Public Benefits

Elderly Commission

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Elderly Affairs
1 City Hall Square, Room 271
Boston, MA 02201

Phone: 

617-635-4366

Fax: 

617-635-3213

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mission: 

The mission of the Commission on Affairs of the Elderly is to enhance the quality of life for Boston's senior citizens through planning, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of services to the elderly in an efficient and effective manner.

Key Programs Offered: 

Senior Shuttle: 617-635-3000
Nutrition Services
Caregiver Support Services
Boston Seniority: 617-635-2360 (print publication)

Created: 
12/02/2010

Reflect & Strengthen

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

614 Columbia Rd. #R,
Dorchester, MA 02125

Phone: 

(617) 442-2355

Mission: 

Reflect and Strengthen (R&S) is a grassroots collective of young working class women from the urban neighborhoods of Boston who take a holistic approach to organizing to create personal and social transformation. Our programming focuses are political education, healing form trauma, creative expression, community building and campaign work to end racial disparities in the juvenile justice system.

Locations

Freedom House
14 Crawford St
Dorchester, MA 02121
United States
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

For more information regarding Reflect and Strengthen please download the One Sheet. You may also contact R&S for more info at: rands@reflectandstrengthen.org or 617-442-2355.

Checks can be mailed to:
614 Columbia Rd. #R
Dorchester, MA 02125

Key Programs Offered: 

Juvenile Justice Organizing: Our Sisters Behind the Wall meets the urgent needs of young women involved with the juvenile justice system through healing, workshops, and sisterhood building. The Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Task Force on

Racial Disparities aka Da FORCE is community people demanding fairness from the juvenile justice system. We are organizing against the system’s racism which causes too many youth of color to be locked up.

Girl's Rap: is our peer led support groups, guided by licensed social workers, healing circles and beef resolution mediations, where we explore what sisterhood means and how we can unlearn the ways in which sexism, racism, homophobia and classism have taught us to think, act and feel toward one another.

Street Theater: members draw on our personal experiences and political awareness to create, direct and perform over 300 productions in the last five years. We educate, inspire and celebrate the power of culture through dance, theater, song, step, poetry, visual art, drumming, photography, videography, hip-hop and other means of creative expression. We perform at protests, theaters, rallies, jails, schools, cultural centers, youth groups, subways, theaters and hip-hop shows.

What's The 411?: Our political education program addresses the ways that racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism manifest in our communities. We explore the root causes of our struggles and make the connections between our personal experiences and the political context. By focusing on internal transformation, we are empowered to transform the context that shapes our lives.

Girl’s Night Out: Evenings spent together to deepen our bonds and enjoy our community. At R&S we believe if we don’t have anything to celebrate we don’t have anything to fight for, so we choose to honor celebration.

Sisters Rising: Our internal leadership development program. Members can step up and lead committees, plan events, and take on internships. Sisters Rising is also responsible for implementing organizational decisions made by the membership.

Created: 
12/13/2010

Fields Corner Community Development Corporation

Phone: 

(617) 282-4290

Mission: 

The Fields Corner Community Development Corporation is dedicated to facilitating the availability of housing and promoting economic development in order to enhance the environment for a healthy residential life in the Dorchester area.

Location

Fields Corner Community Development Corporation
1 Arcadia St
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

Fields Corner Main Street

VietAID

Greater Four Corners Action Coalition

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

    

Phone: 

(617) 436-0289

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

9:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Mission: 

Greater Four Corners Action Coalition works to promote neighborhood stabilization in the Four Corners Community of Dorchester, Massachusetts. This is accomplished by adressing the issues of crime and safety, through organizing residents, providing positive opportunities for youth, promoting economic development and collaborating with others. Our priority roles are: Organizer, Service Provider, and Collaborator/Supporter of other efforts.GFCAC is in the forefront of the change in local community organizing. Organizations are collaborating to effect regional planning and create standing policies so as not to have to put out the same fires over and over again. Our current work reflects this new direction. We also aim to address issues of transportation, environmental and economic justice. GFCAC spearheaded efforts to bring improved transportation services to the Four Corners community, advocating for new stops on the Fairmount line.

Location

367 Washington Street
Dorchester, MA
United States
Key Partners: 

ACE, Codman Square NDC, Bowdoin/Geneva Health Center, On The Move: Greater Boston Transportation Justice Coalition

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call 617-436-0289 to join for a nominal fee. One can join anytime and get involved or one can attend the annual meeting. Board elections will be held and membership is open to all. This meeting is held annually on the second Thursday in October.

