Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Trump Budget: Deep Cuts to SNAP Could Affect Thousands in MA
Even a 25 percent cut to SNAP—enough to leave thousands hungrier in Massachusetts—can’t make the White House budget math add up, according to a new analysis. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, President Trump’s first budget would slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) by nearly $200 billion.…
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Where The Highways End
Way back in the late 1800s, the first automobiles rolled down the dirt roads. The age of the combustion engine that took us places was born. If we knew now what we didn’t know then, would we have proceeded to build the highways and byways of the rough beast? At first, there were just byways,…
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Invisible Nation: Author Richard Schweid Discusses Family Homelessness
In 2002 Tennessee-born author Richard Schweid found himself checking in to a rundown motel outside of Detroit. Brought there by his research for his 2004 book on transportation in contemporary Cuba, Schweid had no idea that he was about to stumble upon an entire community that exists across the United States hidden in plain sight:…
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‘Map the Meal Gap’ highlights food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts
Food insecurity rates among residents of Eastern Massachusetts remain unchanged as the national rate is on the decline, a recent report published by the Map the Meal Gap project found. The numbers show that nearly 500,000 people in Eastern Massachusetts are struggling to feed themselves, which equates to one out of 10 people, Greater Boston…
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To thine own self be true: Slaine talks big pharma, music and recovery
Slaine Carroll beat addiction and is now making a name for himself in the Boston music scene. Courtesy photo Slaine Carroll is as embedded in hip-hop as hip-hop is embedded in him. Writing his first rhyme at the age of nine after hearing the Beastie Boys’ “License To Ill,” the Boston native knew he wanted…
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City Officials and Activists Discuss Health and Fair Housing in Roxbury
BPHC Director Monica Valdes Lupi Residents of Roxbury, especially those living in subsidized housing, face greater health risks, including higher rates of asthma, diabetes and elevated blood lead levels, than many other Boston residents. These increased risks, according to the Boston Public health Commission, are linked to the quality and availability of housing in Boston.…
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SPOT: An Innovative Approach to Reduce Deaths, Provide Treatment and Build Relationships
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) has been providing care to over 12,000 homeless individuals since 1985. As one of the oldest programs in the city that serves the homeless, it is always building creative and accessible ways to serve vulnerable populations. In April 2016, BHCHP established SPOT, which stands for Supportive Place…
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Coming together to end homelessness
In the 25 plus years I’ve been involved with homelessness, whether it’s been personal experience or as an activist, the one question I always keep coming back to is: “Why can’t we solve it?” There are probably a million reasons why we haven’t, but it’s not happening, and you’d think that with the wealth of…
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Boston Uncornered: Former Gang Members Seek New Road to College
Former gang members, politicians, law enforcement officers and philanthropists shared a stage on May 18 for College Bound Dorchester’s 13th annual fundraiser. This year, the nonprofit unveiled it’s new “Boston Uncornered” program, a three-year initiative with the aim of helping troubled youth and adults attend and graduate from college. Boston Police Commissioner William Evans…
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Affordable home becomes classroom for vocational students
Photos by Anna Bloxham About a dozen Madison Park High School students donned hard hats at the site of an affordable, energy efficient two-family home that is being built in Roxbury to learn the dos and don’t when it comes to safety in the field of carpentry. The event was organized by the Youthbuild Boston,…
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