City of Boston, Funding update

The Funding Update FEDERAL GRANTS National Endowment for the Arts, 2/10/2022 Grants for Arts Projects support various forms of art across the nation, the creation of art, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. Awards range from $10,000 to $150,000  Environmental Protection Agency, 2/25/2022 Grants will support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments. Small Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000; Large Grants will range from  $100,001-$500,000. National Endowment for the Arts, 3/10/2022 The Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement.  National Endowment for the Arts, 4/10/2022 Challenge America grants ($10,000) support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. National Endowment for the Humanities, 4/13/2022 Fellowships support individual scholars pursuing projects that embody exceptional humanistic research, rigorous analysis, and clear writing. Awards range from $30,000 to $60,000. Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated here STATE GRANTS Department of Youth Services, 3/1/2022 Seeking proposals from vocational and higher education, unions, businesses, nonprofit and community based organizations for career, technical, workforce training and employment programs and services for DYS youth in residential and community settings. Department of Public Health, through 6/30/2024 BASAS seeks Opioid Treatment Programs, including mobile services. MA Cultural Council, 1/24/2022 Direct grants to artists to recognize exceptional creative work: Artist Fellowships are $15,000, Finalist awards are $5,000.  MA Department of Education, 1/28/2022 Seeking bids to establish and support a statewide Adult Education Virtual School system branded as MassLinks. Contracts will be based on costs per service of $2,800 to $3,500 and may be renewed for up to 2 years. MassDevelopment, 3/18/2022 Collaborative Workspace grants support innovation centers, incubators, makerspaces, artists’ spaces, collaborative kitchens, and coworking spaces to accelerate the pace of new business formation, job formation, and entrepreneurial activity in communities. Fit-out grants: up to $100,000; Seed grants: up to $15,000 for planning. 1. Submit an Expression of Interest form through the One Stop for Growth portal to receive early guidance from program partners. 2. If a municipal support letter is needed, reach out to igr[at]boston[dot]gov with sufficient time to meet the deadline. New This Week: Town of Medway, 2/3/2022 The Medway School Committee and district leadership are seeking a vendor to partner, lead, and engage the district in reflection, analysis, and inquiry to identify opportunities to achieve parity across all student populations, as well as among faculty and staff. Maximum budget: $48,000. City of Chelsea, 2/3/2022 Requests Proposals for project management services for American Rescue Plan Act. Department of Housing & Community Development, 2/8/2022 Community Development Corporations are eligible to apply for an allocation of Community Investment Tax Credits. Program regulations are defined in 760 CMR 68.00. MassDevelopment, Open Commonwealth Places offers Seed Grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, and Implementation grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Seed grants must be matched with local funding or in-kind donations. Implementation grants must be matched with crowdfunding donations.Open to both nonprofits and community groups. A municipal letter of support is required in the second stage of the application process. Contact igr[at]boston[dot]gov with sufficient time to meet any deadline imposed by MassDevelopment. UPCOMING: ARPA legislation has been approved by the Governor. Significant funding is allocated for job training, youth violence prevention, economic development and housing. The next step is for state agencies to announce when they will release funding guidelines.  If any applications require municipal letters of support, reach out to igr[at]boston[dot]gov, giving sufficient time to meet deadlines. Check the “Other Resources” column on CommBUYS for Newly Posted Bids. CITY GRANTS Open Bids: Public Facilities Commission/Department of Neighborhood Development, 5/2/2022 The Grassroots Open Space Program makes land and funding available specifically for the development of open space projects such as community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and passive open space. Max award: $100,000. New This Week: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, 2/1/2022 Requesting proposals from providers to assist small businesses and aspiring small business owners in Boston, with the goal of expanding economic and entrepreneurial opportunity and capacity throughout Boston. Also seeking a firm or consultants who can provide a broad range of technical assistance services to Cannabis Equity applicants. Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, 2/11/2022 Requesting qualifications from Workforce and Professional Development Consultants for the Boston Artists in Residency Program. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS Uber Eats + Visa + LISC, 1/24/2022 Grants of $10,000 will be awarded to 100 Uber Eats member restaurants in need in 10 key markets (including Boston). LISC will select grant recipients, giving weighted preference for women-, veteran-, LGTBQIA-, and BIPOC-owned enterprises. Allowable costs include payroll, vendor expenses, rent and utilities, and upgrading technology infrastructure. National Endowment for the Arts + Arts Midwest, 1/26/2022 The Big Read supports activities that engage an entire community and/or respond creatively to a single book. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.   Clif Family Foundation, 2/1, 6/1 and 10/1 - annually Grants support nonprofit grassroots organizations that are working to strengthen our food system, enhance equitable community health outcomes, and safeguard our environment and natural resources. Priority is given to organizations that address two or more of the Foundation's funding priorities, demonstrate strong community ties, and operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.  Snapdragon Book Foundation, 2/13/2022 Grants support school libraries serving disadvantaged children. Awards typically range from $2,500 to $10,000. Kessler Foundation, 2/22/2022 Signature Employment grants support new pilot initiatives, demonstration projects, and social ventures that lead to a generation of new ideas to solve the high unemployment and underemployment of individuals with disabilities. For this grant cycle, the Foundation places a priority on projects that address the intersection of race, class, gender, disability, and poverty within the framework of helping individuals with disabilities obtain employment or re-enter the job market. Max award: $250,000 per year for two years.  Toshiba America, 3/1/2022 Grants (up to $5,000) support increased student success in grades 6 - 12 by introducing creative projects that make STEM learning fun.  Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. Click here to Subscribe. THE RESOURCE TABLE Donor-Advised Fund Factsheets Courtesy of Schwab Charitable Office of Workforce Development Request for Public Comment Deadline: 1/21/2022 In January 2022, OWD plans to issue an open and competitive Request for Proposals for the FY23 Community Development Block Grant for Public Services. In preparation for the release of the RFP, OWD staff have developed a policy principles document to help guide the selection of CDBG programs for FY23.

