The plan identifies five strategic priorities focused on strengthening the OVA’s capacity, improving access to veterans’ benefits and services, examining housing and employment opportunities, and building trust and collaboration among organizations serving Massachusetts veterans and their families.

Established in the Acts of 2022 as the nation’s first independent state Office of the Veteran Advocate, the OVA is charged with safeguarding the well-being and rights of veterans under the care of the Commonwealth, promoting access to available benefits and services, and identifying opportunities to improve systems of care and support for veterans.

The Strategic Plan builds upon the agency’s foundational work during FY2025 and FY2026 and reflects more than a year of planning, informed by input from state leaders, key stakeholders, inquiries from the veteran community, and reviews of existing laws and policies. The OVA’s FY2026 Annual Report, released in September, highlights its accomplishments in FY2026 and identifies areas to improve the lives of veterans and their families.

“Massachusetts has a long and proud history of supporting those who have served our nation, and the creation of the Office of the Veteran Advocate represents another important step in that commitment,” said Veteran Advocate Robert Notch. “Our first Strategic Plan establishes a clear direction for the work ahead, with a focus on identifying opportunities to strengthen the systems, benefits, and services that veterans and their families depend upon. Through collaboration with our government partners, veterans service officers, and community organizations, we can build upon the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring that every veteran is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The Strategic Plan outlines five priorities that will guide the OVA’s work over the next five years:

1. Build Capacity: Strengthen the OVA’s ability to respond to inquiries, requests for assistance, and critical-incident referrals, while identifying trends that may reveal opportunities for system-wide improvements.

2. Review Benefits and Services: Increase awareness of available federal and state benefits, support veterans service officers and state agencies in improving access, and examine opportunities to strengthen benefits and services for Massachusetts veterans.

3. Review Housing Opportunities: Examine the housing needs of aging veterans, research alternative housing models, and identify opportunities to improve access to safe and attainable housing.

4. Explore Employment Opportunities: Assess opportunities to improve veteran access to employment, including careers that recognize military training and experience and contribute to the Commonwealth’s economy.

5. Build Trust and Collaboration: Strengthen the OVA’s expertise, relationships, research capabilities, and credibility as an independent advocate and trusted resource on issues affecting Massachusetts veterans.

Together, these priorities reflect the OVA’s commitment to addressing challenges affecting the Commonwealth’s veteran population, estimated at nearly 255,000 in FY2027, while recognizing the importance of supporting future generations of veterans and their families.

The plan also emphasizes the OVA’s unique role as an independent agency focused on system-wide oversight, policy analysis, advocacy, and coordination. Rather than duplicating the direct services provided by other organizations, the OVA seeks to identify gaps, recommend improvements, and work collaboratively with federal, state, local, and community partners to strengthen outcomes for veterans.

To implement the plan, the OVA will develop annual action plans outlining specific initiatives and activities supporting its strategic priorities. The agency will also maintain flexibility to respond to emerging needs, legislative changes, and new opportunities throughout the five-year period.

The Office of the Veteran Advocate’s FY2027–FY2031 Strategic Plan is available online at https://www.mass.gov/doc/ova-fy2027-2031-strategic-plan/download.

For more information about the Office of the Veteran Advocate and its work on behalf of Massachusetts veterans and their families, visit www.mass.gov/OVA.

“We want Massachusetts businesses to have access to the incredible workforce our state has to offer,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through Pathmaker, we’re bringing together our economic development and workforce development efforts to make it easier for companies to find the talent they need and for Massachusetts residents to access good-paying jobs in industries that are shaping our future.”

“Massachusetts has some of the most innovative companies in the world, and we want to make sure they have the skilled workforce they need to continue growing here,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By expanding Pathmaker across our key industries, we’re helping businesses build strong talent pipelines while creating more opportunities for Massachusetts residents to gain the skills they need for good-paying careers.”

