Planning Department presents $205,000 in community benefits funding to 17 South End nonprofit organizations
Oct 18, 2024
Members of the Planning Department presented 17 nonprofit organizations that serve the South End with $205,000 in community benefits funding at an event Friday at More Than Words Bookstore, one of the grant recipients. The organizations being awarded serve the community in a variety of ways including providing youth services, combating food insecurity, and supporting low-income individuals. The organizations that received the largest amount of funding include the Boston Higher Education Resource Center and Friends of Peters Park. The funding comes from the Ink Block, Shawmut Avenue/Washington Street Block, and Harrison Albany Block development projects in the South End.
“Each of the organizations provides a unique and significant impact on the South End neighborhood,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I am glad the Planning Department can facilitate development projects delivering significant support for these important pillars of our community.”
The Boston Higher Education Resource Center (HERC), which is receiving the largest amount of funding ($30,000), focuses on equipping youth of color with the tools they need to access higher education and careers. With this funding, Boston HERC is planning to expand their programs Passport to College and Alumni Success. By expanding the programs, they will be able to serve even more young students in the community.
"The Boston HERC is so grateful for this support that will allow us to reach many more first-generation to college youth in our neighborhood to make sure they have the support they deserve to achieve a higher education, break the cycle of poverty, and become agents of change in their communities," shared Boston HERC’s CEO Carolina De Jesus.
Friends of Peters Park is receiving $25,000 in funding from this disbursement, and will use the funding to enhance Peters Park with new landscaping, better trash management, and new benches. The goal is to ensure the park is a more attractive and welcoming place for the community to enjoy.
"The Friends of Peters Park are so happy to be able to continue to bring joy to the South End and beyond, using this funding to continue to make Peters Park a better place for all,” said President of Friends of Peter’s Park Ted Pietras. “It means a lot to the volunteers who work hard to improve the park, because we see the results not only in the flowers and trees we care for, but also in the smiles of everyone who uses the park. Thank you for this opportunity to keep bringing a better environment to all!"
The host of the event, More Than Words Bookstore, is receiving $20,000 to support their ongoing programming and operations. More Than Words works with youth that are court involved, in the foster care system, out-of-school, or experiencing homelessness and empowers them by teaching new business and customer service skills at the bookstore.