Baker-Polito Administration Files $5 Billion General Government Bond Bill

 Baker-Polito Administration Files $5 Billion General Government Bond Bill

 Proposal seeks critical authorization for investments in cybersecurity, public safety, workforce skills

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today filed legislation seeking $4.991 billion in capital funds to support core improvements that will enable the Commonwealth to continue delivering critical state services to the people of Massachusetts. 

 

The proposal, titled An Act Financing the General Governmental Infrastructure of the Commonwealth, includes $4.15 billion to maintain, repair, and modernize assets that serve those most in need across the Commonwealth, help educate the future workforce, deliver on key environmental objectives, and keep the Commonwealth’s communities and workers safe.  It also includes $841 million to continue existing, successful grant programs that support Massachusetts communities, to improve cybersecurity and other technology infrastructure, and to acquire critical public safety equipment.

 

“This bill supports essential capital investments that will deliver long-lasting benefits to Massachusetts residents for years to come, with a focus on safety, resiliency and opportunity,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to make these important investments, which will pave the way for the continued efficient delivery of government services and economic growth.”

 

“The proposed investments in this bill continue our Administration’s work to improve a wide range of critical infrastructure and foster growth and development across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These funds will ensure the continuity of proven programs and enable impactful future economic, health and safety initiatives that will benefit the Commonwealth’s communities, businesses and residents.”

 

The bill filed today makes authorization available through Fiscal Year 2028 that would support $2.4 billion in existing maintenance and resiliency projects through the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM). DCAMM maintains nearly 1,700 major buildings covering 60.8 million gross square feet of property across the Commonwealth, including higher education buildings, health and human services facilities, public safety facilities, and trial courts. It also leads decarbonization and resiliency efforts in accordance with Executive Order 594, Leading by Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government, which was issued by Governor Baker in April of 2021 and directs efforts to reduce gas emissions in Massachusetts facilities. The bond bill proposes $400 million in energy efficiency initiatives at facilities statewide. 

 

An additional $1.8 million in DCAMM authorization is proposed to meet new facilities’ needs and mitigate future risks. This includes an increased focus on incorporating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic related to the physical space and layout of facilities.

