Civic Leadership

June 2018

Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors: Thoughts from Our President

2018-07-27T15:55:32+00:00June 22nd, 2018|Civic Leadership, Press Release|

The Former First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush, concluded her June 17, 2018 New York Times op-ed with this fundamental question: “In 2018, can we not as a nation find a kinder, more compassionate and more moral answer to this current crisis? I, for one, believe we can.” This sentiment spread across the country as we saw images of traumatized, sobbing children, isolated from their parents after entering our country in search of safety and sanctuary. The Cambridge Community Foundation has always valued strong families. Strong families are the anchors for healthy children; they fuel productive workers, they support thriving businesses, and they generate compassionate communities. Research has shown that repeated adverse childhood experiences can lead to toxic stress, which has long-term consequences on physical and mental health, leading to behavioral problems, children dropping out of school, substance abuse, and more. Separating children and their parents is not just morally wrong — it will have a lasting impact on these children, their families, and on communities. Fundamentally, this issue is about shared humanity. It’s about the kind of people we want to be, the type of community we want to create, and how we want to be

Nonprofit Spotlight: Cambridge Community Television

2018-07-27T15:54:11+00:00June 22nd, 2018|Civic Leadership, Press Release|

Nonprofit Spotlight Cambridge Community Foundation is a proud supporter of Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), an award-winning community media center that serves Cambridge’s diverse populations and our partnership is deepening. CCF has been funding Cambridge Community Television’s Youth Media Program for 17 years. The Youth Media Program promotes healthy development by providing underserved teens with training to express themselves creatively.  In paid positions as media artists, youth have the opportunity to develop valuable career skills, and break through mainstream media messages to tell honest stories about themselves and their community.  Ninety percent of participants report that the program gives them a chance to learn skills they do not learn elsewhere. Participants develop self-worth and confidence in their ability to achieve personal, academic, and career goals. Amid a citywide movement to better address the needs of high school graduates struggling with the academic, financial and social demands of college, the Youth Media Program expanded its scope, offering recent program graduates between 18 and 25 years of age positions as Youth Trainers and Advanced Producers. Josue Cardozo, who was a participant for two years before he enrolled in the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2016, continued involvement

Lori Lander: The Power of Convening

2022-10-06T20:58:38+00:00June 22nd, 2018|Civic Leadership, Press Release|

When Lori Lander was fresh out of college, she helped create a program to engage young adults in Miami’s urban challenges. That program hooked her on the power of convening and civic engagement, and today, Cambridge benefits. Lander, who is on our board of directors and co-chairs our Program and Special Initiatives Committee, is a powerful advocate for community building in Cambridge. She is one of the founders of Cambridge’s MLK Day of Service. This year, in its eighth year, the event drew more than 3,200 people of all ages and from all walks of life to work on projects that benefit others, in honor of Dr. King. Lori also hosts monthly conversations about urgent issues in Cambridge, in her living room! “I care deeply about how to get people active and engaged in their community,” said Lori. “It’s what Tip O’Neill said… 'All Politics is Local’. We’re all responsible for the community we live in and we need to engage to become the community we want it to be.” The monthly Breakfast Gatherings at Lori Lander’s house started in 2010 when she was thinking about how to coordinate the MLK Day of Service. She invited people she knew

March 2018

Join Us at Cambridge Forum & Join Us in Giving

2018-07-27T15:55:33+00:00March 8th, 2018|Civic Leadership, Press Release, Shared Prosperity|

“THE DREAM MACHINE: the journey from undocumented to deported” with author, Professor Dan-El Padilla Peralta and other panelists, including Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern & CCF President Geeta Pradhan Friday, March 9 at 7 pm First Parish Church, 1446 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge JOIN US FOR THIS FORUM & JOIN US IN GIVING TO THE CAMBRIDGE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND FOR IMMIGRANTS Princeton professor and author of “UNDOCUMENTED”, Dan-El Padilla Peralta shares the story of his own American dream.  Arriving in the US from the Dominican Republic at the age of four, he lived in a NYC homeless shelter as an undocumented immigrant before eventually graduating from an Ivy league school at the top of his class. Dan-el received his MPhil from the University of Oxford and his PhD in classics from Stanford University. In addition to his successful academic career, Padilla Peralta is an activist on immigration issues and will speak about the implications of the DACA decision not just for immigrants, but for all Americans.  Do we not have a moral responsibility to stand with the undocumented in our communities?   Join us for this important discussion. Doors open at 6.30 pm. This event is free and open to all. www.cambridgeforum.org

