Resilient Communities/Resilient Families Leverages Resources
What makes Resilient Communities/Resilient Families unique is that community organizing and planning are paired with the equity and investment that help make the projects possible.
Over the last 3 years, LISC investments in the Resilient Communities/Resilient Families neighborhoods have totaled over 3.3 million dollars in real estate investments, capacity building grants for local organizations, and in the most current year community safety grants.
So far, the Resilient Communities/Resilient Families neighborhoods have provided funds to early action projects, with larger grants for plans coming in the Fall of 2012 and in 2013.
Financial Opportunity Center at LIFT Boston, Roxbury
Funded at $90,000/year for two years
LIFT is a community-based nonprofit organization that operates three resource centers in the Greater Boston area to help low-income individuals and families obtain the resources and services needed to become economically self-sufficient. LIFT utilizes an innovative and cost-effective model that trains volunteer advocates – dedicated and talented college students – to work one-on-one with clients to secure employment, housing, and basic necessities; and to maximize income through public benefit supports and access other vital social services and resources within their community.
Integrating the Financial Opportunity Center into LIFT will institutionalize financial education/coaching services and deepen relationships with clients who have established a higher degree of stability and achieve economic security. LIFT has developed a strong partnership with Project Hope, a multi-service agency with a 20 year history of providing low-income women with children with access to education, jobs, housing, and emergency services. Within the FOC, they have created a direct enrollment pipeline for LIFT clients who are interested in pursuing careers in heath care. By deepening this and other local partnerships, LIFT is well prepared to serve the Roxbury community and Warren Street Corridor.
Services are open to everyone, to make an appointment contact LIFT Boston - (617) 427-1155
Early Action Grants
With Funding from Mattapan United
Franklin Park Tennis Association - Free Tennis Lessons
$1,500
The Franklin Park Tennis Association (FPTA) engaged 151 kids and adults of all skill levels in free tennis activities/games in Almont Park and Ryan Playground. The programs promoted the great work of FPTA of using tennis to promote exercise and participation in safe activities, particularly for youth.
Greater Nazarene Compassionate Center - Teen Cafe
$1,500
The Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center offered the Teen Café program for 7 weeks over the summer. Each Sunday some 35-60 youths aged 10-22 participated in creative and recreational games to win prizes, engaged in discussions with civic and community leaders about pertinent issues that impacted their lives, and also interacted with professionals about job issues and opportunities in the neighborhood.
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition - Bicycling Events
$1,500
The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition held a Bike-A-Thon that engaged 75 residents in three major activities: Biking the bike route around Mattapan, Bike Parade for small children, and bike-skills learning opportunities for teen and adult bike riders. Over 15 planning meetings and at the day of the event, Mattapan Food and Fitness built new and strengthened partnerships with the Boston Police Department/Mattapan Area B-3 office, Boston Bikers Union, Boston Bikes, and local youth organizations and churches.
With Funding from Millennium Ten (Codman Square/Four Corners in Dorchester)
Talbot Norfolk Triangle (TNT) Neighbors United - Family Fun Events
$3,000
Neighbors United engaged over 220 people in six Family Fun Events. Additionally, eight families participated in leadership development training. 75 community surveys were also completed as part of the community outreach.
Redefining Our Community (ROC) - Multimedia Projects by Youth
$1,600
Redefining Our Community (ROC) supported 5 youths in the development of individual multi-media projects about the community. 40 residents were also involved in the production.
Fuller Bailey Neighborhood Association (FBNA) - New Trash Cans
$1,200
The Fuller Bailey Neighborhood Association addressed the litter problem and lack of trash receptacles by placing “Taking Pride” trash cans throughout the community. Through community outreach they also collected over 20 community surveys.
Codman Square Gardening Group - Free Canning Trainings
$900
The Codman Square Gardening Group sponsored three food canning events at community gardens. 34 residents received the vegetable canning training, 15 of whom were non-gardeners. They also collected 30 community surveys.
Erie Ellington Neighborhood Association - Family Fun Events
$2,948.13
Family Fun Events
The Erie Ellington Neighborhood Association hosted six Family Fun Events over the summer that drew over 100 families. Four youths were trained and received stipends to coordinate the events and the creation of five Family Art Boards.
Funded by Mission 180
Madison Park Development Corporation - Civic Engagement Events by Youth
$7,500
Over 350 people attended civic engagement events, including the RoxVote District 7 Candidates’ forum and RoxVote at Large Council candidates’ forum. The funding also supported the Citywide Youth Assembly attended by 85 youths. Funding supported the affordability and access to Hiberian Hall for these and other events promoting civic engagement.
Project RIGHT Inc - Community Outreach by Youth
$7,500
With this grant, Project RIGHT, Inc. hired four youth Peer Educators to conduct outreach in the Grove Hall area of Roxbury. They focused on hard to reach residents and youth, particularly those who cannot attend meetings, engaging them in other ways such as phone calls, letters, emails, and in-person visits. The Peer Educators conducted door to door leafleting, sent mailings to neighborhood resident associations about upcoming meetings as well as public safety and prevention information materials.
Early action grants to the community are made each year. For more information about when and how the grants are awarded, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the respective Lead Organizer.