 

The bill also proposes $185 million in authorization for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Services (EOTSS) to support a variety of cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and application modernizations initiatives. This includes projects that would modernize the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Online system and build out an integrated eligibility and enrollment system to streamline the benefits application process across multiple state agencies. $50 million is proposed to improve virtual and physical security infrastructure at the Trial Courts facilities, including intrusion detection and video monitoring. Further public safety investments include $60 million for equipment for fire services, corrections, and communications towers, and $100 million for the replacement of approximately 300 Massachusetts State Police vehicles per year, half of which will be hybrid vehicles. 

 

“This $5 billion bond bill reflects the Baker-Polito Administration’s dual commitment to supporting the Commonwealth’s assets and making sustainable, fiscally responsible capital investments,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “The projects proposed are key to maintaining core government operations and will keep the state moving forward, and we are looking forward to working with the Legislature to pass this bill into law.”

 

The bill seeks to support Massachusetts’ communities by authorizing $496 million for established and successful grant and community programs that have a track record of providing valuable resources for workforce development, economic development, housing, and more to communities across the state. This includes the Workforce Skills Capital Grants Program, the Community Compact IT Grants Program, the Cultural Facilities Fund, the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Housing Stabilization Fund and the Housing Choice Capital Grants Program.

 

In June 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration finalized its Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026, and the authorizations in this bond bill would support investments and initiatives in the upcoming annual update to the Capital Investment Plan, which will include capital spending for Fiscal Years 2023-2027.

 

Highlights of the bond bill include:

 

• $185 million for various cybersecurity and IT infrastructure initiatives, including:
• $100 million for cybersecurity investments and to support existing large business applications modernization projects
• $50 million for virtual and physical security infrastructure at the Trial Courts facilities, such as intrusion detection, duress, physical screening, access control, video monitoring, and communications
• $35 million to upgrade Lottery gaming systems, decommission end-of-life equipment, and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities

 

• $160 million for public safety investments, including:
• $100 million for the replacement of approximately 300+ vehicles per year, half of which will be hybrid
• $60 million for public safety equipment for fire services, corrections, state police & parole vehicles, and communications towers

 

• $100 million to continue support for the Workforce Skills capital grants program, which provides grants to high schools, community colleges, training programs, and non-profit organizations to purchase equipment that will help expand access to career technical education programs 
• $100 million for municipal grants to support a broad range of local infrastructure improvements and projects

 

• $64 million to support the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund (SRF) – specifically, for the Commonwealth’s matching funds required to secure federal dollars for the Fund, which helps cities and towns in improve water supply infrastructure and drinking water safety

 

• $60 million for the Housing Stabilization Fund, which provides funding for municipalities, non-profit, for-profit developers and local housing authorities in support of affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation

 

• $51 million for the continuation of the Food Security program, which improves food security for the people of the Commonwealth through grants aimed at enhancing access to and production of local food for the next two years at current funding level

 

• $50 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund to continue providing grants for planning, acquisition, rehabilitation and construction of cultural facilities administered through Massachusetts Cultural Council and MassDevelopment

 

• $30 million for the Community Compact IT competitive grant program aimed at driving innovation at the local level and available to any municipality that is part of Community Compact Cabinet Initiative 

 

• $25 million for Housing Choice grants to municipalities that receive a Housing Choice designation through high housing production and/or demonstration of best practices

 

• $16 million for MassVentures START grants, which help businesses commercialize ideas that have been backed with federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding

波士頓市長吳弭匯報美沙酮英里帳篷已清拆 流民均安置

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)在松街客棧庭院開記者會，抗議規定打疫苗群眾在牆外
高呼「打疫苗的自由 (Freedom Over Vaccine)」。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 12月16日通知，1月12日154名流民獲得安置，「美沙酮英里」行人道上帳篷清空。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 圓滿完成了就任市長以來的第一項大考驗。

           儘管12日，13日，14日，仍然有30到50名流民，一小群一小群的散聚在「百福批發總匯 (Food Pak)」座落的南安普頓街 (Southampton)上，但至少是沒有了帳篷。人們也都知道，波士頓市政府要整頓這吸毒者群聚地區，已經說了不下10年，卻一直都沒能改變的情況，也不太可能一下子就消失無蹤。

