by wearing a chasuble (or outer vestment) that is rose-colored, a striking change from the Church’s usual vestment colors. Gaudete Masses were offered in both Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Churches last Sunday; the readings
strongly reflected the Gaudete observance. The reading from the Prophet Zephaniah began with the words “Shout for Joy.” The sung Responsorial Psalm echoed this with “Cry out with Joy and Gladness.” St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians quoted a Psalm, saying “Rejoice”. The Gospel reading from Luke predicted Christ’s entering into His public life; Luke wrote about John the Baptist’s advice on how to prepare for this event. Father Christopher Boyle said Mass at 9 in Gate of Heaven last Sunday; Father Robert Casey said
the 10:30 Gaudete Mass in St. Brigid Church. In their sermons, both priests stressed the real meaning of “Joy”, when compared to happiness: basically, true Joy comes from inside of each of us. The priests exhorted their congregations to “Rejoice” during this Season, no matter what is going on in the world. And we’ll remind you that a Sunday similar to Gaudete Sunday will take place next year during Lent. It’s called “Laetare Sunday”; it will occur on March 27, 2022. And “Laetare” also means “Rejoice”.
2021 Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve Friday, December 24th 2:00PM at St. Brigid Church 2:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church with Children’s Pageant 4:00PM at St. Brigid Church 4:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church 5:00PM at St. Augustine Chapel (Limited Seating) 9:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church
Fr. Robert Casey, Pastor of Gate of Heaven/St. Brigid, on Gaudete Sunday.
Christmas Day Saturday, December 25th 8:00AM at St. Brigid Church 9:00AM at Gate of Heaven Church 10:30AM at St. Brigid Church No evening Mass on Christmas Day
Feast of the Holy Family Sunday, December 26, 2021 8:00AM at St. Brigid Church 9:00AM at Gate of Heaven Church 10:30AM at St. Brigid Church 12:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church
Fr. Christopher Boyle gives a sermon about Gaudete Sunday.
No 6PM Mass on Sunday, December 26th or Sunday, January 2nd
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Massport to Offer Mixed-Income Development Opportunity in South Boston Waterfront Would be first of its kind in district he Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is looking to further diversify its portfolio in the South Boston Waterfront by offering an opportunity to develop one of its parcels for a project with a mix of unit affordability levels. Such a project would be the first of its kind in this district. Massport is issuing a RFQ seeking developers interested in the parcel. The Authority anticipates issuing a RFP in the spring of 2022 and selecting a developer in the fall of 2022.
T
“We heard the call from both Governor Baker and Mayor Wu for the need to create more affordable housing, and we are doing our part to address this significant issue,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “Our intention
is for this project to help address the housing availability and affordability as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in the South Boston Waterfront.” Parcel D-4 is a narrow site of approximately 27,000 SF fronting on D Street and adjacent to the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center (SBWTC). The parcel sits above the I-90 tunnel, and was planned and engineered by Massport and MassDOT to support future air-rights development when the tunnel was built as part of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project.
“This is a great opportunity to use a public asset to provide affordable housing in this growing neighborhood,” said State Senator Nick Collins, who represents the South Boston Waterfront. “Too many families are priced out of City of Boston. I fully support Massport’s efforts to create
BCYF Condon Community Center
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COATS + HOODIES + SOCKS + GLOVES + HATS PLEASE DROP OFF ITEMS TO: Barbara Kelly/Condon Comm Center Staff BCYF CONDON COMMUNITY CENTER, 200 D STREET, SOUTH BOSTON, MA (617)635-5100
The Mixed-Income residential property on Parcel D-4, a narrow site fronting D Street abutting the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center parking garage. affordable housing on this site.” “I applaud Massport’s efforts and look forward to seeing this important project come to fruition” said State Representative David Biele of South Boston “We have heard time and again about what is needed in the South Boston Waterfront and affordable housing has always been on that list.” As the design for the SBWTC was adjusted, this remaining area was identified as an opportunity for development. Staff engaged area public-sector and privatesector leaders in developing mixedincome projects to identify and explore the parcel’s attributes and potential to support such a project on Parcel D-4. Such as:
A narrow footprint well-suited to residential floorplates; Multiple nearby MBTA Silver Line stations; An existing, connected parking supply in the SBWTC; and A growing and diverse mix of nearby employment (and career-training) opportunities. There is an urgent need for more affordable housing in Boston. In the city overall, approximately 19 percent of housing units are incomerestricted, whereas only eight percent in the South Boston Waterfront
