Our Workshops
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.
For 2015, we decided to try something new! Partnering organizations offered trainings and learning opportunities during the first hour of CEMC’s monthly meetings, which were followed by a community meetings where residents could find different ways to have a positive impact on their community and get involved with BACH. Attendees had 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. Also check out our Making Healthy Connections resource fairs to give residents the opportunity to learn more about BACH, healthy behaviors, and systemic issues that impact Bostonians.
For our 2016 cycle, we are offering 10 new and exciting monthly workshops. In an effort to promote more resident engagement, we are spearheading a “Passport to Public Health” theme. Each participant will receive a “passport” at their first attended meeting. They will then receive a stamp or sticker for each subsequent workshop they attend. We will also be hosting consecutive meetings in adjacent neighborhoods, making our way from one side of Boston to the other. Check out our 2016 schedule and be sure to join us on January 28th in Charlestown to kick off the year!
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.
Please stay tuned for our 2017 free public health CEMC programming.
2016 workshops below:
**Session 1: Stop the Stigma: The Intersection of Mental Health & Addiction**
Sarah Coughlin, LICSW and Director of the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition, will lead a discussion about the intersection between mental health and substance use disorders, adolescents vulnerability, and signs and symptoms to watch out for.
We will also be joined by Shannon Lundin, Community Health Worker, who will share her personal story with long-term recovery and discuss best practices for generating open communication with adolescents about substance use. Start 2016 off right—eliminate the stigma associated with mental health! FREE EVENT. DINNER PROVIDED.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Charlestown Boys and Girls Club
15 Green St, Charlestown, 02129
Download Stop the Stigma Flyer »
**Session 2: Survivors, Supporters and Shelters: Domestic Violence Panel**
Join us for an interactive and enriching panel discussion about the multi-faceted nature of domestic violence. We will be joined by a lawyer from the Greater Boston Legal Services, Family Law Unit; a Community Mental Health Clinician; a local shelter representative; and a staff member from a coalition that works with LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn about the legal, mental health, and safety components of domestic violence. Panelists will also discuss ways to support victims, how clinicians and lawyers can work together, and the specific challenges that LGBTQ victims face. All attendees will receive a legal resource list, free dinner, and the opportunity to win taxi vouchers in our raffle!
Thursday, February 25, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
East Boston Social Centers
68 Central Square, East Boston, 02128
Download Domestic Violence Panel Flyer »
**Session 3: Race, Resilience & Community Violence**
Thursday, March 24, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
United South End Settlements Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Avenue Boston, 02118
Download Race, Resilience and Community Violence Flyer »
**Session 4: Oh the Places You’ll Go…While Using Active Transportation**
Thursday, April 28, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us for our 4th Passport to Public Health Workshop! BACH and BPHC invite residents to a community discussion about the intersection between active transportation and air pollution in Chinatown. Join Stefanie Seskin, Active Transportation Director for the Boston Transportation Department, and Dr. Doug Brugge, Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health (CAFEH) Co-Chair, as they discuss the importance of active transportation; safety policies; bike lane design plans; and CAFEH findings regarding air pollution in Chinatown. For translation services, email Julia Healey at jhealey@hria.org. Register here.
Asian Community Development Corporation
38 Oak St. Boston MA, 02111
Download Oh The Places You’ll Go … While Using Active Transit Flyer »
**Session 5: Seniors Strong**
Thursday, May 26, 2016
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
BACH and BPHC invite you to learn about senior mental and physical health from Simmons College of Social Work Professor, Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW, and Healthy Community Champion, Norma Lawrence. Mr. Bailey will focus on psychological and psychiatric issues seniors face. Mrs. Lawrence will discuss how she built exercise into her life, and the importance of exercising the brain. A senior herself, she will also lead participants in chair yoga designed for seniors. For interpretation services, childcare, and to enter our taxi ride raffle email Julia Healey at jhealey@hria.org. Register here.
Laboure Centers
275 West Broadway St. South Boston
Download Seniors Strong! Flyer »
**Session 6: “The Talk:” Discussing Health & Sex With Your Teen**
Thursday, June 23, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join BACH and BPHC and our partners at Codman Square Neighborhood Council for the sixth workshop in our Passport to Public Health series. Darrus Sands of Men’s Health CREW will talk about the importance of sexual health education for young men. Lily Kofke of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts will discuss some of the challenges and effective strategies for talking to teens about sexual health. For interpretation services, childcare, and to enter our taxi ride raffle email Julia Healey at jhealey@hria.org. Register here.
Codman Square Health Center Great Hall
6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Session 7: Behind a Username: Online Safety Panel**
Thursday, July 28, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Roxbury
Session 8: Immigrant Rights & the Presidential Election**
Thursday, August 25, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Jamaica Plain
Session 9: Community Development through Home Ownership
Thursday, September 22, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join BACH and BPHC and our community partner, Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation, for the ninth workshop in our Passport to Public Health series. We will discuss how homeownership enriches neighborhoods, what the differences are between renting and owning, and the impacts of transient neighborhoods. For interpretation services, childcare, and to enter our taxi ride raffle, please email Julia Healey at jhealey@hria.org.
Register here. View our Facebook Event here.
Allston Brighton CDC, 20 Linden Street, Suite 288
Allston, MA 02134
**Session 10: Defining Masculinity & Men’s Health**
Thursday, October 27, 2016
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mattapan Community Health Center
1575 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan, Massachusetts 02126
Join BACH, BPHC, and our community partner, Mattapan Community Health Center, for the last Passport to Public Health workshop of the year! This workshop will explore what it means to define manhood & masculinity, consider the pressures men face, and discuss ways in which men are working to better themselves and their community. For interpretation services, childcare, and to enter our taxi ride raffle, please email Julia Healey at jhealey@hria.org.
Register Here. View the Facebook Event Here.
Topics covered in 2015 below:
**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 »
**Session 2: Stress Management**
Thursday, February 26, 2015
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Julia Martin House
90 Bickford Street, Boston, MA 02130
Download Stress Management Flyer »
**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 »
**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 »
**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 »
**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 »
**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 »
**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 ».
**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