In late January of this year, a homeless man covered in a sheet and blanket was found dead on the steps of Copley Square’s Old South Church. Members of the church, which prides itself on its strong ties to the homeless community, were hit hard by the news and decided to turn his tragedy into…
Linxx: New well-being discussion group aims to create “safe space” for young women
Two young women in Cambridge are on a mission to provide a safe and welcoming space for young women to talk about the issues that concern them most. Linxx, a new well being group sponsored by the Harvard Innovation Lab, isn’t your typical discussion group. It addresses general life issues everyone can relate to, like…
Mass. Coalition for the Homeless’ Furniture Bank celebrates 30 years
Photo: Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless’ Furniture Bank marked a major milestone recently, celebrating 30 years of providing free furniture to people transitioning out of homelessness or living in poverty. The Furniture Bank was created in 1985 in the city of Lynn, the first of its kind in the state,…
Mass. Senate passes pay equity act
Photo: Emmanuel Huybrechts Massachusetts made strides toward gender equality as a bill aiming to close the pay gap between men and women was passed recently by the state Senate. Proponents of the new legislation said it would give a much-needed update to the state’s existing pay equity law by creating more transparency and fairness in…
Watertown’s Power Café seeks to empower disabled community
From the outside, Power Café is the kind of unassuming store-front that dots many an American Main Street. But this coffee shop, on the corner of Lexington and Main Streets in Watertown, is unlike any other in the area. Power Café, as you may have guessed from the name, refers to empowerment: the coffee shop…
Massachusetts Advocates Consider Call for Homeless Emergency
Activists and housing advocates in Massachusetts are looking at the possibility of declaring a state of emergency on homelessness statewide after several West Coast cities and the state of Hawaii announced emergency situations in the last few months. Representatives from about 20 Massachusetts organizations that deal with homelessness met on Dec. 4 to discuss, for…