Dear Erin,

As the summer sun sets, it's time to close the chapter on those carefree days and gear up for the excitement that awaits us in the new school year. Remember, if you need any help our office is always here to make sure you are ready for a successful school year.

Enjoy these last days of summer and I hope to see you out in the neighborhoods as we continue to show up and listen to the residents of Boston.

Best,

MURPHY HAILS NEXT STEP FOR HARVARD STREET  HEALTH CENTER

Pushes for Grove Hall food pantry program creation

At-Large Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy praised a significant milestone for the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, which received approval to expand along the Blue Hill Avenue corridor from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, opening new growth opportunities for the community anchor.

Murphy said she hoped the agency’s approval would provide impetus for the city to move forward with creating the health center’s Healthy Food Pantry Program. 

“Our community health centers are the backbone of our public health system, and we are fortunate that the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center has long been an anchor in the Grove Hall neighborhood,” said Murphy. “They are a model for providing veterans, and their families, with access to much needed benefits such as behavioral health treatment. Introducing a Healthy Food Pantry Program, as the center has sought, would allow it to increase its level of service to people in that area, and provide yet another community health benefit.”

Participated in the Roxbury/South End community meeting on Zoom, and the in person meeting at the Condon School, where the administration shared possible changes to Mass & Cass policies.

We have a Public Health Emergency that is escalating and we need to change how we are responding to the ongoing tragedy of substance use disorder, mental illness, open use of illegal drugs, violence, criminality, and disturbance of urban life that has gone on for far too long. 

A recent proposal to relocate clinical services and add a shelter at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Albany Street would continue adding to the undue burden already shouldered by the South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. In truth, the root causes of what has become the central problem of a concentrated handful of neighborhoods lie far outside Boston, but the intersection of Mass and Cass, and the surrounding area, has borne the toll.

The “Mass and Cass” situation is worsening, not improving. Data maintained by the City of Boston reflects a 57% increase from June 2023 to July 2023 in the number of people who received substance use treatment. In January of 2022, there were 76 BPD incident reports; for the week of August 13, 2023, there were 170 such reports. Outside health care providers have pulled out of the area over safety concerns to their employees. Businesses are suffering, youth activity programs have been jeopardized, and our first responders are subject to dangerous conditions that exceed what should reasonably be expected of people already performing difficult jobs.

I joined the Andrew Square residents, business leaders, Captian Boyle from C-6 and colleagues in government to discuss safety and health concerns they have in their neighborhood. We need to work together to help tackle these issues.

Murphy Says Lifeguard Job Fair Reminds Of

Need For Pool Preparedness

With 10 of the city’s 18 pools still closed, the city’s late-summer lifeguard hiring events point to the need for better advance planning to ensure people are able to enjoy the public pools during the hot summer months, Boston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy said Wednesday.

“I’m encouraged that we’re giving Boston residents the opportunity to apply for lifeguard jobs,” Murphy said. “But the last few days of August really aren’t the time to be planning for adequate preparedness for some of our most popular public spaces. Kids in Dorchester and Mattapan have gone all summer without being able to jump in a public pool, and we know that swimming lessons at a young age are crucial to limiting the risk of drowning deaths. The city owes these kids – not to mention taxpayers – better preparedness than a lifeguard job fair with a few days left in summer.”

Murphy called in February for a public hearing on ensuring the pools would be open. When the hearing was held in early March, Murphy said, “I just want to make sure we’re working together and we’re going to see that this summer is not leaving any communities out.”

City Council Unity Walk

Thank you Rakiem, and Family and Friends Living Healthy FFLH, for dedicating your weekly walk at Franklin Park for a City Council Unity Walk. Thank you Christine O’Donnell and Frank Baker’s office for joining us to help embrace unity and our common goal of bettering Boston!

Great to start my morning on the air with Larry Ellison and the MAMLEO round table, talking about issues that matter most to constituents across the City. Safety, good schools and access to training and good jobs.

Interns Visit City Hall and the State House

Honored to have State Representative David Biele’s Legislative Aid, Karen and Intern, Rohan join us at City Hall for a tour. Our favorite stop was theBPDA Model Room, where we could find notable landmarks throughout the City of Boston. Thank you for joining us at City Hall Karen and Rohan.

