Social Innovation Forum
This year the Social Innovation Forum (SIF) is excited to announce the expansion of our annual March Social Issue Talk Series to all of spring. With the optimistic energy necessary to live and work in Boston, we are ushering in the start of spring early with our first event on February 21. The newly renamed Spring Social Issue Talk Series is still made up of eight free, educational events across the city but now takes place throughout the months of February to April. At each event, funders and community leaders can hear from leading experts and our 2019 Social Innovators about the latest trends, best practices, and exciting innovations across a variety of fields.
Join us for our Spring Social Issue Talk Series
Building Healthier Communities through Environmental JusticeTrack Partner: Cedar Tree FoundationThursday, February 2112:00 - 1:30 pmLocation: Brown Rudnick- Panel: Cassandria Campbell, Cofounder of Fresh Food Generation; Kalila Barnett, Program Officer of Climate Resilience at the Barr Foundation; and Lead Innovator Patricia Spence, Executive Director of The Urban Farming Institute of Boston, Inc.
- Facilitated by: Kerry Bowie, Managing Partner at Msaada Partners, LLC
- Featured Innovator: The Urban Farming Institute of Boston
- Guest Speaker: Dan Lebowitz, Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
- Featured Innovator: Boston Youth Wrestling
Learn more here.
Ensuring Long-term Success for Young People with DisabilitiesTrack Partner: Edith M. Ashley Fund at the Boston FoundationThursday, March 1412:00 - 1:30 pmLocation: The Boston Foundation
- Panel: Rinat Kisin, Program Officer at the Ruderman Foundation and Dr. Monika Mitra, Director of the Lure Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University
- Facilitated by: Kirk Joslin, President Emeritus at Easter Seals Massachusetts
- Featured Innovator: Disability Policy Consortium
Learn more here.
Promoting Access to Arts and Culture in New BedfordTrack Partner: Schrafft Charitable TrustWednesday, March 20 12:00 - 1:30 pmLocation: Reynders McVeigh- Speaker: Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council
- Featured Innovator: Dream Out Loud Center, Inc.
Learn more here.
Investing in Innovative Approaches to Early Childhood Education
Track Partner: Wellington Management Foundation
Friday, March 22
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Location: Goulston & Storrs
- Panel: Mel King, Founder and Director of the South End Technology Center and Jeri Robinson, Former Vice President of Childhood Initiatives at the Boston Children's Museum
- Facilitated by: Marcia Galazzi, Founder and Executive Director of Brewster Day Camp
- Featured Innovator: Paige Academy
Learn more here.
Addressing the Complexities of Youth HomelessnessTrack Partner: Liberty Mutual Insurance Friday, March 29 12:00 - 1:30 pmLocation: Liberty Mutual Insurance- Panel: Matthew Aronson, Youth Homelessness and Coordinated Community Response Specialist and Jamila Bradley, Independent Consultant, Co-Author of the Massachusetts State Plan to End Youth Homelessnessness
- Facilitated by: Sam Greenberg, Co-Executive Director of Y2Y Network
- Featured Innovator: Y2Y Network
Learn more here.
Expanding Opportunities for Youth Through Education and Workforce Development
Track Partner: Amelia Peabody Foundation
Monday, April 1
8:30 - 10:00 am
Location: Ropes & Gray
- Panel: Rahn Dorsey, Former Chief of Education for the City of Boston; Dr. J.D. LaRock, President and CEO of the Commonwealth Corporation; and Margarita Ruiz, Superintendent of Salem Public Schools
- Facilitated by: Dr. David J. Silva, Provost and Academic Vice President at Salem State University
- Featured Innovator: LEAP for Education
Learn more here.
Advancing Equity and Opportunity for Immigrant Families
Track Partner-Shipley FoundationTuesday, April 212:00 - 1:30 pmLocation: Nutter- Panel: Marcela García, Editorial Writer for the Boston Globe; Marty Martinez, Chief of Health and Human Services for the City of Boston; and Lead Innovator Claudia Green, Executive Director of English for New Bostonians
- Facilitated by: Dr. Paul Watanabe, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Institute for Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston
- Featured Innovator: English for New Bostonians
Learn more here.