Friday, March 19, 2010
Why I Want to Do a Second Year of Service
It is the middle of March as I write this entry. Around this time, we as AmeriCorps States have to start thinking about what we plan to do next year. Some of us are going back to school. Others are looking for more permanent job opportunities. I am in neither of these categories. What appeals to me is doing a second year of service at Generations Incorporated. For me, this was an easy decision. In my eyes, one year of service does not fully allow me to showcase my skills or understand the gravity of what is happening in the schools of Boston.
By doing a second year of service, I will be able to apply the skills I picked up throughout my first year right away at the sites I am assigned to. This will allow for the programs to be set up sooner and create the opportunity for more kids to be served. Having seen the struggles of the students in both my school and after school programs, I believe that doing a second year of service will allow me to have even more of an impact on the students of Boston. Everyday I have students running up to me at my sites asking if they can read with Generations. To me, this is more then them wanting to get out of class. I see kids who genuinely want to learn to read, but don’t have the support they need to do this. I feel it is my duty as a human being to do whatever I can to give these kids as much help and support as possible in their quest to read. One year of service in my eyes is not enough of a commitment to these kids. I want to see them progress over more than the span of a year. Throughout my year of service, I have grown very attached to the kids. It is only fair that I give back to them what they have given me.
Jason Horowitz is an AmeriCorps member at Generations Inc. You can contact him at jhorowitz@generationsinc.org.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Photo of the Week- March 18, 2010
Thanks for joining us for Après at Kingston Station last night! It was a successful event because of friends & supporters like YOU!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Show Us Your Culture Potluck
Potlucks are not new to the Generations Incorporated family, so this time we decided to unite our culinary skills with an array of cultural backgrounds. Culture is something that is vibrantly expressed in all of the communities that we serve. Since our day was dedicated to the fusion of cultural diversity and art, we thought it best to combine forces and treat one another to a buffet of delicious cuisine inspired by our own family recipes. In the spirit of “show and tell,” we put our hunger on hold to gather in a circle and share the significance of each dish.
Many of us travelled from all over the United States for our service year, leaving our families and friends to embark on this experience. This gave us an opportunity to share an edible piece of our family history.
Maddie Kiuttu and Molly Dutter are AmeriCorps members at Generations Inc. You can contact them at mkiuttu@generationsinc.org and mdutter@generationsinc.org, respectively.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
School Reform in Boston Long Overdue
Dr. Carol Johnson is taking very bold, dramatic action to turn around under-performing schools in Boston. She has spent two years listening, observing, meeting with parents, teachers, community groups, business leaders, and students. She has been thoughtful, careful, strategic. And now she is ready to lay down the law. Generations Incorporated fully supports her.
At the end of the day, too many students are not getting the education and the opportunity that they need and deserve. For any community, especially Boston, this is a shame. MCAS scores have improved but are still low. Nearly 70% of 4th graders are not proficient in English Language Arts. We are failing as a community in this regard.
The Superintendent, Mayor Menino, and leaders from across the Commonwealth led the effort for education reform at the State House. Superintendents now have authority and flexibility to turn around the lowest performing schools. Last month, Massachusetts submitted its application for the highly competitive Race to the Top (RTT) funding now available from the US Department of Education. If we are one of the winners, more resources will become available. Be sure that rigid accountability will accompany the dollars.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Live to be 100?
Dr. Thomas Perls, Director of The New England Centenarian Study wants to help you get there, healthy & happy. Learn more about his work in this recent Time Magazine article, click here to read it. Dr. Perls will be speaking on March 25th at the Social Innovation Forum’s breakfast: “Healthy Aging: Fostering Vibrant Lifestyles Among Adults 60+.” Generations Incorporated is the 2010 Social Innovator in Healthy Aging.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Social Issue Breakfast: Healthy Aging: Fostering Vibrant Lifestlyes Among Adults 60+
Title: Social Issue Breakfast: Healthy Aging: Fostering Vibrant Lifestyles Among Adults 60+
Description: Join us for a Social Issue Breakfast sponsored by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, featuring guest speaker Dr. Thomas Perls, Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics at Boston University, and Generations Incorporated Executive Director Mary Gunn.
To RSVP and to receive event location details, please email rsvp@rootcause.org, or call 617.649.1518
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2010-03-25
End Time: 09:30
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Read Across America Day
Today, on Dr. Seuss’s 106th birthday, the National Education Association celebrates Read Across America Day. It is a day to encourage every child to read in the company of a caring adult. Right now, across Greater Boston, 298 of our students are doing just that with 132 of our Experience Corps members. Every day from Dorchester to Revere, South Boston to the South End, Roxbury to JP, our students read with dedicated Experience Corps members who have committed themselves to helping our 1,600 children read proficiently. Today and each day we celebrate reading across Greater Boston, making a difference and having an impact. We encourage you to read with a child in your life, spread a love of reading today and every day!
Latest Tweets
@sarahellenmac @idejmcd Thanks for the RTs! - tweeted on 30/07/2010 12:50:08
The great group of riders here at Generations Incorporated are getting geared up for the Rodman Ride for Kids.... http://fb.me/CFuWgYUT - tweeted on 30/07/2010 12:30:23
Team @Generations_Inc has raised close to $3K for the Rodman Ride for Kids. Lets keep things in gear. Donate now! http://bit.ly/bwE2Cv - tweeted on 30/07/2010 12:16:23
Loving your tweets! RT @MassMentoring: What about Lord of the Rings? Oh yeah, Gandalf was totally a mentor to the Fellowship. #mentor - tweeted on 30/07/2010 12:13:23
Follow some great #nonprofits in #Boston: @CityYearBoston @Mass_NonprofitNet @RoomtoGrow_org @everybodywins @socialcap @MassMentoring - tweeted on 30/07/2010 10:41:38
Feeling great. New #AmeriCorps members are here! RT @CityYearBoston: Good morning everyone, happy Friday! How's everyone feeling? @CityYear - tweeted on 30/07/2010 09:31:58
@socialcap and @eric_andersen: Thanks for the kind words. #tedxboston was a great event. - tweeted on 30/07/2010 08:42:13
RT @socialcap: #FF gr8 tweeps & speakers from #tedxboston @eric_andersen @rajmelville @generations_inc @lessig @Joselinmane @connectorsRus - tweeted on 30/07/2010 08:38:39
Photo of the Week: July 29, 2010 Welcome to our 2010-2011 *VISTAs who started their training this week! Our... http://fb.me/DZ9omN84 - tweeted on 29/07/2010 15:07:44
Watching tech entrepreneur @sethpriebatsch speak. - #TEDx live on http://bit.ly/cGLzAI - tweeted on 29/07/2010 10:45:13
