CRLSstrong     AND THE  MARATHON DAY BOMBINGS




Cambridge, Mass. -- The CRLSstrong Community Gathering (twitter: #CRLSstrong) will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Joan Lorentz Park on the corner of Ellery Street and Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138.




In the aftermath of the Marathon Day bombings,  all of us continue to grieve for those who died and their families and those who were seriously injured and their families. The resiliency of the community is remarkable but, even on these spring days, there is a strong chill in the air due to these events.

For many people in Cambridge, these events have come very close to home. For our neighbors, family members were seriously hurt. Others have friends who were affected.

Especially for young people, the fact that one of the bombers was a a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School community, a very highly regarded recent graduate, is shocking. After this news spread over night, our children, and those of other friends, called early in the morning to report the news in case we had not heard. Classmates and teachers of the suspect expressed dismay and even disbelief -- having known him is a responsible,  friendly, smart person.

CRLS is known for its diversity and the learning experience that comes from going to school with people of many backgrounds. Sure there are cliques as there are among teenagers and we do not think of it as Utopia  There are plenty of challenges and difficulties there. But we in Cambridge do think of CRLS as a community that fosters learning and personal growth.

So this has been a time of sadness for many here in Cambridge.

Thus on Sunday, there will be a gathering to show the strength of community around Cambridge rindge and Latin School.  

BE SHOCKED   --   FAMILY HOMELESSNESS IN MA
   


The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute came out with a report today that documents how badly low-income homeless families are being treated in Massachusetts. I worked on this issue when I was in the Legislature. While there are some positive, though underfunded, efforts underway to provide longer term housing, these efforts are far from assuring that all families have a roof over their heads.

The safety net has more than frayed in this period of recession in which family situations are tougher for more families. It has large holes.

I am particularly concerned about the children in these families. We now have research that shows the enormously negative impact that great stress has on the brains of young children. Continued stress is toxic and this is a life time impact on the brain and life of these children.

Read the report:

http://www.mlri.org/uploads/12/fc/12fc1058ba4fdb3d0d4883d082aed86d/Out-in-the-Cold-FINAL.pdf

VULNERABLE FAMILIES: PLATFORM PLANKS FOR DEMOCRATS

Alice K. Wolf

48 Huron Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone (617) 868 - 9653 E-mail Alicekwolf@gmail.com www.alicewolf.org

MA Democratic platform hearing – Cambridge –April 6 2013

PROPOSED PLATFORM PLANKS RELATED TO LOW-INCOME, AT RISK FAMILIES

Supporting the lives of low-income families at risk through appropriate financial support and by providing assistance to exit this status is basic to Democratic values. This is an imperative for humane reasons and also ultimately impacts the economic future of the Commonwealth. This is especially true regarding the manner in which State policy impacts poor children.

1.    Improve the economic stability of low-income households by recognizing the enormous loss in buying power of welfare grants over the last 25 years and increasing those grants; supporting increased education and training and transportation assistance for those able potentially to move from welfare to work; and providing adequate staffing and technology to improve the TAFDC system.

2.    Move more rapidly toward the goal of a permanent roof over the heads of families who are now homeless, while maintaining the fall back of homeless shelters for families including those who are at imminent risk of having to stay in places not meant for human habitation.

3.    Recognizing that research now shows that the early years are critical in successful education for all children, but especially those who have some of the risk factors of poverty, instability or trauma in family life, or disabilities, assure that high quality, early education and care opportunities are available for all children who are at risk.

MORE ON THE VALUE AND NEED FOR EARLY EDUCATION

ECONOMIC SCENE Studies Highlight Benefits of Early Education BY EDUARDO PORTER Some economists say the government should focus on programs for infants and toddlers, which may be better at reducing inequalities between the rich and the poor.

Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://nyti.ms/16uFmdB