           但現在警察增加了在這一地區的巡邏，社工也繼續訪視，情況是比去年悄然冒出上百個帳棚好多了。

          波士頓市長吳弭1月13日一早，率同資深顧問Monica Bharel博士，波士頓房屋長Sheila Dillon，波士頓公共衛生局主任Bisola Ojikutu博士，波士頓警察局街道外展主警官Peter Messina，來到松街客棧 (Pine Street Inn)的婦女客棧，和該機構執行長Lyndia Downie，以及波士頓市不分區市議員Erin Murphy，第7區市議員Tania Fernandes Anderson一起，舉行了記者會。

          吳弭說，「這是個轉捩點」。她想強調，在市政府各部門的合作、努力下，她們為流民們提供了庇護所，低門檻的臨時住宅，將來爭取永久住宅的途徑，以及協助他們戒毒，醫療的各種資源，期間沒有人被捕，也沒有人被強迫離開。

          吳弭還仔細的報告，這些流民有40人被轉介到了「勝利項目(Victory )」經營的Envision旅館，21人被轉介到波士頓公共衛生局經營，位於南安普頓街112號的1號宿舍，24人被安置到聖法蘭西斯屋所經營的Wood Mullen庇護所，10人被轉介到麻州護理聯盟，以及Eliot社區人民服務所經營的Shattuck小屋社區，31人被轉介到波士頓醫療中心所經營的圓屋旅館（Roundhouse），28人被轉介到松街客棧在Shattuck的庇護所。

          在去年底時，在南安普頓街，以及Atkinson 街和新市場村一帶，有不下70個帳篷，後來增加到將近100個。

          吳弭表示，清拆帳篷的另一原因是冬天來了，天氣太冷，人們露宿街頭的話，既沒有自來水，也沒暖氣，電燈，衛生條件太糟糕，生命安全可慮。波士頓市政府希望在這臨時做法之後，繼續研議中長期的解決辦法，前一陣子她和市府要員巡視長島，已經確認那兒有很大的地方，樓宇設施可用，只是還得解決交通，醫療諮詢等問題。

          在匯報中，Sheila Dillon表示波士頓市政府正在繼續尋覓低門檻房屋，松街客棧執行長表示該機構正在擴展，將在幾個月內破土動工，打造一批新的收容場所，甚至可為流民們提供永久性居屋。

          波士頓警察證實了在過去這星期內，南安普頓街一帶的流民聚居地，共發現了２具屍體，其中１具為男性成人，案件細節因仍在調查，無法透露。由波士頓第一線工作人員組成的「Live Boston 617」，則在他們自行發表的網上刊物稱，死者之一是一名29歲男生。

MAYOR WU SHARES UPDATE ON WORK TO ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS CENTERED AT MASS. AVE. AND MELNEA CASS BOULEVARD Work continues to create medium- and long-term strategies to address crisis