January 2018

CONVERSATIONS ON THE EDGE

2018-02-07T16:43:46+00:00January 17th, 2018|Civic Leadership, Press Release|

Immigration Thursday, January 18 – 6:00PM-7:30PM Spiegel Auditorium, 56 Brattle St. Cambridge, MA What do we mean when we say, “America is a nation of immigrants”? According to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants make up over 13% of the United States population, with some sources citing hundreds of thousands of new arrivals each year. In this conversation, grassroots organizers and legal experts will explore issues that affect immigrants in the United States today, including current and potential protective policies for immigrants and refugees, immigration reform,  paths to citizenship, and how local organizations can empower immigrants to participate in their local communities and civic life. Join us for a welcome reception with refreshments and light snacks at 5:30pm.  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Please note: This event is almost sold-out. If you plan on attending, please reserve your spot at the link above! The Cambridge Center for Adult Education has a long history as a beacon for learning and discussion on topics of import. This series is presented in partnership with the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) and Cambridge Community Television (CCTV). Panelists Eva Millona | Executive Director, MIRA: Eva A. Millona is Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

November 2017

Driving Change

2017-11-30T00:54:34+00:00November 29th, 2017|Civic Leadership, Press Release|

The Fall 2017 issue of our Newsletter probes a major city report on urgent needs in Cambridge, presents a program helping immigrant children stranded in the legal system, and celebrates the gift of Maurice Anderson responding to urgent community needs. We are delighted to introduce seven new board members, and the members of the Professional Advisors Council. Read more here: [download id="4927"]

Giving Tuesday

2017-11-30T00:54:34+00:00November 27th, 2017|Civic Leadership|

November 27, 2017 Dear Cambridge Friends, What do you want for your community? For many, the answer is the same as what we all want for our children and loved ones: good health, an education that will support them in their work and lives, and the means to fulfill their dreams. For too many, those goals are just beyond their grasp.  15% of our community now lives in poverty, and they are making hard choices every day. That’s why the Cambridge Community Foundation was established over one hundred years ago, and why we continue granting over $1.3 million annually creating opportunity, hope, and shared prosperity.  Through the power and impact of collective giving , your gift directly supports a civic agenda benefitting everyone in Cambridge and nonprofits that build lasting relationships with communities one person at a time. This year, an anonymous donor is offering $25,000 to support the Foundation’s civic leadership agenda.  Join your neighbors with a gift  for Cambridge.  Your gift will promote a caring and compassionate city, and support our community’s foundation – Cambridge Community Foundation. Sincerely,   Geeta Pradhan President

September 2017

Unite For Puerto Rico

2017-11-30T00:54:39+00:00September 29th, 2017|Civic Leadership|

September 29, 2017   Dear friends, I write to ask for your help with the relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.  Massachusetts has the 5th largest population of Puerto Ricans in the continental United States, and many call Cambridge home.   The effects of the devastating hurricane will be felt in Puerto Rico, and in the Commonwealth as people migrate to Massachusetts.  The Cambridge Community Foundation will be directing gifts to UNICEF USA's Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, both of which will provide critical support to our neighbors in Puerto Rico. Gifts to UNICEF will provide immediate relief in Puerto Rico. Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico will work to quickly aggregate philanthropic capital from corporations, foundations and individual donors and deploy those resources to well vetted and effective relief, recovery and resettlement organizations on a grassroots level. Gifts may be made online here.  If you wish to direct a gift from a donor advised fund, please contact Usha Pasi at 617.576.9966.   We thank you for your compassion at this time of great need. Geeta Pradhan President

DACA: Our history, our values, our future

2017-11-30T00:54:39+00:00September 25th, 2017|Civic Leadership|

Across the world, the image of America is one of abundant diversity, expansive opportunity, and remarkable inclusion. Indeed, that is what has made this country the nation we know today.   Waves of immigrants seeking a better life fled their homelands to make America their home.… those waves of immigrants were our ancestors. Some came here seeking freedom from tyranny, from religious and other persecution, and from poverty. Some were brought here forcibly on slave ships, while others came here to pursue education or work in the most advanced sectors of the global economy. With grit, resilience, and hard work they made a better life for themselves and their children. Somewhat obscured in the current conversation, is the reality that the migration we know from the founding of the nation mirrors what we see today. The Indian Tribes or Native Americans were here earlier. And as waves of immigrants came in, we built a country with our rules, our customs, our laws. We legitimized ourselves! Today, every community from Charlottesville to Cambridge, and Long Beach to New York offers a richness of cultural diversity and vitality. According to wallethub.com, Cambridge ranks 31st among mid-sized cities in its diversity ranking

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