are, one of the lowest among all Boston neighborhoods. Residential (rental and ownership) options are expanding in this district; however, no affordable housing projects have been developed. These types of projects can take years to finalize due to the multiple, complex rounds of funding required to finance them. Massport is exploring options to streamline and accelerate the process. Pursuing a mixed-income residential project will advance Massport’s economic development mission. Developing this infill parcel will also complete an important missing piece of urban architecture along D Street. To date, Massport has created 1,775 units of housing, including over 126 on-site affordable units while providing approximately $31 million for affordable housing (1,200 affordable units) through the Inclusionary Development Policy and Neighborhood Housing Trust. As it has with recent commercial development projects in the South Boston Waterfront, in offering Parcel D-4, Massport will again define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as one of four equally-weighted selection criteria, along with the Ability to Execute, Level of Affordability, and Design and Public Realm. Massport will place special emphasis on the breadth of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all components of the project team, including the role of women and people of color in leadership positions.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
11
City of Boston Announces Comprehensive Plan to End Homeless on Mass/Cass Boston sets date of January 12 to connect remaining residents with services, prevent further encampments
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ayor Michelle Wu and senior advisors announced an updated timeline and key steps to transform the area around Mass. Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard with a citywide plan to connect residents experiencing homelessness and substance use with needed housing and services. Following a December survey of all individuals living in tents in the area to identify housing and medical needs, the city set a deadline of January 12th to connect those unsheltered individuals with appropriate services and will ensure the area remains clear of encampments following that date. The City’s emergency response goals are to help individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and substance use disorders transition from living in unsafe encampments to living indoors in a safe and supportive environment while receiving medical care; and to promote safety in the area surrounding Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Dozens of low-threshold supportive housing placements are currently available or slated to come online within weeks, including at:
• The EnVision Hotel, a 41-bed low-threshold, congregate transitional housing program operated by Victory Programs serving as an intermediate step between homelessness and permanent housing; • Shattuck Hospital Campus will host two temporary housing programs and one treatment program. The Cottage Community will provide temporary, low-threshold transitional housing and wrap-around services for up to 30 people in collaboration with the MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services and operated by Commonwealth Care Alliance and Eliot Human Services. Also at the Shattuck, Bay Cove Human
Services will open 17 new beds for women to provide acute substance use treatment and connections to the next level of care. Pine Street Inn will open low-threshold shelter beds for up to 30 men with housing case management and medical care. • Roundhouse Hotel, a temporary site administered by Boston Medical Center that can house up to 60 individuals. They will have 24/7 staff and case management, with stabilization services to support recovery and transition into permanent housing. The Roundhouse will have intensive medical offerings to help individuals address mental health and substance use needs, as well as connect to longterm and evidence-based treatment. In addition to these sites, the City will aim to lower barriers to beds at existing city-owned shelters and explore additional low-threshold options across the city. Mayor Wu has previously announced that her administration would aim to open at least 200 low-threshold beds across the city. These efforts, led by Senior Advisor Dr. Monica Bharel, Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Housing Chief Sheila Dillon are based on a public health, harm reduction and equity-focused approach. The City’s goals are to connect residents with supportive housing and remove encampments from the neighborhood. Any tents that remain after January 12th will be responded to with the City’s existing encampment protocol, carried out by the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Police Department, Inspectional Services Department, and Department of Public Works, including notice and storage of belongings. The City will maintain an ongoing presence, including outreach and street cleaning so that further encampments do not develop. “With these actions, our goal is to bring residents out of the cold and into supportive housing, to change the status quo in this area and citywide,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Our team is taking every possible action to alleviate
the humanitarian crisis at Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard and keep this area clear of encampments moving forward. I thank the crossdepartmental team of public health, housing, public safety, and public works professionals who have rallied to put this plan into action.” “We are working to transform the way we care for individuals experiencing homelessnes with substance use disorder and mental health issues through a public health and equity lens,” said Special Advisor Dr. Monica Bharel. “This transformation will minimize the barriers to accessing housing and treatment. To that end, we have launched an emergent effort to bring online low threshold and transitional housing options where individuals will have access to appropriate treatment and a path to recovery and healing.” “The Boston Police Department is fully committed to partnering with our city’s public health and housing agencies to assist the individuals living in the Mass and Cass area with