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu gave updates on Mass & Cass. (Photo by Chutze Chou) BOSTON - Thursday, January 13, 2022 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu hosted a press conference at the Women's Inn at Pine Street in the South End, alongside President and Executive Director at Pine Street Inn Lyndia Downie; Senior Advisor Dr. Monica Bharel; Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon; Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission Dr. Bisola Ojikutu; and BPD Lieutenant Peter Messina of the Street Outreach Unit to give an update on the actions taken to address the humanitarian crisis centered in the area of Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard. By Thursday morning, 154 individuals were referred to low-threshold shelter or housing options and no arrests were made. Following Wednesday’s efforts to place individuals into emergency housing, Mayor Wu is leading the city in creating medium- and long-term actions to address the crisis. “This is a turning point towards creating better resources and pathways to meet the needs of individuals living unsheltered. The encampments posed a serious risk to public health and safety. I am grateful to all of our partners, including our BPHC outreach workers, our Public Works team, the Boston Police Department, and all of our state and provider partners,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This is an important step as we continue to work together to create medium- and long-term plans to support those experiencing homelessness, substance use disorder or mental health challenges, centered in the Mass. Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard area.” The Boston Public Health Commission’s Recovery Services Street Outreach Team engages with individuals on the street on a daily basis. On December 16, the Street Outreach Team notified individuals living in the encampment that no tents would be allowed starting on January 12 and shared that shelter, housing, and treatment resources are available. In addition to the street outreach that the Street Outreach Team leads every day, additional outreach teams (including staff from BPHC’s Homeless Services Bureau, Pine Street Inn, and St. Francis House) increased their street outreach from January 5-January 12. They also accompanied the Inspectional Services Department when notices were posted on January 5 and January 10 to help individuals connect to resources. The outreach teams offered storage bins to all individuals living in the encampment to help with their transition, in partnership with a program run by the Newmarket Business Association. As of January 12, 154 individuals had been referred to the new low-threshold shelter and housing that the City brought online during the housing surge, in collaboration with State partners. This included 40 individuals referred to the Envision Hotel, run by Victory Programs; 21 people referred to Dorm 1 at 112 Southampton Street Shelter, run by Boston Public Health Commission; 24 people referred to Willows at Woods, run by St. Francis House in the Woods Mullen Shelter; 10 people referred to the Cottage Community at the Shattuck, run by Commonwealth Care Alliance and Eliot Community Human Services; 31 people referred to the Roundhouse Hotel, run by Boston Medical Center; and 28 people referred to Pine Street Inn’s shelter at the Shattuck. Across the sites, individuals are provided with wraparound services including connections to medical, mental health and substance use care, housing search and stabilization services, harm reduction services, and recovery coaching.  Recently, Mayor Wu visited Long Island with members of her team to evaluate its potential uses to address intermediate and long-term needs for supportive housing and recovery services. The trip was a part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to audit city-owned properties to identify opportunities to expand long-term and permanent supportive housing, substance use treatment, and other recovery services.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Additional $13.5 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Additional $13.5 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

 

Funding builds on ongoing efforts to increase awareness and access to vaccines in communities hardest hit by the pandemic

 

BOSTON (January 13, 2022) – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $13.5 million to support community organizations working in the cities and towns hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness, acceptance and access to the COVID-19 vaccine. These latest grants are part of the Administration’s investment of more than $46.5 million to address vaccine hesitancy.

 

With these funds, community organizations continue the work of reducing barriers to vaccine access and promoting primary vaccines and boosters for communities and populations most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

 

“These trusted community-based organizations and leaders know their communities and neighborhoods best,” said Acting Department of Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “These organizations expand and amplify the efforts of our Vaccine Equity Initiative by helping address the immediate and long-term health equity needs in priority communities – needs that have been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” 

 

The $13.5 million includes:

 

• $10.65 million to launch the Massachusetts Community Health Workers for Resilient Communities (MA CRC) program. Ten organizations in nine priority communities have been awarded three-year grants to support community health workers in clinical care settings and support local boards of health in increasing COVID-19 vaccination efforts. 

 

• $2.2 million has been awarded through June 2022 to extend current outreach and education funding to 45 community- and faith-based organizations, including Tribal and Indigenous People-serving organizations. These organizations will continue hosting and promoting vaccine clinics in the 20 Massachusetts communities most impacted by COVID-19. Funded organizations will also engage families and children to support pediatric vaccinations.

 

• $675,000 has been awarded to 9 community organizations to support a new COVID-19 vaccine equity program to support the unique needs of rural communities. 

The grants are the result of three major funding awards from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Commonwealth, building on the state’s investment to increase vaccine awareness and acceptance in communities hardest hit by COVID-19.

 

 

Award Recipients:

 

Massachusetts Community Health Workers for Resilient Communities (MA CRC) (CHW) $10.65M ($3.55M per year for 3 years) 

• Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
• Whittier Street Health Center
• Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
• MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center
• Cambridge Health Alliance - Everett Care Center
• Cambridge Health Alliance - Malden Care Center
• Cambridge Health Alliance - Revere Care Center
• Lowell Community Health Center 
• Baystate Health and Caring Health Center 
• Family Health Center of Worcester

 

Rural Vaccine Program                                                                                                                                            $675,000 (funded organizations will receive $75,000 each) 

• Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
• CHNA 9 (North Central)
• CHNA 9 (East Quabbin)
• Island Health
• Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
• North Quabbin Community Coalition
• Outer Cape Community Solutions
• Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network
• Town of Ware