Key Programs Offered: 

   

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
01/10/2012

Dimock Health Center

Phone: 

(617) 442-8800 (x1324 for "General Information")

Email: 

contactdimock@dimock.org

Website: 
Mission: 

At Dimock, we believe every life is precious. We commit to enhance the quality of life of each individual we serve, of the people we employ, and the communities in which we live by providing accessible, comprehensive, innovative, culturally competent health and human services

Location

Dimock Health Center
55 Dimock St
Roxbury, MA 02119
United States
Key Programs Offered: 

Adult Basic Education and GED Services - ext 1219 For more than 30 years, Dimock has operated education and training programs to improve the quality of life of its students and their families. All programs are free to qualified applicants.GED programs are designed to prepare students for all areas of the GED exam. Adult Basic Education programs are planned to help students improve basic reading, writing and math skills. Boston Pediatric and Family AIDS Project (BPFAP) - ext 1331 Case Management Services - ext 1324 Case Management Services help those living with HIV/AIDS take better care of their health and organize their lives for the benefit of all those around them. Case manager make referrals about estate planning, help with health care proxies, etc. Community Care Center - ext 1324 Dimock Community Care Center’s HIV Services emerged in 1991 amidst a clear need in the community for AIDS-related services and was designed to reach a cross-section of people of color at varying risks for HIV/AIDS. Today, prevention and education staff, Case Managers, a Primary Medical Staff, as well as Dimock Substance Abuse and Mental Health departments work together to address the issues of those in our community who are at risk as well as those who are living with the virus that causes AIDS. Early Head Start - ext 1461 Early Head Start provide comprehensive support for families and their children in the areas of education, health, nutrition and mental health. Early Head Start is for families with pregnant mothers and for parents with children ages 0-3.The program encourage parents to envision their role as their child’s primary teacher. Parents are supported in such areas as health and nutrition, pre-natal education, GED/literacy and employment/training. Early Intervention Program - ext 1375 The Dimock Early Intervention Program provides a range of therapeutic service and support to children, from birth to age three, and their families. The Early Intervention Program is certified through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. A goal of the program is to help a family support and sustain their child’s maximum developmental growth in the context of the family’s everyday life. All services are voluntary. GirlsWorld - ext 1437 GirlsWorld is a collaboration of Dimock Community Health Center and the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy. Two twelve-week sessions include four major components: Expressive Arts Groups, Academic Support, Mentoring, Community Service and a Physical Activity (ex. Golf, Basketball, Aerobics and Swimming). GirlsWorld grew out of services designed specifically for girls. Girlsworld motivates young women to develop their potential by remaining true to their dreams. Young women are encouraged to develop self-confidence and coping skills needed to resist negative peer pressure. Girl’s World provides a variety of creative outlets such as theater arts, photography and creative writing. Head Start - 617-822-4020, ext 19 Head Start provide comprehensive support for families and their children in the areas of education, health, nutrition and mental health. Head Start is designed for families with children ages 3-5. The program encourage parents to envision their role as their child’s primary teacher. Parents are supported in such areas as health and nutrition, pre-natal education, GED/literacy and employment/training. At Dimock, we believe every life is precious. We commit to enhance the quality of life of each individual we serve, of the people we employ, and the communities in which we live by providing accessible, comprehensive, innovative, culturally competent health and human services. HIV Counseling and Testing - ext 1324 HIV Counseling and Testing is available on an anonymous and confidential basis. All services are available in English and Spanish, both by walk-in or appointment. The Mary Eliza Mahoney Emergency Family House Shelter - ext 1151 The program is designed for families having difficulties in finding and securing safe affordable housing. While locating and securing safe, permanent housing for guests is the main focus, Mary Eliza Mahoney staff work to assist all families in navigating service-based programs both on and off campus. This new housing program provides food, shelter, health care, youth services and referral services for education, training and housing through pro-active case management. The Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) - ext 1326 The Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) provides health education and referrals to the Substance Abuse population, African American and Latino HIV positive men involved in the criminal justice system. Preschool - ext 1466 A center-based preschool educational program, Dimock’s Preschool is licensed to serve 95 at-risk 3 and 4 year old children, the program has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, since 1996. The Preschool provides children with opportunities for learning and exploration as the foundation for the basic skills in language, reading, and problem-solving. Further it provides a rewarding and stimulating environment that is not only safe but challenging for youngsters and helps parents develop more effective strategies for dealing with children at home. Peer Leadership Program Dimock knows that youths have special needs and that sometimes it’s much easier to talk to another teen. Dimock’s Peer Leaders are an integral part of the planning, development, and delivery of services to youths. Using peer-to-peer discussions, interactive video, role-plays, and workshops they encourage discussion and awareness on a range of issues. SmartKids After School Program - ext 1463 The mission of the Smartkids After School Program is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and their families. Our directors and staff are committed to fostering social, emotional and academic development. Working unified with families, city resources and communities and educators for the prosperity of our students and their futures. Smartkids provide a quality play based educational program to meet the academic needs of children. The staff recognizes each child as a unique individual with special needs and talents. We maintain a safe comfortable environment, which encourages respect for one’s self and others. The program is full year and offers a variety of activities, which includes, but not limited to Academic Enrichment, Culture and Arts, Physical activities, a computer Lab and a Library. We accept vouchers. Tae Kwon Do The Tae Kwon Do Program teaches youngsters (4-teenagers) how martial arts including sparring, weaponry and forms can be important for good physical health and discipline. This program promotes self-esteem, responsibility, and learning, in all of which empower youths to make healthy lifestyle choices. Youth Entrepreneurship Program This program helps youth build basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, and encourages them to think creatively, make decisions, solve problems, and always be open to learning. Using entrepreneurship as a vehicle, the program captures and brings to life, often for the first time, the imaginations and abilities of low-income young people.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
11/22/2010