Pathmaker launched in the life sciences sector through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center in 2023 and is now expanding to serve additional priority industries, including climatetech through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and advanced manufacturing, defense, and AI and technology through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Administration officials highlighted the Pathmaker application openings during a Massachusetts STEM Week event at Middlesex Community College today with Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Education Secretary Stephen Zrike, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah.

“Talent is one of Massachusetts’ greatest competitive advantages, and developing the next generation of skilled workers is critical to our economic future,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Our companies are pushing the boundaries of innovation in industries that are changing rapidly, and we need a workforce that can keep pace. Pathmaker brings employers and training providers together to develop the skills these industries need, helping businesses grow and creating new opportunities for Massachusetts residents.”

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to invest in a range of workforce training programs to help untapped talent gain new skills, and in turn, help employers grow, do business, and compete in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “As Pathmaker expands beyond the life sciences to additional innovative sectors, Massachusetts is building a strong talent pipeline to help jobseekers and existing workers upskill, gain industry-recognized credentials, and prepare for careers in regions across the Commonwealth.”

“One of the things we are celebrating during STEM Week is the many ways education can open doors to new opportunities for students and residents across Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Our community colleges and training providers are essential partners in helping people discover their interests, build new skills and find pathways to meaningful careers. Through Pathmaker, we are strengthening connections between education and employers so that more people can see a future for themselves in fields like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, climatetech and life sciences.”

“As I visit our partners and programs across the state, it has become clear to me that the foundation of our health care and human services system is a strong workforce. Investing in our workforce, means investing in our communities, and increases access and affordability,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “These funds will not only support our nursing workforce, but also to forge new employment pathways for our immigrant and refugee neighbors.”

“Through Pathmaker, training providers can apply for funding to develop or expand programs that prepare residents for high-demand jobs in these industries. Applicants must partner with at least one employer to demonstrate that their proposed training responds to specific hiring needs. Eligible applicants include community colleges, vocational schools, nonprofit organizations, workforce development organizations and other training providers. The programs aim to create pathways to well-paying careers, including opportunities that do not require a four-year degree.

“Pathmaker was originally developed to address a critical workforce challenge in Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem by connecting employers with the skilled talent needed to support their growth,” said MLSC Interim President and CEO Liz Graham. “Expanding Pathmaker into other leading industries underscores the value of partnerships between employers and training providers, and the potential they have to open doors to new career opportunities for Massachusetts residents. We’re incredibly proud to see a program that began in the life sciences take this next step in supporting the Commonwealth’s broader innovation economy.”

“Pathmaker not only meets employers’ needs by educating the next generation of workers to the specifics of local industries, it also assists the workforce by matching individuals with open positions in steady careers allowing them to stay in Massachusetts,” said MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk. “From advanced manufacturing to defense to AI, ensuring the proper career infrastructure is in place also means that Massachusetts is the hub for investment, innovation and talent as well.”

“As the climatetech sector grows in Massachusetts, companies are telling us that access to skilled people who are ready to do the work is a key factor in their continued growth,” said MassCEC Managing Director of Workforce Development Jennifer Applebaum. “Pathmaker puts employers at the table with training providers from the start, so programs are built around real hiring needs and more residents can step into careers in this industry.”

Applications for the expanded Pathmaker programs are now open. Employers and training providers interested in participating can learn more and apply at the following:

• MassTech

• MLSC

• MassCEC

The Pathmaker expansion builds on Governor Healey’s announcement earlier this year of more than $24 million in workforce development investments to help Massachusetts businesses grow, strengthen talent pipelines and expand access to career opportunities.

The MBTA’s Customer Experience team in partnership with the MBTA Fare Revenue Department previously released three commemorative cards in summer 2026. 

“Riding the T is one of those things that makes Boston, Boston,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “I say that myself as someone who is proud to call Boston home. The T is one of the best ways to travel and see all that Massachusetts has to offer, and today we’re excited to reveal a new set of limited edition CharlieCards, which feature iconic Boston landmarks that remind so many people of the amazing city we live in and its rich history.”

