Category: Social Justice
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Nursing Home Chain Comes Under Fire for Labor Practices
BOSTON, Mass.—Genesis, the nation’s largest nursing home chain, has come under fire from workers across the Commonwealth. Complaints include unaffordable health care plans, low salaries, the recent closure of Glenwood Hood Nursing Home in Lowell, and new plans to close the Falmouth Center. Workers at the Glenwood facility are particularly upset that they were not […]
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Candidate Proposes Office of Recovery
BOSTON, Mass.—Democratic candidate Joe Avellone announced in February that he would establish an Office of Recovery focused on substance abuse treatment if elected governor. According to a statement released by the Avellone Campaign, the Office of Recovery would operate under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.The Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse would be […]
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Patrick Calls for Criminal Reform for Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
BOSTON, Mass.—Gov. Deval Patrick has announced a plan to reduce recidivism by 50 percent in the next five years by implementing a step-down program, substance abuse rehabilitation and proper care for mentally ill offenders. To reduce recidivism, Patrick plans to introduce a step-down program that will allow inmates to finish their sentences at county-based houses […]
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High Time: Marijuana Dispensaries Come to Massachusetts
In November 2012, Massachusetts became one of eighteen states in the U.S. to pass a law regulating access to medical marijuana. The state has been extremely thorough and cautious in determining how to successfully implement the law, especially when it comes to the rigorous application process for those who wanted to open dispensaries in the […]
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Smart Growth Districts Promise Affordable Housing
BOSTON, Mass.—Starting in April, communities across Massachusetts will be able to apply for a grant from the Planning Assistance Towards Housing (PATH) organization, a state group, to improve housing accessibility. To qualify for one of the $600,000 grants, the community must demonstrate how the money will be used to contribute to housing production. An application […]
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No Place Like Home: Housing for LGBTQ Homeless Youth
There’s a book called “Youth in Crisis: What Everyone Should Know About Growing Up Gay” edited by Mitchell Gold, that contains a series of interviews with young people. There is a story in there that is heartbreaking: The Trevor Project, an American nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and […]
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Where Will It End?
In the last issue of SPARE CHANGE NEWS, there was a news article by Alex Ramirez on sequester cuts: how will they affect federal funding for programs that service the poor and the homeless? For one, housing vouchers (like Section 8) which subsidize rent for those who cannot afford the full price, will be greatly […]
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Power and Privilege in the Anthony Weiner Sex Scandal
From looking at mainstream coverage of Anthony Weiner’s ongoing scandals, it would seem there are only two possible positions to take on the embattled politician. On one side are those who denounce Weiner’s sexting and lies as disqualifying him from office. On the other are those, mostly liberals and progressives, who argue that Weiner’s behavior […]
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Politics as Unusual: Mayoral Candidate Dan Conley’s Troubling Record of Clearing Cops Who Kill Minorities
Word on the street is that the acquittal of George Zimmerman might catalyze a meaningful dialogue about race and power. In cities coast to coast, a conversation has already manifested, with the biggest protest crowds since Occupy uniting to express outrage and to honor the memory of Trayvon Martin. Around the Hub, it’s anybody’s guess […]
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Before Trayvon Martin
“Fruitvale Station” directed by Ryan Coogler Significant Productions, 85 min., in theaters now The award-winning film “Fruitvale Station” shows the true story of 22-year-old Oscar Grant III on the day of his death. The timing of this movie could not have been better. Following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the murder of Trayvon Martin, […]