Social Innovation Forum
The Social Innovation Forum has built a portfolio of 106 organizations and social businesses - what better way to keep our community informed, active, and social than through our popular SIF Community Summer Series? Each week, we will share events hosted by our partners, past and present. Be sure to get out there and support our inspiring greater Boston social impact community!
The Social Innovation Forum Community Summer Series | August 4 – August 11
1 | Heat up the grill with Fathers’ Uplift, 2018 Innovator
This Dad Cares: Fatherhood Grill Off
Saturday August 4 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm | 12 Southern Ave, Dorchester MA
Fathers’ Uplift is hosting a cookout to celebrate fathers in the Boston community! Whip out your apron and compete against other fathers in a cook-off. There will be games, crafts and prizes so be sure to bring the whole family. Arrive early at 10:00 am for an Appreciation Ceremony. Fathers’ Uplift is a nonprofit working to empower fathers and give them the support needed to partake in their children’s lives no matter the obstacles they are facing.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Lakisha Austin at 617-539-6448 or laustin@fathersuplift.org.
2 | Get peddling with Groundwork Lawrence, 2013 Innovator
Lawrence Ciclovia
Sunday August 5 3:00pm – 7:00 pm | Mayor’s Health Task Force of Lawrence, 225 Essex Street, Lawrence MA
Groundwork Lawrence is joining the Mayor’s Health Task Force of Lawrence and the Lawrence Senior Center to hold this year’s Ciclovia! The organizations with close down parts of Essex and Common Streets for an afternoon of fun. Take part in activities like biking and Zumba that promote healthy living and enjoy the summer weather with your local community. Groundwork Lawrence strives to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships which empower people businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.
This event is free and open to the public.
3 | Break a sweat with InnerCity Weightlifting, 2012 Innovator
Harbor Fitness Series
Monday August 6 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress Street, Boston MA
In addition to their Moves on the Roof Fitness Series, InnerCity Weightlifting is collaborating with Atlantic Wharf to hold a free, outdoor fitness series on the Waterfront Plaza. Come condition and strengthen your body, no matter your fitness ability or experience! InnerCity Weightlifting is conquering violence on the Boston streets by giving troubled youth the opportunity to become personal trainers.
This event is free and will continue to run every Monday through August 27. Registration is required here.
4 | Delve into self-care with Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, 2016 Innovator
Wholistic Healing Workshop Series
Wednesday August 8 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | 15 Christopher Street, Dorchester MA
Take some time to participate in a workshop about the art of wholistic health and learn how to care for your whole self: mind and body. Learn about the importance of self-care, the capabilities of art and music therapy, and how to make remedies yourself at home. Dinner will also be served at 5:30 pm. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute strives to provide healing and peace to those impacted by trauma through special programming that supports any and all circumstances.
The Wholistic Healing Workshop Series will continue on September 12. Registration is required at janice@lbdpeaceinstitute.org or 617-825-1917.
5 | Grab a plate with Haley House, 2003 Innovator
6th Annual Outdoor Community Tables Dinner
Saturday August 11 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Haley House Bakery Café, 12 Dade Street, Roxbury MA
Bring an appetite and enjoy the company of your friends, family, and neighbors at the 6th Annual Outdoor Community Tables Dinner. Haley House’s Bakery Café staff and volunteers will take care of the cooking and use fresh ingredients from their own Thornton Urban Farm to make a special array of dishes (including vegetarian options). The Haley House strives to fight social inequality through health and culinary programs, and artistic engagement. They also serve and distribute meals through their soup kitchen and food pantry.
Admission is open to the public and on a “pay what you can” scale. The suggested donation is $10. No registration is required!
Free Fun Fridays! with Highland Street Foundation, SIF Funding Partner
Every summer, the Highlight Street Foundation teams up with Massachusetts’s most popular cultural sites to open their doors for free to the public to maximize opportunity. All are welcome! Here are the sites participating on August 10 (*New sites every week*).
- Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park | Boston MA | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- The Institute of Contemporary Art | Boston MA | 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Jacob’s Pillow Dance | Becket MA | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Cahoon Museum of American Art | Cotuit MA | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Nichols House Museum | Boston MA | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists | Boston MA | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wenham Museum | Wenham MA | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Fuller Craft Museum | Brockton MA | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- The Greenway Carousel | Brockton MA | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Freedom Trail® Foundation | Boston MA | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolina serves as a Program Intern at the Social Innovation Forum (SIF) through the Forest Foundation. She is assisting in the recruitment of nonprofits for the Social Innovator Accelerator, helping with event programming, and researching and writing for the SIF blog.
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to keep us updated on your summer fun!
Did we miss something? Contact Carolina at crosas@socialinnovationforum.org to have your summer events included in future Putting the “Social” in Social Innovation posts!