Thank you to State Representative John Moran and Representative David Biele for bringing Team Murphy Interns on a tour of the State House! They really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot.

Thank you to Councilor Mejia for welcoming in our youth who participated in summer programs across the City.

West Roxbury Business Association D6 Candidate Forum

Happy Caribbean Festival weekend! We kicked it off with a breakfast at City Hall.

Dominican Republic Independence Day was a festive celebration.

Celebrating the 77th Indian Independence Day at City Hall.

There is a Primary Election on September 12th for Districts 3, 5, 6 and 7. If you live in these distrcits, please get out and VOTE. Mail in Voting has already begun and there will be Early Voting taking place Saturday, September 2nd, through Friday, September 8th at certain locations across the City. Please check out the link below for more information. The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 7th!

MURPHY CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL SUMMER

FOR YOUTH JOBS

Councilor Erin Murphy on Friday congratulated and thanked all the Boston teens who took part in the city’s summer jobs program this year, saving special thanks for the six who worked in her office through the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment. 

“We were incredibly fortunate to have seven talented, dedicated young people in our office this summer, six through the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment, and the city was better for it,” Murphy said. “They got to know the inner workings of city government, and they gave back. Our team answered calls to the 311 hotline and followed up on them, attended community events, and helped with food distribution. It was a busy summer for us all, and all of them contributed in a big way.”

Councilor Murphy filed a hearing order in January “to discuss the results of last year's youth summer jobs programs and the social emotional benefits of summer employment.” The order sought to break down barriers to summer employment and help youngsters connect to city government and apply for jobs.

Always lovely to see the Strickland's!

I can see why Boston Magazine named Chinatown’s August Moon Celebration the Best Festival in Boston. I was proud to celebrate the 53rd annual with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. It was spectacular, with dancing dragons, street vendors, arts and crafts, performances, and of course super delicious food. 



Here’s the secret to Boston that many newcomers have trouble with at first: We are a City of Neighborhoods. From the street hockey tourney in Charlestown to the next saint’s feast parade in the North End to any random summer afternoon at Sullivan's on the Sugar Bowl, the REAL life of Boston happens in every Neighborhood in Boston. That is why you will always find me in the neighborhoods, talking with the residents and business owners.

Congratulations to the CCBA for organizing the 53rd Annual August Moon Festival. Council President Flynn and I had a wonderful time celebrating the culture and richness of our Chinese community.

T. Michael Thomas is a coppersmith, metalsmith and designer. He designs extraordinary copper jewelry made from recycled copper and is the founder and director of The People's Academy, Inc. I visited him when his artwork was displayed at the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront.

Had a great time at the Hewins Street Block Party. Great conversation and a fun time with Dorchester neighbors. Thank you Brain and Chris Worrell for hosting.

Joined Father Currie, neighbors and C11 police officers for the Tuesday Night Peace Walk. Thank you for bringing the community together.

Always love to stop by Sugar Bowl Cafe for great food and conversation!

The new design for Fenelon Park's Basketball Court is complete! Kaiya Santos, who is a 19-year-old Northeastern Student, painted her winning design artwork.

Joined Senator Markey and EPA Administrator Michael Regan for a press conference celebrating the launch of the national clean financing network, based on his National Climate Bank legislation.

Dominican Parade and Kiddie Carnival

Fun time celebrating at the Dominican Parade and the Kiddie Carnival at White Stadium.

Great to see Councilor Breadon at the Allston-Brighton Open Streets.

Charter St Park is a beautiful pocket park in the North End. We need more of these mini sanctuaries across the City. What would your neighborhood do with some of the small city owned lots that are too small to build on? 

Celebrating St. Anthony's Feast in the North End.

My favorite stop when I am in Charlestown is to JK at the Red Store!

I am enjoying the Dog Days of Summer along the campaign trail. 🐶🐾

Fun time at the Bo Classic at Titus Park.

Listened to the candidates for D6 at the West Roxbury Business Candidate Forum answer questions from residents. Stay informed and make sure you VOTE!

