Social Innovation Forum
Welcome to our ninth installment of the Putting the “Social” in Social Innovation Summer Series! With a portfolio of 99 organizations and social businesses, the Social Innovation Forum wants to help keep our community informed, active, and social. Each week we will share events being hosted by our past Innovators and Entrepreneurs. Be sure to get out there and support our inspiring Boston nonprofit community!
Social Innovation Forum Community Summer Series | August 16 - 23
1. Bring Volunteering to Your Office with Building Impact, 2007 Innovator
August Bookmarks
August | At your own office
Create bookmarks for young readers that will be distributed through the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC). The mission of BCNC is to ensure that the children, youth, and families they serve have the resources and supports they need to achieve greater economic success and social well-being. The Red Oak After School Program provides licensed afterschool child care for up to 160 children ages 5 to 13 during both the school year and summer in a multicultural and bilingual environment. Literacy support is of utmost importance for the program as many of the student's’ parents don’t speak English as their first language. Building Impact will coordinate the pick-up of the bookmarks and is available for any help needed!
2. Workout (Again!) with InnerCity Weightlifting, 2012 Innovator
2016 Summer Workout Series
August 17, 5:30 pm | The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, between High St. and Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02111
InnerCity Weightlifting (ICW) reduces youth violence by connecting proven-risk young people with new networks and opportunities, including meaningful career tracks in and beyond personal training. ICW uses the gym to replace segregation and isolation with economic mobility and social inclusion, disrupting the system that leads to urban street violence. In collaboration with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, ICW will be holding its 3rd annual Summer Workout Series: A series of fun outdoor workouts, free to the public, run by ICW coaches and student trainers for every Wednesday in August. For more information on being a corporate sponsor and to RSVP, contact Josh at joshf@innercityweightlifting.org.
3. Celebrate Roxbury with Madison Park Development Corporation, 2003 Innovator
Roxbury Strong: The Story of An Emergence
August 18, 8 pm - 9:30 pm | Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA 02119
Ron Jones of Dialogues on Diversity directs an original theater piece, performed by local youth, on the history of Roxbury in the 20th century. Dialogues on Diversity (DOD) is an organization that uses theatrical models to promote dialogue and understanding around diversity, cultural sensitivity, and social justice. DOD offers a range of fun, interactive, and informative programs designed to educate and entertain. Admission is free in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Madison Park Development Corporation!
4. Get Out on the Farm with Mill City Grows, 2014 Innovator
Volunteer Fridays
August 19, 1 pm - 4 pm | Mill City Grows, 150 Western Avenue B Mill, Unit A, Lowell, MA 01851
Individuals and groups of all sorts are invited to join Mill City Grows at its Urban Farm to help plant, tend and harvest the crops. Email lydia at lydia@millcitygrows.org for more information. Mill City Grows works towards creating a food just community where residents are engaged in creating a food secure community that promotes the ability to grow, consume, and distribute healthy, locally produced food on protected land.
5. Unlock Your Creativity with Artisan’s Asylum, 2014 Impact Entrepreneur
Harness Your Creative Spark (Note: There is a fee for this event).
August 22, 7 pm - 9:30 pm | 10 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143
Whether you find it hard to get going on projects or never manage to complete them as you'd like, this class will help you move through areas that feel stuck. This classes uses meditation and embodied movement to identity and overcome your blocks to creativity at whatever stage they arise. By following a stepwise process, students will be led to discover small steps that they can take to encourage major creative advances. Often unlocking creative blocks allows for more flow in all areas of our life, so don't be surprised if you see advances in your workflow, expression, or relationships! The goal of this class is to help students know themselves better as creators of their dreams, desires, and life.
About the Author
Alexandra Williams worked with SIF during the Summer of 2016 as a Social Innovator Accelerator Summer Program Intern through the Yale Alumni Community Service Fellowship. She is currently a senior at Yale University studying Political Science with a focus on urban development and public policy.
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to keep us updated on your summer fun at this week’s SIF Community events!
Did we miss something? Please email team@socialinnovationforum.org to have your summer events included in future Putting the “Social” in Social Innovation posts.