Family Nurturing Center

Phone: 

(617) 474-1143

Fax: 

(617) 474-1261

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Mission: 

The FNC works with others to build nurturing communities where children are cherished, families are supported, and healthy human development is promoted by all.

Nurturing Programs bring parents and children together to learn, have fun, and build supportive relationships with other community families. These programs strengthen family relationships, improve parenting skills, and build a sense of community that makes it easier for families to withstand the stress of raising children. We work with housing communities, health centers, schools, community based organizations, child care programs, senior programs, volunteer groups, faith-based organizations, private and public institutions and others to achieve our mission.

Location

Family Nurturing Center
200 Bowdoin St
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Contact the Family Nurturing Center, or check the get involved page.

Key Programs Offered: 

Nurturing Programs: validated, internationally recognized curricula that promote nurturing relationships among all family members while building community connections to support positive parenting. Offered in various forms for parents and children, fathers, teen parents, foster families, and the Cape Verdean community.

Training Programs: Trainings and workshops vary in length and are customized for each particular audience. FNC provides training in English, Spanish, and Cape Verdean Creole and will train at your site, ours, or another convenient location. FNC provides customized training programs and consultation in the following areas: Nurturing Program Development Trainings (including cultural adaptations) Family and Parenting Support (including fathers) Team Building Community and Program Development Early Childhood Development (including Infant Massage) Parent Leadership

Circles of Caring: FNC convenes groups of parents, child care providers, health care workers, and others to develop a shared vision for supporting families in their neighborhood. Then we work together to make that vision a reality.

Welcome Baby celebrates the birth of a baby, providing the family of the newborn with a beautiful basket full of gifts as well as valuable parenting information, safety items for the home, books to promote early literacy, and a community resource directory to link them to a variety of community supports. The program supports new parents at a critical time in their family's development, increasing their knowledge about what to expect and where to go for help, and links them to needed neighborhood resources.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Family Resource Center, Dorchester CARES Family Resource Center, Family Nurturing Center

Created: 
03/02/2011

WIC Program, Dorchester South

Phone: 

617-825-0805 (Fields Corner); 617-825-3822 (Codman Square); 617-265-4380 (Neponset);

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Codman Square Health Center

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday
9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Codman Square Health Center

450 Washington Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

Phone: (617) 825-3822

Fax: (617) 436-4093

Dorchester House-Fields Corner

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday
9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Dorchester House Multi–Service Center

1353 Dorchester Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02122

Phone: (617) 825-0805

Fax: (617) 825-1109

Neponset Health Center

Wednesday

Thursday

Saturday
8:30 AM — 7:00 PM

8:30 AM — 12:30 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Neponset Health Center

398 Neponset Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02122

Phone: (617) 265-4380

Fax: (617)825-1109
Mission: 

The WIC Program improves the health status of families by providing nutrition and health education, nutritious foods and referrals to other health and human services. WIC achieves this by collaborating with community, healthcare,retail food stores, state and federal patners.

