GenUnity

Last month,  Governor Healey signed the FY25 budget and included the House and Senate’s recommendation for $2.5 million to launch an Access to Counsel pilot program to provide lawyers for low-income tenants facing eviction, an investment proven to decrease housing instability and homelessness. As a Program Support Coordinator at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Karina Sumano, MA, MPP (Healthy Equity ‘24) continually learns about state-level public policy and coalition-building. Karina is deeply committed to advocating for reproductive health and birthing justice, and uses her platform at MLRI to advocate for health equity in the state of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute addresses public and institutional policies that contribute to or perpetuate the cycle of poverty. They ensure that low-income and underserved populations receive the same legal protections, rights, and liberties as all members of society. Additionally, they equip local legal services providers and community-based advocacy organizations with the expertise, technical assistance, and support they need to best serve their clients. Fun facts about Karina: 🌞 Karina is originally from Northern California 🎓 Karina has a dual Master’s Degree in Gender & Cultural Studies and Public Policy 🗣 She is bilingual speaking both english and spanish Learn more about MLRI or read their press release about the Access to Counsel Pilot Program via LINK IN COMMENTS.

In this month’s newsletter, we’re sharing: ✨ Bright Spots for Local Small Businesses and Nonprofits 🌁 In honor of Black Business Month, Black Businesses to Support Year Round 📢 Nonprofit Job Listings 💁♀️ Networking Events and Resources for Nonprofit Professionals 📔 Local Volunteer Opportunities 📚 Book Recommendations Centered on Self Reflection and Growth GenUnity Lifetime Community Member Updates and Opportunities

This past spring, Lifetime Community members, Daphnee Puryear, Stacy Hill-Sutherland, Justice Williams and Elizabeth Auguste, received Pilot Grants of up to $2,000 to fund a community initiative of their choosing. Now that they’ve officially been working on their community projects for a couple months, we’re excited to share a little more info on what we have to look forward to when they share their 6-month update in December. Interested in getting involved with GenUnity? Keep an eye out for our Spring ‘25 Fellowships Application launch coming early September.

Check out our first edition of our Philanthropic Partner Spotlight series! BIG thank you to Wagner Foundation for their unwavering support of our work 🤗

WE DID IT! The Maternal Health Omnibus Bill is on its way to Gov. Healey’s desk! For too long, we’ve heard that rates of severe mortality and morbidity for black women are worsening, but the legislature took a bold step to tackle these racial inequities by passing the birth justice bill, which represents the voices and experiences of those most impacted. We are taking a crucial step forward in tackling the Black maternal health crisis by expanding prenatal, postpartum, mental health, midwifery, & doula care, while enabling growth of birth centers across the Commonwealth! #masenate #mapoli #secondsuffolkstrongertogether #leadwithliz

Take advantage of the last couple week's of summer with Highland Street Foundation's exciting August Adventures calendar!!

🎒 📒 🍂 ‘Tis the season! Keeping up with new grade level requirements, summer break growth spurts, and the latest trends, can make annual back to school shopping a MAJOR expense for parents. With Fall fast approaching we wanted to highlight some local organizations supporting families with yearly challenge. Interested in supporting? Check out the LINK IN COMMENTS for more information about each of the listed organizations. Know more organizations supporting back to school drives? Provide the links to our community in the comment section!

📢 CALLING ALL LIFETIME COMMUNITY MEMBERS! Last night, we had the first meeting of the Andrew Dreyfus Impact Incubator! Participants gathered on Zoom to begin discussing change--its challenges and its opportunities--as well as launch into planning the project they'll be working on this month. We talked about vision and mission, and heard about the world our participants want to see--a more equitable, just, and hopeful world, a world they will help create through their dedication to change. Additionally, we wanted to announce another opportunity to get involved with our community coming up next month! GenUnity is collaborating with the City of Boston | Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement to host a mixer between our Lifetime Community and the alumni network of Immigrants Lead Boston, and we'll be discussing civic engagement beyond voting. It's on 9/17, 6-8 PM at 1 City Hall Sq. Register for the event at the LINK IN COMMENTS. More details will be shared in the coming weeks!

The new school year is just around the corner, and that means shopping for school supplies. You can equip our students for success by contributing toward high-quality, comprehensive school supply kits. To learn more about our Back to School Drive and equip students for a successful year, visit https://lnkd.in/ea8r7AYm

Hear from ADRIANA RAINES, M Ed. (Housing Justice '23) about growing up in Jamaica Plain, following in her mother's footsteps and what her GenUnity experience was able to offer her!