Kay Walsh has been working in public health for close to 40 years. Initially trained as a social worker, she has experience working directly with youth and alongside the police. Kay also considers herself a “grassroots fool” because of her community organizing experience with Boston Against Drugs. A first generation Irishwoman, she personally identifies the importance of health on the individual, family and community. Forever committed to her work, Kay sees the potential spirit of change in “Southie” for the betterment of future generations.
That is why Kay helped form South Boston Collaborative Advisory Network (SBCAN) in 2006 and joined the Boston Alliance for Community Health (BACH). SBCAN’s members consist of partnerships with governmental agencies such as the Boston Police Department and the Boston Public Health Commission, and over 35 nonprofit agencies including substance abuse treatment and prevention healthcare providers, the South Boston Community Health Center and other community agencies. In an interview with Kay, who is now the coalition coordinator, she emphasized the crucial role residents play in the coalition: three tenant task forces from local housing developments are connected with the coalition and Kay estimates that overall 75% of the coalition is comprised of residents that sit on the board and participate in meetings. She acknowledged the importance of this number when she said “we would not exist without them and we remember that.”
Challenges for the SBCAN, in addition to its limited resources, include a growing gap between wealthy and poor residents, which at times can create tension in the community and make organizing more difficult. Additionally, often times residents that were born and raised in “Southie” bring one perspective and those newer to the area bring a different perspective and set of needs. However Kay is sure that with time and persistence, the coalition can continue to build cohesion and have a positive effect on the community.
SBCAN has worked on many projects to improve the health of residents over the years. The most recent accomplishment is the addition of the “Family Fun Zone” to the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The Family Fun Zone provides an alcohol-free safe space that many families seek. Additionally, SBCAN and other advocates won an important victory with the MBTA’s decision to no longer post alcohol advertisements. Although Kay lamented that it took seven long years to achieve this, she commented that in the end it was absolutely worth it. Despite the MBTA’s huge deficit, the advocacy campaign spoke to the heart of public health with educational visits to elected officials complete with statistics on youth alcohol consumption when influenced by industry advertising.
Currently SBCAN is implementing the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) framework, which was selected in 2010 by BACH’s Health Planning and Improvement Committee. In the first phase of six, SBCAN is seeking to further develop its organizational structure and leadership, as well as diversify resident participation. Working hard to increase its capacity, SBCAN will be well-equipped when it comes time for MAPP’s second phase, which involves community “visioning”. Kay says she is optimistic about using this method to strengthen SBCAN as a leading health advocacy organization in the community.
Kay was interviewed by Lynsey Avalone, former BACH intern from Boston University School of Social Work