Thank you Rev. Daley, and Ms. Shirley, for inviting me to the Caribbean Week Ecumenical Service.

This year's Ollie Palooza was a big hit for the kids!

BHA Unity Day was a wonderful time spent with residents and neighbors.

Proud to support Adopt-A-Pole at North Suffolk Community Services in East Boston during Overdose Awareness month. Thank you to my colleagues in government, East Boston Health Center, Shannon and Chapters Recovery Center for fighting the stigma and supporting the survivors of fatal overdoses.

I joined AutoDesk for their Student & Teacher Showcase at Wentworth Institute. Thank you to the Boston Public Schools, ACE Mentor, YouthBuild and BHCC teachers and students for presenting the work they did over the summer.

Walnut Park Ribbon Cutting

Team Murphy joined Roxbury residents, and the Boston Police recruits, at Walnut Park for the ribbon cutting of the newly improved park!

Congratulations Mr. Peter, and Peking House, for serving the Roxbury community for 36 years.

Thank you to the Pastor Dickerson and the Peace, Love, & Hope Gospel Fest for spreading love and much needed school supplies for students goig back to school.

The Roxbury Sunflower Project 🌻

The Roxbury Sunflower Project is a community-wide, collaborative initiative by artist Ekua Holmes that aims to bring nature, beauty, and color to Roxbury in unloved and un-cared for lots or in private gardens and yards.
“This project is a seed of love for Roxbury, its geography, its historical struggles, victories over displacement, over being ignored, and also to say that the power of art can make change.”— Ekua Holmes

In recognition of Black Breastfeeding Week, we attended the Gallery Walk Event that showcased the new Mamava lactation pod in the Bolling building, and the launch of Love for Latch, a campaign to support and celebrate breastfeeding among Black women in Boston.  

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Carnival Parade! Thank you Ms. Shirley. and all the Board Members, for organizing a day of celebration in the Caribbean community!🇹🇹🇯🇲🇧🇧

Love when I get to have conversations with my friend Wally Mambo when I visit the North End. Buongiorno dall'estremità nord 🇮🇹

Happy 100th Birthday Yolanda! We loved helping you celebrate your big day!

Play 4 Peace 🏀

Thank you Boston PAL, Boston Police and the Elisha Project for another great Play 4 Peace 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at Harambee Park.

This year's Ollie Palooza was a BLAST for the kids! So much summer fun with our South Boston neighbors!

Thank you to our Boston Police, and all our first responders, who are working today at Carnival. Team Murphy appreciates you!

Great to see Connie, and the Boston Fire Department, in Chinatown at the Augst Moon Festival.

Community Service Officers at the Bo Classic at Titus Park!

Celebrating Yolanda's 100th birthday with the veterans from the Fitzgerald Post. Thank you Yolanda for your service in the US Coast Guard. 🇺🇸

As the Chair of Veteran Services, I was proud to attend the rededication of the 1st Lt. James O. Conway Hero Square in East Boston.

Team Murphy was proud to attend the Edward J. Hogan Square Dedication in Brighton. As the Chair of Veteran Services, it is our duty to honor those who have served fro our country.

Painters And Allied Trades DC 35

MURPHY CLAIMS MAJOR FIRST RESPONDER ENDORSEMENTS

Boston’s four major first responder unions announced their support Thursday for City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy’s candidacy for a second term, each individually endorsing her in a show of confidence in Murphy’s record of prioritizing public safety and working collaboratively with her fellow city workers.

Boston Firefighters Local 718, the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association, the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation, and the EMS Division of the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association all threw their weight behind Murphy, calling her a champion of public safety for all Bostonians and a stalwart ally of working families.

In addition to the four city unions, Murphy claimed the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, the statewide union that represents more than 12,000 members, including EMTs. 

“Councilor Murphy has put the safety of the people of Boston first since she took office two years ago, and the city is a safer place to live because of her work,” said PFFM President Rich MacKinnon. “She’s a reliable voice for working families, she does the hard work, and we look forward to continuing working with her in her second term.”



Murphy said the support of people who, like her, work to keep the city safe has special meaning.

LAWN SIGNS