In the News
CMS Takes Part in UCC Mission and Justice Fair, May 17
"City Mission Society, which has been offering assistance to low-income and marginalized men, women and children in Boston since 1816, was one of many groups participating in Being the Realm of God: A Mission and Justice Fair, held at MACUCC conference center on May 17."
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DAY OF SERVICE -- Alison Coleman-Hardy (right) with the City Mission Society and volunteers John Hamilton of Norwood (left) and Steve Batzell, Susan Gilday, and Rebecca Girash, all of Arlington, cleaned the kitchen yesterday at the Wellness Center in Boston as part of the Day of Service event honoring the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Essdras M. Suarez, The Boston Globe
CMS's Martin Luther King Day of Service a Citywide Success!
New CMS Initiative Establishes Valuable Connections
Over 130 volunteers with the City Mission Society of Boston (CMS) came together on Saturday, January 19, 2008 to honor the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the first annual CMS Day of Service. The day-long event gave volunteers of all ages from churches throughout the state the opportunity to work at eleven different non-profit agencies in the Greater Boston Metro Area.
Volunteers began and ended the day at the United Parish Church in Brookline with a celebration, creating a community banner reflecting on the day’s activities and the legacy of Rev. Dr. King. In all representatives from over 20 faith communities participated. In just one day, their efforts benefited over 1,400 people.
“Rev. King believed the way to greatness was through service to others,” said Reverend June Cooper, Executive Director of the City Mission Society. “We wanted to celebrate his memory with a ‘day on’ rather than a ‘day off,’ and encourage people to take some time this holiday weekend to give back to the community." "Many of our partner agencies tell us they need help and at the same time we are frequently asked by members of the faith community for opportunities to work for social justice. The idea of a Day of Service was a great way to connect both groups to do this work. The Day of Service gave us opportunities to emulate rather than commemorate what Rev. King said and did. We were able to continue his work by sharing our gifts and working for justice.”
Volunteers fanned out for a variety of work projects throughout the city, from painting and cleaning at service sites to packing up books and other items to be shipped to those in need. In many cases, they worked side-by-side with the clients of the agencies. Work sites included a wide range of social justice agencies including
- Victory Programs, which serve people challenged by substance abuse;
- Renewal House, a shelter for women who have been threatened by domestic violence;
- and the Prison Book Program in Quincy which supports the efforts of incarcerated men and women to educate themselves and increase their chances of successful re-integration into the community.
Other volunteers did work painting and cleaning at area churches that are actively involved in promoting social justice in their neighborhoods, such as First Church in Charlestown, Brighton-Allston Congregational Church, and Pilgrim Church in Dorchester.
Volunteer and City Mission Society Board Member John Dale said that he felt good about being able to help people improve their day-to-day lives.
This first annual event is sponsored by the City Mission Society of Boston with the support of the Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ. For more information about the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, see the following stories in the Boston Herald, the Patriot Ledger and the Charlestown Bridge.
Support the Jahmol Norfleet Video Project
Jahmol Norfleet was working to broker a truce between rival street gangs when he was shot to death in November 2006. CMS is making a video in his honor that will encourage young people to think before they make choices that will harm them and their loved ones. For more information and to see a clip of the video, click here. Or to donate, select "Jahmol Norfleet Video Project" on the Donation page.