Save the Date! SCC Annual Meeting | Feb 9
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Please save the date for:
SCC's 46th Annual Meeting
Tuesday, February 9th | 5:30-8:30
Arts at the Armory, Somerville
Stay tuned for more details!
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Join the Social Equity Campaign Donate & Double Your Impact
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The
Social Equity Campaign is SCC's initiative to ensure Somerville remains accessible to its diverse population. There are many changes coming, and it is our goal
that people of all incomes can benefit from these new amenities.
A donation to SCC through the state's CITC program will not only be matched, but you'll get 50% back in your pockets.
What is CITC?
CITC is a tax credit designed to attract support for Community Development Corporations, like SCC, and to help increase the scale of their impact.
Contributors who give at least $1,000 are eligible for a refundable tax credit 50% the value of their donation.
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Thank You for #GivingTuesday
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In the spirit of the holidays, SCC participated in the second Somerville Giving Tuesday fundraising and event on December 1st, along with 13 other Somerville nonprofits.
We would like to thank all those who donated, supported, and attended this years' #GivingTuesdaySomerville event at the Armory!
This year was a successful effort on behalf of the Somerville nonprofit community and we look forward to working with our partners next year.
If you weren't able to make it but would still like to donate, you can make a check out to Groundwork Somerville, this year's fiscal sponsor. Send the check noted for "Giving Tuesday" to SCC or to Groundwork Somerville, at 24 Park Street #7, Somerville 02143.
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First Time Homebuyer Class
Next Class Begins January 20
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Our next First-Time Homebuyer Class: Monday & Wednesday |
January 20-28
6:00-9:00pm
This 12-hour program will feature presentations by a real estate agent, a lender, a home inspector, a real estate attorney, and an insurance agent, in addition to SCC staff, providing everything you need to know before you start the process of buying your first home.
Upon completion, participants receive a certificate enabling them to access products geared towards first-time homebuyers, such as the
ONE Mortgage.
Participants must:
- Pre-register
- Attend all 4 sessions
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Register for Online Course
SCC is now offering THE ROAD HOME, an online homebuyer training!
The majority of the course is done in one's own time, but participants must attend one in-person session at the Somerville Community Corporation. This session is 2 hours long and is held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The course is $100 per individual.
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Sign-Up Today for Leadership Development Institute
Saturdays | Feb 20 - Mar 12
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It's time to start getting ready for our
9th annual Leadership Development Institute (LDI)!
Every spring, we bring together a group of active and emerging leaders to learn the basics of Somerville politics, relationship-building, campaign power, and leadership development. LDI is a great way to strengthen relationships with other community members and get involved in ongoing campaigns for social justice.
LDI will take place on the following four Saturday mornings:
- February 20;
- February 27;
- March 5; and
- March 12, 2016.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
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Our numerous groups and committees meet regularly and are open to newcomers!
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Click on the calendar below to learn more about meetings and events coming up:
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It's been a busy couple of months. So busy, in fact, that we're combining November and December news into this issue of SCC Happenings. Union United Coalition continues to fight for a true Community Benefits Agreement in Union Square, while the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee is influencing policy decisions around inclusionary zoning. It was a banner month for First Source, with brand new funding to support our work around career services for local residents.
We are proud of the work that we do, and we wouldn't be able to do it without the generous support of you, our members and contributors. As we approach the year end, we hope you are inspired by our ever evolving programs, campaigns, and advocacy efforts to make Somerville the best it can be for
all of its residents.
You are SCC. You can Make a Difference.
From all of us at SCC, thank you for your support.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
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All Talk but No CBA (yet) for Union Square
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There's a lot of talk about community benefits with the Union Square redevelopment, but
Union United is standing firm to say that a real CBA has to be inclusive, transparent, and accountable.
On November 18, LOCUS (a group of developers and investors that the City hired to run a public benefits process) held an 8-hour meeting inside City Hall. While Union United had 4 members participating in the meeting, we wanted to make clear that the public benefits process doesn't replace a CBA controlled by the community! We held a sing-out for a CBA outside City Hall, with musical support from the
Second Line Brass Band and other local musicians.
As the City attempts to contain community involvement within the public benefits process, Union United is continuing to build a diverse base of leaders, a testament to the importance of preventing displacement to preserve the strong community that we have here in Somerville and putting community decision-making before developer profit.
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Union United Sing-Out outside City Hall on November 18 to advocate for a true CBA
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We're Almost There
Help Us Reach our Year-End Goal for Social Equity
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We are getting closer to our campaign goal by the minute. To date we have raised:
$141,000 toward
our year-end goal of $200,000!
We are exceedingly thankful to our generous donors. Through the
Community Investment Tax Credit tool, anyone who contributes at least $1,000 to SCC is eligible for the 50% state tax credit (credit against the liability, or cash if there is no liability), and also count this toward a charitable donation on your federal taxes -- a win-win!
Your contributions have a notable impact.
We are committed to making sure more people have access to affordable housing; Somerville residents are connected to local job opportunities; and community residents have a place where they can join others to make important changes in Somerville.