For more information, visit mbta.com or connect with the T on X @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) opened America’s first subway tunnel in 1897, pioneering public transportation in the United States. Today, the MBTA is one of the largest public transit systems in the country, operating an extensive network of subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit services across 176 cities and towns. The MBTA is undergoing a transformative period, focusing on cultivating a culture of safety and excellence, modernizing infrastructure, and improving reliability and accessibility. Current priorities include accelerating critical infrastructure repairs, expanding accessibility, and reducing emissions. The MBTA is committed to providing dependable, frequent, and accessible service that riders can rely on while supporting the region’s economic vitality. Through initiatives like the unprecedented Track Improvement Program, the Better Bus Program, and the Rail Modernization Plan, the MBTA aims to connect communities and improve riders’ daily experiences and trips. For questions or assistance, riders are encouraged to contact the MBTA Customer Center at 617-222-3200. Members of the press are encouraged to contact mediarelations@mbta.com. For the latest updates on MBTA services, projects, and initiatives, visit MBTA.com or follow @MBTA on social media.

This success builds upon speed increases implemented in August 2025 where the Orange Line reached 55 MPH between Oak Grove and Assembly Station. The increased speeds are attributable to track improvement work completed as part of the Track Improvement Program (2023 – 2024) and recent infrastructure work. 

“When we took office, we made a commitment to fix the T and deliver the faster, safer and more reliable service that riders deserve,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Today, Orange Line trains can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour north of North Station because of the investments we’ve made to improve tracks and infrastructure. I’m grateful to General Manager Eng and the hardworking MBTA employees who are making these improvements possible. We’re going to keep building on this progress and delivering better service for riders across the entire system.”

“We have removed slow zones, upgraded signal systems, scaled accessibility efforts, delivered new fleets, and worked smartly to improve infrastructure across the entire MBTA system under the leadership of Healey-Driscoll Administration,” said Interim Secretary and MBTA General Manager Eng. “Today we are proud to deliver improvements that will make travel even more efficient giving riders back more time in their days. I’m proud of what our workforce continues to accomplish and thankful for our riders for their patience. As a result, we are providing our Orange Line riders shorter trip time and 76% more service every weekday compared to winter 2023.” 

For more information, visit mbta.com or connect with the T on X @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) opened America’s first subway tunnel in 1897, pioneering public transportation in the United States. Today, the MBTA is one of the largest public transit systems in the country, operating an extensive network of subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit services across 176 cities and towns. The MBTA is undergoing a transformative period, focusing on cultivating a culture of safety and excellence, modernizing infrastructure, and improving reliability and accessibility. Current priorities include accelerating critical infrastructure repairs, expanding accessibility, and reducing emissions. The MBTA is committed to providing dependable, frequent, and accessible service that riders can rely on while supporting the region’s economic vitality. Through initiatives like the unprecedented Track Improvement Program, the Better Bus Program, and the Rail Modernization Plan, the MBTA aims to connect communities and improve riders’ daily experiences and trips. For questions or assistance, riders are encouraged to contact the MBTA Customer Center at 617-222-3200. Members of the press are encouraged to contact mediarelations@mbta.com. For the latest updates on MBTA services, projects, and initiatives, visit MBTA.com or follow @MBTA on social media.

​The event encourages Bostonians to come for a fall morning of community and Halloween spirit starting at 9:45 a.m. with the Paws & Pumpkins Parade where people can enter their four-legged friends into a costume contest. The contest will be judged by a veterinarian from South Bay Veterinary Group and a dog trainer from Pack Adventures, according to Samuel Englert, the Esplanade Association’s senior manager of Programs and Partnerships.

​The Esplanade Association also partnered with Polkadog, a Boston organization that sells canine treats and toys, to create prize baskets for participants of the Paws & Pumpkins Parade.

​Following the furry fashion show is a 1.5 mile walk at 10:15 a.m. Here the humans will be given a chance to win big with their festive costumes in a multicategory contest.

The event is open to all ages, and participants can run or simply stroll along the Esplanade, depending on which is more their style.