 

Vaccine Community Access Partners (HRiA) $2,105,754                                                                                                                                     Grant size: $35,000 - $50,000 per organization

• African Community Education Program
• Asian American Civic Association
• Asian Women for Health
• Association Ministerial Evangelical de Lawrence
• Association of Islamic Charitable Project
• Autism Sprinter
• Black Springfield COVID-19 Coalition (Springfield Partners for Community Action)
• Black Boston COVID Coalition
• Brockton Area Multi Services, Inc.
• Building Audacity, Inc.
• Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell, Inc.
• Catholic Social Services of Fall River, Inc.
• Centro Communitario de Trabajadores (TIPSO)
• Chelsea Black Community, Inc.
• La Colaborativa
• CHICA Project, Inc.
• Community Economic Development Center
• Disability Policy Consortium
• The Everett Haitian Community Center
• Greater Lowell Health Alliance
• GreenRoots
• Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Plymouth (TIPSO)
• Immigrants Assistance Center
• International Institute of New England, Inc.
• JAHAN Women and Youth Intercultural
• Massachusetts Council of Churches
• New American Association of Massachusetts
• New Life Community Empowerment Center
• New North Citizens’ Council, Inc.
• Ohketeau Cultural Center (TIPSO)
• One Holyoke CDC
• Pinnacle Partnership Corp
• Pioneer Valley Project
• Randolph Community Partnership
• Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE)
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central MA
• Spanish American Center
• The Boston Project Ministries
• The Center for Hope and Healing
• The Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care
• The Latino Health Insurance Program
• The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
• Who’s Got Morale
• Worcester Interfaith
• YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts

波士頓市長吳弭提醒民眾1/15起 進餐館等室內場所需出示疫苗證明 (中文視頻)

 

麻州文化協會撥款150萬元給72個以青少年為對象的項目

Mass Cultural Council Awards more than $1.5M to Programs Serving Massachusetts Youth

BOSTON – Mass Cultural Council today announces that grants totaling $1,584,000 have been awarded to 72 programs in communities across the Commonwealth that focus on infusing youth development with creative experiences in the arts, humanities, and sciences.   “The importance of Creative Youth Development programming at this time in history cannot be overstated,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “These programs not only foster creativity in young people, but they also provide supports – for mental health, promoting racial justice, and food insecurity. As a child, I found solace and comfort in the arts when stress, struggle, and anger surfaced in my life. I am pleased Mass Cultural Council is able to continue to invest in these important programs at a time when young people need them the most.”   Creative Youth Development programs foster creative expression while supporting core social and emotional skills, engaging young people of all ages as empowered agents in their own lives. As a practice, Creative Youth Development draws from a belief that culture plays a major role in the growth of creative, productive, and independent-minded citizens and thriving communities.   Mass Cultural Council’s YouthReach initiative is the longest continually running support program for Creative Youth Development (CYD) work in the United States. With this latest round of funding, YouthReach has invested more than $15 million into more than 100 Massachusetts organizations in its 27-year history. Each of the 72 grantees will receive $22,000 in this round to support their work, including: Berkshire Pulse, Great Barrington - to provide dance, world music and performing arts instruction after school and during summer breaks for at-risk youth in Southern Berkshire County. Elevated Thought Foundation, Lawrence - for youth to examine societal issues and explore new ideas through discussion and debate, poetry, organizing, and the use of various visual art mediums. New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford - to provide 18 low-income, academically motivated high school students with resources and experiences to deepen community engagement, promote personal and professional development, and cultivate college and career readiness. A complete funding list and project descriptions for the FY22 YouthReach grantees is available online.                       A key pillar of the Agency’s Strategic Plan is Empowering a Creative Generation. YouthReach accomplishes this goal by providing targeted resources and training to increase the depth and quality of creative learning for young people and advancing the Agency’s national leadership role in Creative Youth Development through advocacy, field building, and partnerships.                  Mass Cultural Council will hold its next Creative Youth Development Community Meeting on January 27 at 3:30pm. This virtual open meeting offers a space for those working in the field of Creative Youth Development to connect, problem-solve, and spotlight best practices in a rapidly changing environment.