their transition to supportive housing and to keeping this area clear of encampments moving forward,” said Acting Commissioner Gregory Long. “I thank the officers that work in the Mass and Cass area for their ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals suffering from substance use disorder and mental health challenges have access to the safe housing and services they need.” “The situation at Mass and Cass is a public health and humanitarian crisis that encompasses chronic homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders. That’s why we’re taking a public health-oriented approach to respond to this crisis. We are working every day to address the barriers faced by each person living in these encampments and to connect them with the medical care, substance use treatment and housing that they need,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu. “The Public Works Department continues to utilize every resource at our disposal to keep the streets and sidewalks around Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard clean
and sanitary,” stated Public Works Superintendent of Streets, Mike Brohel. “As the City of Boston takes a more comprehensive approach to transform the area, we look forward to working in partnership with our fellow city agencies, community groups and business owners to deliver essential city services that assist our most vulnerable populations.” “The City, working with many area non-profit organizations, will continue to work with individuals living on the street to secure them safe and supportive low-threshold shelter and housing,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “These placements will allow individuals to receive and accept the services they need to stabilize their lives and plan for the future. The City will work on strengthening the connections and coordination between treatment and housing as it continues to address this issue.” Every day, the City works to connect people in the Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard area to housing, treatment, and other supports across the city and region. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) Recovery Services offers services that encompass the continuum of care including education, overdose prevention and naloxone distribution, street outreach, day-time low-threshold spaces, drop-in access to care services for treatment, transitional and long-term residential programming, outpatient services, youth substance use prevention and a peer recovery center. The Recovery Services Street Outreach team serves an average of 300 people daily through the Engagement Center and street outreach routes in the area of Mass Ave and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Every day, they place an average of 10 people in residential treatment programs across the state and respond to around 5 overdoses. BPHC Homeless Services also oversees a variety of programs that address complex needs associated with homelessness, such as emergency shelter, health and behavioral health services, job readiness and training, substance use treatment, recovery support, and housing services.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021
Washington Village at Sunrise by Rick Winterson
Y
es, sunrise! At Washington Village, yet. Construction there has really begun in earnest, and the working hours for construction jobs in the City of Boston run from 7 a.m. until around 3:30 p.m. Sunrise this morning was 7:05, so you see what we mean: Sunrise opens the work-day for all of South Boston’s construction projects, at least during the winter months of December and Januar y. Work on Washington Village had been slated to begin as far back as early 2020, but obviously the pandemic stopped those plans for a while. It appeared to us that ground had been broken in 2021, but that seemed to stop suddenly. We have heard (unconfirmed!) that Washington Village had been
further delayed in order to get permission for more residences and fewer commercial spaces. That makes some sense in this climate of uncertain return to the office and to other places of work. Now, the site is active, and work has begun on what is called “Washington Village Phase 1”. Phase 1 will extend over approximately 25% or one quarter of the ground space – it is sited on the southeast corner of the entire ground space, in the angle formed by Dorchester Street and Old Colony Avenue where they intersect. Its address is 225 Old Colony Avenue. T he n a me s on t he Washington Village signage include Samuels & Associates, a developer located near Kenmore Square in Boston, and Dimeo, a Providence construction firm with an office in South Boston’s Black Falcon Pier building.
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13
Nature’s Christmas Lights
Perhaps it’s a sign of the Christmas Season, but some of the lights in the overhead sky rival anything we have on planet Earth, even though they are far more distant. The Moon is 240,000 miles from Earth; the closest the planet Venus gets to us is 26 million (26,000,000) miles away. Venus is a planet about our size and currently shines brightly in the southwestern sky soon after dark. And unlike stars, which are much more remote from us – many billions of miles – Venus doesn’t twinkle. It’s a small but very bright dot of steady light when the night skies are clear.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve 4 PM Lithuanian at St. Peter’s 4:30 PM English and Spanish at St. Monica’s
Christmas Day St. Monica’s 10:30 AM English & 12:30 PM Spanish St. Peter’s 9 AM English & 10:30 AM Lithuanian
Sunday Schedule Sunday December 26th - Regular Sunday Schedule
Seaport Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage
Christmas Eve 4 PM, 7 PM & 11 PM all in English
Christmas Day 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM all in English
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