​“No matter what there is a place for everyone, so even if you’re not coming to run the 5K or do the 1.5 mile walk, or you don’t have a dog or pet to put in the pet parade, there’s still plenty of activities and things for you to do, even if you stop by for just a little bit,” Englert said.

​Englert has planned five other 5K events for the park and this will be the second annual Fall Fest he has helped organize. He said connection was a huge motivation for the event.

​“We wanted to create an event that was fall themed for the community. Our goal is that we connect people to the park,” Englert said.

​Runners and walkers could also take the opportunity to fundraise for the Esplanade individually or with their friends as a team. Prizes will be given to some of the best supporters, and all the donations will go toward park maintenance and planning community events like this one.

​“All of the proceeds go toward us being able to provide free community programming, so anything from fitness classes to children’s programs, tours, concerts. All of these funds go toward our ability to offer those for free to the public,” Englert said.

​Every participant in the costume or fundraising contests is entered to win items from the popular brand Lululemon.

​The Esplanade Association hopes people come to the Fall Fest Oct. 25 for a beautiful fall morning along the Esplanade, and they hope the runners and walkers stay for the fun activities, food, music and community.

​Pumpkin painting will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and there will be 15 vendors offering free samples. These include brands like Polar offering free drinks and Max Ultimate Food providing taste test opportunities.

​Max Ultimate Food will be catering the café in Charlesbank, the Esplanade’s first year-round visitor center that is set to open in winter of 2027. The organization will be sharing more information about the center at Fall Fest.

​Attendees will also be able to visit food trucks such as like Crepe Shop and Little B’s BBQ. With the community, contests and good eats, Englert hopes this event establishes the Esplanade as a welcoming place for all. What he looks forward to the most is the community impact.

​“I love seeing the families and the kids come out, smiles on their faces, feeling like the work that we put into this, which takes a lot of time, makes them feel like the trip was worth it,” Englert said.

Unlike fussy preparations, soup is very forgiving. If you don’t have one ingredient, you can usually substitute another. Soup cooks over low heat, so it’s unlikely to burn or scorch. It’s also a great way to learn how to adjust any dish’s flavor.

If your soup tastes flat, ladle some into a small bowl and add a dash of vinegar to see if it helps. If you like the result, add some vinegar to the whole pot. You can do the same with herbs, spices, salt, and pepper.

Use Leftovers and Eat Your Veggies

We often make a pot of soup by using up what’s in our refrigerator. We usually have stock or stock base; aromatic vegetables like carrots, onion, fennel, and celery; starches like rice, pasta, or noodles; and seasonings. We often cook and store the starch components separately and add them to each serving since they tend to swell and drink up all the stock.

We’ll add bits and pieces of leftover meat and whatever vegetables are in the crisper. We keep a few additions to soups, like chicken meatballs in our freezer. Not every ingredient has to be made from scratch.

We keep jars of legumes and beans ready to add hardiness to even the simplest soups. And a flavorful sausage, like Italian sausage, chorizo, or kielbasa, can take a basic vegetable soup to a new cuisine.

If you need a formula to start with, we recommend Pam Anderson’s book, How to Cook Without A Book. She begins her chapter on soup with this rhyme, “Sauté an onion, then add vegetables, starch, and meat. Cook it in a quart of broth for a meal that can’t be beat.” Then she teaches the reader to improvise around that theme.

Meat is optional. Anderson starts with a recipe for pureed vegetable soup and tells readers how to prepare variations with broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and squash.

Soup as Medicine

Cooks often stir up a pot of healing soup when a friend or family member has a cold or the flu. Today, scientists agree that chicken soup has many properties that relieve symptoms of those viruses.

The Mayo Clinic website explains how it helps. “Researchers say that chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory and temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose. This relieves congestion and limits how long viruses contact the lining of your nose. Plus, soup and other liquids help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration.”

