Spare Change News

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Recovery is Real: Florette Willis and the future of Mental Health Advocacy

    On February 2, the mental health advocacy coalition Bringing Back Boston held a ceremony to honor Florette Willis at the Museum of Science. Willis serves as the first  Director of Diversity and Inclusivity for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Massachusetts. Willis’ goal  is to to expand the accessibility of mental health services in…

  • Mass. Housing and Shelter Alliance Selected as Finalist for Hearst Health Prize

    The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is one of three finalists for the 2018 Hearst Health Prize in Population Management. The Hearst Health Prize, distributed by Hearst in partnership with Jefferson College of Population Health, is a program that recognizes individuals for significantly improving health in the U.S. According to the Jefferson College of…

  • Trump Policies Front and Center at Immigration Roundtable Hosted by MIRA

    As the federal government looks to admit fewer refugees than ever in the country’s history, the Massachusetts Immigrant & Action Coalition (MIRA) hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic on Monday, Feb. 5. The discussion was part of a national movement known as We Are All America, which works to build more inclusive communities while…

  • Social Media Surveillance by Police Targeted Black Lives Matter and Muslims

    The Boston Police Department (BPD) primarily gathered and monitored social media posts and online activity from those in the Muslim community and those participating in protests, according to a newly released report from the ACLU of Massachusetts. The BPD used the surveillance software for years without the approval of the Boston City Council. The report…

  • Trump’s Record on LGBT Rights: Abhorrent, Unprecedented

    After his first year in office, President Donald Trump’s record on LGBT rights and protections fairs far worse than his predecessors, a new report finds. The report from The Fenway Institute, an education, research, training and policy center in Boston focused on access to health for traditionally underserved communities, states that the Trump administration “has…

  • Where Are You?

    Where Are You?

    During the holidays the United Nations released a report on poverty in the United States of America, and it wasn’t pretty. This should have been a major topic of discussion in the news, but it wasn’t. It’s a story that should have been a cause for alarm, but it wasn’t. It should have sent shivers…

  • Ursula K. Le Guin Stands up for the Arts

    Ursula K. Le Guin Stands up for the Arts

    Ursula K. Le Guin, who has been called “America’s greatest science fiction writer”, passed away this week at the age of 88. Before her death, she spoke to Portland’s Street Roots. In this conversation, she voiced her support for a free press, arguing that is liberty in action – something that terrifies those who want…

  • State House Hearing on Jim Brooks Act Draws Massive Crowd

    The Massachusetts General Court held a hearing on Tuesday, January 30, where its Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard two hours of testimony regarding Boston’s Jim Brooks Stabilization Act. Present were about 100 housing activists, including members of advocacy group City Life/Vida Urbana, voicing overwhelming support for the bill. The Jim Brooks Stabilization Act  would…

  • Over one thousand volunteers show up for second annual Winter Walk for the homeless

    Over one thousand volunteers show up for second annual Winter Walk for the homeless

    The Second Annual Winter Walk began at nine in the morning in The Copley Square Plaza on Sunday, Feb. 11. Founded by Kayak co-founder and CEO of Lola Travel, Paul English. A total of $100,000 was raised last year at the very first Winter Walk, a two mile excursion that begins and ends in Copley.…

  • New $600 Million Development Breaks Ground in Fenway, Raises Gentrification Concerns

    On Jan. 30, Fenway Center hosted a groundbreaking for a $600 million development project, which will include five new buildings, 550 residential units, and office and retail space, has been long-anticipated. The event was attended by Governor Charlie Baker, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Boston Planning and Development Agency Director Brian Golden, and developer John Rosenthal.…

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