Thank you to all of our generous 2015 donors:
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Cassandra Arnaud
Maria Balestrieri
Fred Berman and Lori Segall
Nancy Bernhard and David Margolin
Boston Private Bank
Cambridge Savings
Ed Cashwell
Mary Cassesso
Cathartes Private Investments
Ilene Cohen
Curtis Construction
William Daniels
Davis Square Architects
Dellbrook Construction
East Cambridge Savings
Janine Fay
Timothy Finn
Dennis and Rona Fischman
Ezra Glenn
Mark Goldberg
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Todd Kaplan
Klein-Hornig
Allan and Ellen Isbitz
Timothy Lenicheck
MA Housing Investment Corporation
Diane Masters
Kathleen McCormick
Kathleen McGilvray
Daniel and Tammy McKanan
John Moeling
Max Morrow
Joseph Procopio
Anne L. Quaadgrass
Kevin Regan
Rockland Trust
Ellen Shachter
Rita Schwantes
Jacob Taylor
Winn Development
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Let's keep Somerville diverse and affordable.
Every contribution gets us closer to our social equity goals for Somerville.
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AHOC Presents Inclusionary Zoning Proposal to City
Hundreds of Residents Show Support
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Over the summer, AHOC members gathered more than 500 signatures in support of 20% affordable housing requirements in new buildings, with preference for Somerville residents at risk of displacement and just-cause eviction protections in place. This means that new development will have to respect Somerville's diversity, instead of pushing people out.
Last week, the Planning Board and Land Use Committee held a public hearing on our proposal. Many thanks to everyone who came - it showed that affordable housing is an urgent priority for many Somerville residents. We had over 30 people testify in support, and nearly 100 people packed the room, including several of our aldermen and school committee members who voiced their support for the proposal. Check out photos from the hearing on Facebook!
If you couldn't make it last week, it's not too late to make your voice heard! The Planning Board and Board of Aldermen will be accepting written comments until February 11, 2016. All written comments should be sent to planning@somervillema.gov and cityclerk@somervillema.gov.
AHOC Members testify in support of equitable inclusionary zoning policies
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First Source Jobs Program
Selected for Prestigious Grants
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SCC Accepting its SkillWork Award with Boston Mayor Walsh on Nov 18
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On
November 18th, at an event at Boston City Hall,
Mayor Martin J. Walsh,
Boston Foundation President & CEO Paul S. Grogan, and Peter Scher, Head of
Corporate Responsibility for JPMorgan Chase & Co, announced more than $1.2 million in new investments for training and workforce development through the
SkillWorks program, including $350,000 from the city of Boston, $400,000 from the Boston Foundation and $500,000 from JPMorgan Chase.
SCC was proud to be among the group of recipients for this prestigious grant. We received $60,000 for our First Source Jobs program, which among other things, will help us expand our reach to businesses and employers as we continue to build bridges between job seekers and employers.
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Brandeis LiftUp presenting SCC with funding
to support the First Source Program
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Additionally, on
December 1st, SCC
was awarded $5,000 from LiftUp, a Brandeis University student led project that will fund First Source program laptops and a computer instructor to assist clients with their job search.
We appreciate this support and look forward to investing in our community.
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F
irst Source News & Upcoming Events
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Beyond Resume Writing, Interviewing Practice, and Workplace Communication Skill Building workshops held throughout November and December,
First Source held a construction job fair with
Dellbrook Construction to assist with HUD Section 3 hiring needs on 181 Washington Street Project. 11 community members attended, including several First Source clients who applied for the open positions.
If you are interested in the anticipated openings, drop by SCC to fill out an application.
First Source had a great 2015, expanding its programs to sup
port the growing demand for services. With new funding and new partnerships, we are anticipating continued growth in 2016.
If you are a Somerville resident looking to pick up some practical career building skills, consider learning more about the First Source, and the upcoming opportunities we have available.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
First Source Interviewing Skills Workshop
January 12th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Do you have a hard time getting ready for a job interview? Is it difficult for you to answer the interview questions with confidence and assertiveness? This workshop offered by a professional in career development will help you to feel more prepared. Join us!
Registration Required
First Source Computer Skills Workshop
Fridays, January 22nd - February 5th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Looking to brush up on your computer skills, or learn it altogether? Do you want help on the job or to get the job you want? Come join The Career Place and First Source in this valuable 3-part series. This workshop will be held Friday mornings, 10am - 12pm, at the Haitian Coalition through February 5th.
Registration Required
For all workshops, childcare and interpretation services in Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole will be provided upon request.
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First Source Employer Highlight
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| Ajit Pokhrel, First Source Member since May 2015, is now a full-time Billing Associate at Vinfen |
Ajit Pokhrel joined the First Source Program in May of 2015. He received assistance with writing his resume
and cover letter, picked up job search and interview skills, and even received direct employer referrals by being part of the program. Ajit is a model First Source client; he communicated regularly with his career coach and never missed a weekly appointment. Ajit is now gainfully employed at Vinfen as a full-time Billing Associate and continues to receive post placement support as needed.
"I'm very happy. I love my job.
The program changed my life."
-Ajit Pokhrel
An Interview with Ajit's about First Source
What have you learned about Job Search since entering First Source?
I didn't know about the whole process about finding a job here. I learned about the program through a summer camp. I called and talked to Jorge and met with him a few times before I started working with you.
How did the First Source program help you?
I don't have any words to express how much this program helped me. It changed my life. I was able to reach my target of working in my field again and getting a better job. I'm very happy with this program.
What was most helpful to you?
The most important things that helped me was the interview practice, weekly meetings, and the jobs board on the website.
What have you done independently to improve your job search?
The most important thing was reviewing job references, researching the company, and using the skills I picked up to prepare for the interview.
What advice would you give to fellow First Source jobs seekers?
You should come to career sessions ready to learn, engage with your peers, work hard, and practice.
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