Recently, someone said to us, “I would give anything for one more bowl of my Mother’s chicken soup.” We associate homemade soup with family, tradition, and perhaps good memories. Every so often, Penny makes a batch of the clam chowder that was served at Rhode Island shore dinner halls in years past. It reminds her of fun times with her extended family.

So, for the sake of memories, to help someone feel better, or to clean out the refrigerator, reach for a big pot and brew yourself some soup.

Do you have a question or topic for Fresh & Local? Email Penny@BostonZest.com with your suggestion.

“Whether at daycare, at school, at home or in a park, air quality is fundamental to quality of life for all our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These programs give local organizations the resources to put community-driven solutions into action, making all our spaces safer and healthier for everyone.”

The six selectees are:

​•​Chinatown Community Land Trust, Inc. – $150,000 to evaluate the indoor air quality co-benefits of converting historic Chinatown row homes from gas to electric air-source heat pumps through continuous air quality monitoring in ten residences, bilingual resident workshops, and property owner engagement.

​•​Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, Inc. – $200,000 to use heat, noise, and air quality sensor data from the 75-sensor Common Senses network to partner with local businesses in Roxbury and Dorchester on interventions and help residents shape a climate-resilient Urban Village Plan incorporating clean air goals.

​•​Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – $94,406 to use schoolyard monitoring, Boston Public Schools’ air quality data, nature-based solutions, and community knowledge at two Boston K-8 schools to evaluate how heat and air quality impact outdoor student spaces and identify practical strategies to improve health during outdoor learning and play.

​•​Mothers Out Front East Boston – $198,352 to utilize new technology to measure ultrafine and fine particles in twenty East Boston daycares and test how well different models of air filters reduce indoor pollution exposure for children and caregivers.

​•​Museum of Science – $199,974 to establish the “Clearing the Air @ MOS” Living Lab and public engagement campaign at the new Public Science Common, featuring immersive digital visualizations, video storytelling, and educational features highlighting City of Boston grantees and air quality solutions for millions of visitors.

​•​North American Indian Center of Boston – $184,536 to install air quality monitors and HEPA air purifiers in ten American Indian and Alaska Native households to reduce indoor air pollution, evaluate health impacts, and build a long-term community mitigation plan.

Since the 2021, the Community Clean Air Grant Program has awarded $2,284,748 to 13 organizations. This round attracted 20 proposals, reviewed by a fifteen-member committee representing nine City departments. Applications were evaluated based on alignment with program goals, community and equity impacts, feasibility, organizational capacity, clarity of evaluation metrics, and demonstration of local expertise.

“Tackling urban air pollution requires direct collaboration with the communities bearing the greatest environmental burdens,” said Brian Swett, City of Boston’s Chief Climate Officer. “These six community-led projects demonstrate how local investments can measure pollution, lower health risks, and collect essential data to improve our City’s air quality for generations to come.”

“Chinatown is Boston’s hottest neighborhood and has some of the worst particulate air pollution in the state,” said Lydia Lowe, Executive Director at the Chinatown Community Land Trust Inc. “We are thrilled to receive a Community Clean Air Grant, so that we can now measure the impact of electric heat pump conversion on indoor air quality and residents’ quality of life.”

“The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, in partnership with Project RIGHT and the Boston Area Research Initiative at Northeastern University, is using a network of heat, noise, and air quality sensors as community infrastructure, pairing that data with residents’ stories to bring solutions to Roxbury and Dorchester,” said Mike Pollio, Deputy Director of Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. “With this funding, DSNI will partner with local businesses on air-centered improvements, and residents will use what is learned to shape a neighborhood development plan with clean air at its center.”

“East Boston children face high pollution risks and are up to four times more likely to have asthma, making data on ultrafine particulates critical for their safety,” said Sonja Tengblad, Founder of Mothers Out Front East Boston. “By partnering with Air Partners and using new QuantAQ technology, we will test different air filter models and provide our community more accurate air quality information and better protection.”

