The Community Engagement and Membership Committee (CEMC) was created by BACH to address strategic health issues facing Boston. CEMC’s mission is to diversify community partnerships and increase resident involvement in BACH’s advocacy and health planning through education, communication, and collaboration. Its members are actively working to create effective ways to share information on the successes, challenges, and resources of community members, coalitions, and BACH affiliates; provide educational opportunities for residents, coalitions, and organizations about community health, health equity, and systemic racism ; and promote community engagement and strengthen relationships between neighborhoods throughout Boston to improve health outcomes, and empower residents to advocate for community wellness.
This year we are trying something new! Partnering organizations will be offering trainings and learning opportunities during the first hour of CEMC’s monthly meetings, which will be followed by a community meetings where residents can find different ways to have a positive impact on their community and get involved with BACH. Attendees will have the chance to learn about systemic issues that impact the health of Boston residents in the context of systemic issues that impact our society, barriers people have to accessing resources about the topic, the impact it can have on everyday life, and current ways residents can advocate for these issues.
At BACH we have a vision of “a Boston that is vibrant, just, and equitable, where all people who live, work, play pray, and learn here have optimal health and well-being and enjoy a supportive environment and a sense of safety and belonging – regardless of who they are, what neighborhood they live in, or where they come from.” We believe that educating about these issues is the first step to moving forward to that vision.
Topics covered at our monthly meetings can be found below:
For each training that residents attend their name will be entered in to a raffle to win prizes at the end of the year. Possible raffle prizes include but are not limited to store and restaurant gift cards, MBTA vouchers, gym or yoga studio membership, a garden plot, hubway passes, and a bike/helmet set.
To generate excitement about our new training sessions, CEMC and partners will be hosting Making Healthy Connections, three resource fairs to give residents the opportunity to learn more about BACH, healthy behaviors, and systemic issues that impact Bostonians. We want to give people an opportunity to get involved with their communities and feel connected to organizations and coalitions in their neighborhoods that can help them as a way to improve coordination and integration of healthcare and community based prevention activities and services. Making Healthy Connections is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th, Monday, March 9th, and Tuesday, March 17th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. There will be one resource fair in East Boston, one in the Mattapan/Dorchester area, and one in the South End/Roxbury area in an effort to reach residents in different geographical regions. Stayed tuned for updates!
Raffle prizes at the event may include but are not limited to gift cards, sports tickets, food from local restaurants, and gym or yoga studio membership. Food and childcare will be provided at each event!
Download the flyer for our kick-off event, Navigating Healthcare, here.
**Session 1: Navigating Healthcare**
Are you confused about how to sign up for an insurance plan? Is your current plan too high? We can help! Our Kick-Off Event will have members of the Mayor’s Health Line to answer questions and sign you up for an individual appointment to find what will work best for you. We can help you with enrollment, care management, multilingual services, and referrals to source of care providers. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 22, 2015
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Boston Public Library
Commonwealth Salon
700 Boylston Street, MA 02116
Download Navigating Healthcare flyer here.
**Session 2: Stress Management**
Are you confused about how to sign up for an insurance plan? Is your current plan too high? We can help! Our Kick-Off Event will have members of the Mayor’s Health Line to answer questions and sign you up for an individual appointment to find what will work best for you. We can help you with enrollment, care management, multilingual services, and referrals to source of care providers. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Julia Martin House
90 Bickford Street, Boston, MA 02130
Download Stress Management flyer here.
Making Healthy Connections
Have you ever wondered what resources are in your neighborhood? Making Healthy Connections is a series of resource fairs to help you get connected with and learn about the resources in your neighborhood! If you want to learn more about BACH, community health and health equity, collaborate with other neighborhoods, and become an advocate for change, please join us! Your participation is important! This is a FREE event and food will be provided.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
East Boston Social Center
68 Central Square, East Boston, MA 02128
Monday, March 9, 2015
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
USES’ Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
5:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Mattapan Branch Library
1350 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126
Download Making Healthy Connections flyer here.
**Session 3: Financial Stability**
Are you interested in learning about different ways you can improve your credit score? Do you want some strategies that can help you start saving? Want to know the best ways to ensure you have financial security and freedom? We can help! Come to learn more with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). FREE EVENT. DINNER PROVIDED. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Blackstone Community Center
50 West Brookline Street, Boston, MA 02118
Download Financial Stability flyer here.
**Session 4: Healthy Affordable Foods**
Are you interested in learning about food security, food access, the systems that act as barriers to health equity, and how to combat them Do you want to learn how to own a garden plot, and basic skills about how to be a great gardener? Come to our meeting and hear from Boston Natural Areas Network about these topics and more! FREE EVENT. DINNER PROVIDED. We hope that you’ll join us!
Thursday, April 23, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Codman Square Public Library
690 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Download Healthy Affordable Foods Flyer here.
**Session 5: Domestic Violence**
Our meeting, facilitated by Casa Myrna, will review how we define and talk about domestic violence, the types of abuse, cycles and patterns of abuse, barriers to partners leaving, myths about domestic violence, and resources for people who are currently in an abusive relationship or have been in the past.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Dudley Public Library
65 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Download Domestic Violence Flyer here.
**Session 6: Exercising In Your Community**
Our meeting, facilitated by Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, will review fitness opportunities you can look for in your neighbor-hood, best practices for how to get members of your community active, and give you the opportunity to exercise with a great group of people!
Thursday, July23, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Foley
249 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126
Download Exercising In Your Community Flyer here.
**Session 7: HIV Care**
With help from HBGC we’ll explore the attitudinal, behavioral, structural, and institutional barriers that may prevent an HIV+ person from entering and remaining in medical care. We’ll also explore social determinants of health, health inequities, intersectionality, and best practices for supporting HIV+ clients.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Upham’s Corner Health Center
415 Columbus Road, Dorchester, MA 02125
**Session 8: Immigrant Leadership**
With help from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition we will discuss what’s going on with immigration at the federal, state and local level, pro-immigrant campaigns in Mass., and how you can use your power to make change!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
South Boston Action Center
424 W Broadway, South Boston MA 02127
Download Immigrant Leadership Flyer here.
**Session 9: Tenant Rights**
Our meeting, led by Director of Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, Michael Kane, will address and explain some of the housing programs available to Boston tenants. Topics include public housing, Section 8 voucher program, and HUD affordable housing. Come join us for an informative and empowering evening!
Thursday, September 24, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Josephine A Fiorentino Community Center
123 Antwerp Street, Brighton MA 02135
Download Tenant Rights Flyer here.
**Session 10: Women’s Health**
For our last meeting of 2015, we will be joined by staff from the Sister 2 Sister program of ABCD Health Services. They will offer an overview of the issues affecting young and adult women’s sexual health, and lead interactive prevention activities. Participants will also receive information about additional services.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Charlestown HealthCare Center
73 High Street, Charlestown, MA 02129