News and Resources

Boston Children's Chorus

Muriel Heiberger,
Executive Director

P: 617 778 2242

The Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) is a new, multi-racial, multi-ethnic arts education organization that brings together a diverse group of children ages 7-15 from urban and suburban neighborhoods to discover the power of singing together and to serve as ambassadors for their city. Founded in 2003 by Hubie Jones, BCC aims to build a world-class children's chorus that will perform at major events locally, as well as on tour nationally and internationally. BCC seeks to open opportunities for all children, especially those at-risk and underserved, to receive the highest quality music education and performance experiences that will teach them the analytical, creative, communication, leadership and teamwork skills needed to excel in all future life endeavors. Additionally, BCC is determined to make a significant contribution to the social integration of Boston's many diverse groups, bringing together children, families, and communities to sing and celebrate, develop relationships, and break down social barriers.

Boston Health Care & Research Training Institute

Sarah Griffen,
Director

P: 617 522 2424

The Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute is a multi-employer collaboration that is breaking new ground in helping low-income workers advance by building career pathways that lead to higher skills and greater economic opportunities. The Training Institute is providing multiple levels of training and education, individualized coaching, and other supports to more than 500 entry-level workers and low-income residents of the Boston neighborhoods that are adjacent to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area. Ranging from community health centers to prestigious teaching hospitals, the Training Institute's eleven employer partners represent 35 percent of health care and research employment in Boston - the city's most important economic sector - and share staffing challenges including filling areas of critical staffing such as nursing, as well as the need to maintain high retention rates. Turning these needs into opportunities, the Training Institute takes a "win-win" approach that helps both employers and employees. Health care and research institutions gain skilled workers, provide better care and improve their bottom line; workers advance into stable, higher skilled positions with higher wages that allow their families to thrive.

Close to Home

Aimee Thompson,
Executive Director

P: 617 929 5151

Close to Home is a resident-driven domestic violence prevention and community organizing campaign based in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. What sets Close to Home apart from other domestic violence initiatives is the priority it places on the involvement of family, friends, and neighbors in responding to domestic violence - a simple and direct approach to unraveling a very complicated problem. Close to Home strategically engages the strengths of social networks and values and trusts community members' ability to develop safe, meaningful, and effective responses to domestic violence in their own neighborhoods. Close to Home also works nationally to advocate for and train stakeholders to implement its social network prevention model.

Harbinger Partners

Theresa Ellis,
Executive Director

P: (617) 492-3105

Harbinger Partners works as a bridge between community-based nonprofits and leading local or national companies. Through its innovative model, Harbinger Partner connects the resources of the for-profit sector (for-profit employees who have expertise in information technology) to the expertise of the nonprofit sector (a deep understanding of the community's needs and ways to address these needs). Harbinger Partners has had significant success to date, creating a model that yields a 3:1 return on investment, with for-profit partners that include Cisco Systems, Fidelity Investments and State Street Global Advisors.

Rediscovery House

Arden O'Connor,
Executive Director

P: 617 290 9818

Rediscovery House is a group home and independent living program for adolescent males who are aging out of state custody. Unique to most group homes, Rediscovery House offers an integrated continuum of services above and beyond those provided by the state. In a nurturing and empowering environment, clients are engaged in focused educational, vocational and clinical programming aimed at positioning them to be self-sufficient as they transition into adulthood.

Viet-AID

Nhan Paul TonThat,
Executive Director

P: 617 822 3717

Viet-AID is the only community development corporation founded and operated by Vietnamese immigrants in the United States. Viet-AID's mission is to integrate Vietnamese immigrants into American culture, community, and the local economy to reduce poverty, social isolation and alienation. Massachusetts has the 4th largest Vietnamese community in the United States. Half of the 20,000 Vietnamese living in the Greater Boston area reside in Dorchester, where Viet-AID is based. Viet-AID has a holistic strategy that: (1) promotes neighborhood and community building; (2) fosters economic development; (3) increases the supply of affordable housing; and (4) advances youth and adult leadership development and civic engagement for people in the Vietnamese community. Viet-AID is breaking new ground with its first of its kind, Vietnamese Community Center and Small Business Cooperative program.