“Clean air is an essential public good, but poor indoor air quality and wildfire smoke continue to endanger children’s health and disrupt their learning,” said David Sittenfeld, Director of the Center for the Environment at the Museum of Science. “Clearing the Air @ MOS” will address this crisis by raising awareness of the environmental causes of unhealthy air, highlighting community-led solutions, and inspiring equitable environmental action across the region.”

“Reclaiming air quality is a vital priority for New England’s urban Indian community, especially after smoke from the recent Canadian wildfire demonstrated how environmental destruction directly impacts First Nations territories and Indigenous health in Boston,” said Jean-Luc Pierite, President of the North American Indian Center of Boston. “We are grateful to partner with Air Partners and the City of Boston to advance this critical work.”

“This funding will allow us to better understand the air quality and heat conditions children experience in the places where they play, learn, and gather outdoors,” said Judith Rodriguez, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Chan School of Public Health. “By working directly with schools and community partners, we hope to translate environmental data into practical actions that support healthier, cooler, and more equitable school environments.”

The program is supported by the Air Pollution Control Commission’s Pollution Abatement Fund. The next round of Community Clean Air Grant applications will open in spring 2027. More information about the program can be found at Boston.gov/clean-air-grant/.

“It stopped us in our tracks,” recalled Gilbert. “I think art can stop you. It can bring you joy and delight; but it can also bring conversations.”

Now, as the executive director of the Boston Public Art Triennial, Gilbert has been redefining how millions of residents and visitors experience the city by bringing large-scale contemporary art to neighborhoods across Boston.

“We’re trying to open up conversations, minds, and spaces,” said Gilbert, during her October 13 presentation, “Building a Public Art City,” during the Beacon Hill Women’s Forum (BHWF) at the Union Club of Boston.

Gilbert founded the Triennial in 2015 to bring accessible, world-class, contemporary art to the community with the initiative to transform local neighborhoods into cultural canvases for civic engagement and human participation.

“As much as Boston is progressing, there’s still much work to be done,” Gilbert admitted. “We’re trying to turn a closed city into one that’s more open.”

According to Gilbert, Boston is one of the few major cities that does not have a percentage-for-art policy that budgets two to three percent for the commission and construction of installing public art, be it murals, graffiti, sculptures, or even pianos.

The Triennial has raised millions of dollars over the past 11 years to find and foster contemporary artists who aspire to make the world a better place. Gilbert hopes that bringing more artists into public spaces will help inspire future legislation for a percentage-for-art.

“I started this because I was frustrated that there wasn’t more public art,” emphasized Gilbert, who values boldness and vulnerability. “I’ve been proud of everything we’ve done on this journey.”

Since the Triennial was established, the organization has showcased over 85 local, national, and international artists in more than 80 projects displayed in 50 locations in collaboration with over 150 partners.

“It is a great responsibility to put something up that is reflective of who we are as Bostonians and who we want to be,” said Gilbert, a Leather District resident. “Our work is generally more of a site-specific response to something.”

Recently, the Triennial brought cultural institutions and museums together to form a free, city-wide art festival in celebration of who Boston is today and who the people hope to be tomorrow. Over 20 pieces of art were displayed and more than 100 free events were hosted, raising $9.5 million back into the cultural economy.

Gilbert’s goal is to create a more accessible, vibrant, and equitable city with contemporary public art that can withstand the elements and criticism while inviting passersby to slow down and consider what they see.

“Our audience is culture seekers, open to new ideas,” proclaimed Gilbert. “I feel passionately about artists’ role in helping us think about how to make the world a better place.”

As innovative and socially progressive as Boston can be, Gilbert stressed that the city does not have the proper supports for public art, which is why non-profit organizations must bolster it.

“As an artist-founded organization, we take artists’ visions seriously,” explained Gilbert. “It is paramount to what we do.”

By respecting the time and cost – both emotional and financial – the Triennial changes the scale and opportunities available to artists.

“Art is the way I understand my world. I am a maker, and I understand the struggles. That’s why I want to continue this work,” shared Gilbert, who has a waterfront art studio in East Boston. “The things that make me the happiest and most satisfied in my job is watching my team come together to do impossible things and watching the world become a little brighter and open.”