You can download a WIC program brochure here.

Location

Dorchester House Multi-Service Center
1353 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

Massachustts WIC Program

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call for an appointment and apply.

Key Programs Offered: 

WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under age 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:

  • Personalized nutrition consultations
  • Checks to buy free, healthy food
  • Tips for eating well to improve health
  • Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, child care, housing and fuel assistance, and other services that can benefit the whole family 

But that’s not all! WIC also offers breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, as well as immunization screening and referrals. wiC also provides parents with opportunities to talk with other parents about nutrition and other health topics that are important to their families.

Breastfeeding Warmline: Please call us at (617) 533-2243 with your breastfeeding questions or concerns. A breastfeeding peer counselor will contact you within 24 hours.

Free Drop-In Mom's Group: The Mom group offers information and education about parenting and nutrition, breastfeeding support and the chance to connect with other moms. Every Friday 11:00 AM-12:30 PM at the WIC room, the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA. For more information please call the WIC office at (617) 825-0805.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
05/06/2011

Fields Corner Civic Association

Phone: 

(617) 436-1287

Email: 

debbie_sousa@comcast.net

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

The group meets the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Kit Clark Senior Services at 1500 Dorchester Avenue (changed from St. Ambrose church). We hold a combined November-December meeting the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In June our meeting and Annual Awards night is on the third Tuesday, before we break for the summer.

Mission: 

To improve the livability of Field's Corner by advocating for quality government service. And to inform residents of programs and initiatives, so that they may use them to improve their lives, their homes and their neighborhhood.

Location

Kit Clark Senior Services
1500 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

Kit Clark Senior Center, Dorchester Youth Academy, Field's Corner Main Street, Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Viet-Aid, Close to Home, Area C-11 and the All Dorchester Sports Leaque.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Come to a meeting! Member dues: Individual $10.00 - Must be 18 years old Family $15.00 - Must be 18 years old Elderly $7.00 - Must be over 60 years old Non-voting Members $25.00

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
12/03/2010

Bowdoin Street Health Center

Phone: 

(617) 754-0100

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday-Thursday: 9am-7pm
Friday: 9:30am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm

Mission: 

The Health Center is a member of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston., which is world-renowned for excellence in patient care, research, teaching and community service. A Havard-teaching hospital, the medical center offers medical expertise in cardiology, cancer care, women's health, diabetes/vascular surgery, obstetrics, transplantation and AIDS. If you need specialized care, testing or hospitalization, our clinical staff can refer you or your family members to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or Children's Hospital. Reports on tests and specialized care are sent to our providers so they can manage all your care needs.

Location

Bowdoin Street Health Center
230 Bowdoin Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Childrens Hospital Boston, Kit Clark Senior Center, Boston Public Health Commission, Dorchester Cares, Teen Empowerment Alternatives for Community & Environment, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Greater Four Corners Action Coalition

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Referrals, community organizing through Community Health Program, involvement in community events.

Key Programs Offered: 

Besides its clinical services, Bowdoin Street Health Center has a number of community-outreach, mentoring, volunteer programs: check out the HealthyIs Media Gallery or the Health Corps Program for High School Students as fine examples.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
11/03/2010

Close to Home Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative

Phone: 

(617) 929-5151

Email: 
Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

M-F: 9am-5pm Saturdays: varies

Mission: 

Close to Home is a resident-driven domestic violence prevention and community organizing campaign based in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Close to Home aims to prevent domestic violence and get help for those affected by educating, supporting, and developing leadership from the existing network of friends, family and neighbors. Close to Home is also working to mobilize the neighborhood's civic life, through dialogue and problem solving, to address domestic violence as a priority community issue in Dorchester.

Location

Close to Home
42 Charles St. Suite A
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Tieng Xanh Voice, Inc., SCI Dorchester, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Inc. (Viet-AID), Vietnamese American Civic Association (VACA), All Dorchester Sports League, Boston Police Dept. District C-11, Fields Corner Community Network

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

By contacting us and/or coming to our meetings and events.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
04/23/2010
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