To celebrate the success of the first 100 days of the Biden/Harris administration, the Ward 19 Democratic Committee (JP, Roslindale) is launching Spring Back Better, a campaign to help local community groups and businesses to fully re-open.
With the benefit of the Covid-19 Relief Bill and Covid-19 vaccinations widely disseminated, we’re able to start venturing out and opening back up. We know that our community (in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale) has gone through a lot. Some small businesses and community organizations have been able to function online or through take-out/delivery. Others had to close due to the absence of clients and revenues.
In January, on the recommendation of the Biden/Harris Inaugural Committee, Ward 19 solicited funds for the First Baptist Church J.P. food pantry and the Roslindale Congregational Church food pantry. The generous community response enabled us to provide fresh produce three times to 550 households.
Now Ward 19 is extending its support to local businesses and the local non-profit community. Many need our help to get back to business. We have highlighted a short list of groups below, and we know that many more need your support. Based on your ability and interests, we encourage you to donate to, and/or volunteer with, these groups or others to help the community transition out of pandemic-driven difficulties.
Thank you for helping our community Spring Back Better!
First Baptist Church JP Food Pantry:
The JP food pantry based out of the First Baptist Church delivers food to 315 households weekly, in addition to offering weekly community meals.
Need Donations? YES
Donate online to the Food Justice Program. Donations are tax-deductible.
Need Volunteers? YES
Help make food deliveries on Fridays.
Contact: Rev. Ashlee Wiest-Laird at 617-823-7181
Webpage: https://www.firstchurchjp.org/food-pantry
Roslindale Food Pantry:
The Roslindale food pantry based out of the Roslindale Congregational Church provides food to 100 households + 150 elders weekly.
Need Donations? YES
Non-perishable food dropoff on Saturdays 2-4pm.
Check to Roslindale Food Pantry, 25 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131 or Venmo (@Roslindale-FoodPantry). Donations are tax-deductible.
Need Volunteers? YES
Help unload food deliveries; must be available on weekdays and able to lift 50 lbs.
Contact: Pantry ManagerRosemary Braverman at roslindalefoodpantry@gmail.com
Webpage: http://roscon.org/food-pantry/
JP Centre/South Main Streets:
Assisting local businesses (new and existing) as they re-open, and a job board of jobs in local businesses
Need Donations? YES
Venmo (@JPCentreSouth), or Online, or send checks to JP Centre/South Main Streets,670 Center St, Suite 7, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Donations are tax-deductible.
Need Volunteers? YES
Volunteers needed to help with community events.
Contact: Director Ginger Brown at DirectorJPcsms@gmail.com
Webpage: https://jpcentresouth.com/
Roslindale Village Main Streets:
Helping small and local businesses get back on their feet, bringing new businesses to Roslindale Square and bringing back community events and gathering spaces post-pandemic.
Need Donations? YES
Send checks to 4236A Washington St., Roslindale, MA 02131 or Online. Donations are tax-deductible.
Need Volunteers? YES
Design Committee, Farmers Market Committee, Economic Development Committee, Marketing Committee, Roslintrail Committee, RVMS “Street Team” (one-time events/projects).
Contact: Program Manager Tess McColgan at manager@roslindale.net
Webpage: http://roslindale.net/
JP/Roxbury Mutual Aid:
JP/Roxbury Mutual Aid connects residents with the capacity to provide direct aid payments with local individuals who have specific needs. Also delivering nutritious and culturally appropriate groceries weekly to families in need since the start of the pandemic.
Need Donations? YES
Venmo (@JPRoxburyMutualAid), Givebutter or by Check (tax-deductible) to Two Circles, PO Box 390929, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Need Volunteers? YES
Delivery/Hotline: jproxhotline@gmail.com , Finance: finance.mutualaidjp@gmail.com , Neighbor to Neighbor: jproxn2nteam@gmail.com
Contact: Kristina King at kingkristina4@gmail.com
Webpage: https://tinyurl.com/jproxma
Casserly House:
Roslindale’s Casserly House provides learning experiences and caring support services to the multicultural and under-served people in their community including an after-school and adult learning programs. It is operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph. They need help starting up after a year-long closing.
Need Donations? YES
Send checks to Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, 637 Cambridge St., Brighton MA 02135 (write Casserly House on the memo line). Donations are tax-deductible.
Need Volunteers? YES
Need tutors and mentors for the after-school program, and tutors for the adult literacy program.
Contact: Sr. Nancy Braceland at 617 469 6457 or CasserlyHouse@gmail.com
Webpage: https://www.casserlyhouse.org/
The Eliot School:
The Eliot School has been inspiring lifelong learning in craft and creativity for all for over 300 years. They need help with reopening, specifically with updates to the air system in this historic building and support for programs, including the summer youth program.
Need Donations? YES
Donate online! Donations are tax deductible.
Need Volunteers? NO
Contact: Director of Development and CommunicationsTiti Ngwenya at tngwenya@eliotschool.org
Webpage: https://eliotschool.org/
Boston Ward 19 Democratic Committee 