for South Boston programs and services
Looks like some South Boston programs will be receiving some much needed funds. From substance abuse treatment to family services, the following is a press release which organization in Southie will be receiving funds:
Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Representative Nick Collins joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a $38.1 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16). The spending plan reaffirms a commitment to public health and safety, education, and family and youth services, especially in the areas of substance abuse treatment and prevention.
“I am proud of the results that Representative Collins and I were able to achieve on behalf of the South Boston community,” said Senator Linda Dorcena Forry. “These state funds will allow neighborhood programs to thrive and continue to serve residents of South Boston and provide an opportunity for a better future.”
“Many dedicated groups and advocates worked very hard to secure support in this year’s budget. Nothing is ever guaranteed and it takes strong advocacy in the House and Senate to deliver for our community, especially when there is a budget deficit,” said Rep. Nick Collins. “Senator Forry and I are pleased to have obtained funding to ensure our community will have the services necessary to maintain a high quality of life in our neighborhoods for all citizens.”
With youth development a key priority on their agenda, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins secured funding for the South Boston Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassador Program and the South Boston Leadership Initiative, which provide leadership development programs for local youth.
To address important family service needs, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins secured funding in the FY16 budget for agencies that have demonstrated measurable impact on the South Boston community. The budget includes funding for Julie’s Family Learning Center which provides services to families and single mothers, helping them break the cycle of poverty. The FY16 budget also allocates funding for the Laboure Center’s Recovery Connections Program which supports children and families affected by substance abuse.
With substance abuse at crisis levels across the Commonwealth, particularly relative to the opiate epidemic, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins were able to secure state funding for the Gavin Foundation, the South Boston Collaborative Center and the Answer House to provide critical substance abuse prevention and treatment services to those in need.
Always considering public safety a priority, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins also restored funding for dedicated police patrols along Day Boulevard.
With South Boston’s legacy as a community that honors its veterans, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins worked to secure authorization and funding to build the Massachusetts Iraq & Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial on the South Boston Waterfront. The Memorial will honor all post-9/11 military service members of the Commonwealth who died while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations across the globe.
Additionally, in order to support services and programs for the City of Boston, Sen. Forry and Rep. Collins helped secure roughly $174 million in unrestricted general government state aid for the City of Boston and an additional $212 million in Chapter 70 funding for the Boston Public Schools.
The budget passed with overwhelming support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate has been signed into law by the Governor.