Visit www.TheTriennial.org or on Instagram @TheTriennial to join the monthly newsletter, learn about upcoming initiatives, or view a site map of commissioned projects throughout the City of Boston.

In January 2027, two current Boston School Committee members’ terms are set to expire, prompting the beginning of the Nominating Panel process this fall. Chair Jeri Robinson, BPS graduate and retired vice president of Early Childhood Initiatives at the Boston Children’s Museum, will step down after twelve years of dedicated service on the committee. Quoc Tran, parent of four BPS graduates, former BPS teacher, and retired deputy director of the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, is currently serving his second term on the committee.

Applications to fill the upcoming vacancies are due Friday, November 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The application can be found here. Virtual interviews will be held in the early evening on Tuesday, December 1; Wednesday, December 2; and/or Thursday, December 3. Candidates must be Boston residents and should expect that service on the School Committee involves a significant time commitment to connect with school departments and leaders.

The Boston School Committee is the governing body of the Boston Public Schools. The School Committee is responsible for:

​•​Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools;

​•​Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget;

​•​Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and

​•​Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.

The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning, and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods, and are broadcast on Boston City TV.

The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor from candidates recommended by the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel. The School Committee also includes a non-voting student member of the Boston Student Advisory Council. The selected members for these terms will begin on January 1, 2027 and expire on January 7, 2031.

Please direct all questions and submit completed applications to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or to Boston City Hall, Mayor’s Office, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02201. You can learn more about the Boston School Committee online.

Applications will be available in English, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Cape Verdean Kriolu. For more information regarding the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel and the application process, please visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/schools/boston-school-committee-nominating-panel.

Joining forces with the East Boston Farmer’s Market, the Health Fair offered free flu and COVID vaccines, health screenings, educational resource booths, and hands-on activities including pumpkin decorating, face painting and music designed to engage attendees of all ages while fostering community wellness. Attendees also enjoyed healthy snacks donated by Farmer’s Fridge, Stop and Compare Market, La Hacienda and Pollo Campero.

“The Fall Family Health Fair is a meaningful opportunity to meet our communities where they are with preventative care, trusted health information and fun, family-friendly activities for the kids” said Courtney Senechal, Director of Nursing at NeighborHealth. “By connecting with families in person, we can help them feel informed, supported and prepared to protect their health during flu season and throughout the winter.”

NeighborHealth volunteers, staff and community partners connected with visitors, offering families opportunities to learn more about services and resources available year-round from health educators, behavioral health clinicians, and community outreach teams. The event also provided opportunities for new patients to connect directly with staff and explore NeighborHealth’s broad network of family care, radiology, dental, recovery, older adult and behavioral health programs.

NeighborHealth plans to continue to support healthier, more connected communities across Boston through education, prevention and care and will be hosting a second Fall Family Health Fair at Blackstone Square Park, 1535 Washington St, South End, Boston on Saturday, October 17 from 10am- 2pm.

This year’s health fairs are made possible thanks to the generosity of presenting sponsor Mass General Brigham Health Plan as well as Quest Diagnostics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Santander Bank, Beth Israel Lahey Health Mt. Auburn OBGYN Dept., Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Boston Public Health Commission, Cataldo Ambulance, and Rockland Trust. Other in-kind sponsors include Farmer Dave, Costco, Wegman’s, and Whole Foods Market.

To learn more about upcoming community events, visit NeighborHealth Events.

NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving over 120,000 people and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Quality Leader. For more than 55 years, NeighborHealth has offered access to comprehensive primary care, specialty care and emergency care for patients in the Commonwealth. In a first-of-its-kind merger in 2020, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center joined forces with the South End Community Health Center and expanded services to patients who live and work in Boston’s South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. NeighborHealth champions innovative care models to actively bridge health equity gaps in our low-income and immigrant communities with services unique from other healthcare providers in our state. For more information, visit neighborhealth.com/en/.