Advocate

United Way brought its "Brain Building in Progress" message to Beacon Hill last week as it convened a breakfast for legislators and their staff. The event, sponsored by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representatives Alice Peisch and Steven Walsh, featured representatives from leading statewide advocacy groups, who spoke about what they see on the ground - and how we can improve the lives of our most valuable asset, our children.  read more »

Bikes Not Bombs began a mobile bike shop called Chain Reaction which goes to low income communities to sell bike parts at discounted prices and also put on “how-to” workshops that demonstrate the ins and outs of bike maintenance. Learn more abou this United Way Youth Venture funded program from its organizer.  read more »

Hammered.org's founder discusses how he received a grant from United Way partner Youth Venture and launched his program. Hammered.org showcases fun local stuff to do without booze. Hammered.org currently serves the Boston area and will soon be expanding to other cities.  read more »

Massachusetts is counting on us to solve this problem. We have a moral responsibility to ensure that our state's great education successes are reaching all of our young people. And our economic future depends on our preparing the next generation of skilled workers.  read more »

I started junior year determined to prove my hunger for success. We met with the principal to discuss credit recovery and ask for a team to work with me to improve my GPA. I'll never forget what he said, and I quote: "I am going to promise you that I will hand you your diploma, shake your hand, and watch you walk across the stage in June of 2012." My team was never created. The follow up meeting never happened. He never spoke to me again.  read more »