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Brookline Residents Invited To Attend Panel Discussion On The Science Of COVID-19

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Brookline.com
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Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett announces that the Brookline Department of Public Health is partnering with community organizations to host a panel discussion about the science of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those interested attending via Zoom must register in advance and can do so here. The panel will also be broadcast and livestreamed through various platforms.

“This discussion will help provide a better understanding of the science involved in fighting the pandemic and give community members the opportunity to ask any questions they may have on the topic,” Health Commissioner Jett said. “Thank you to all who helped to organize this event and to the panelists for sharing their expertise with Brookline residents.”

The event will take place on Wednesday, October 07, 2020, starting at 07:30 p.m.

The program will be held virtually. To view the program on the day of the event, please go to Brookline Cable TV, Comcast and RCN Channel 3 or click here to watch it online.

Panelists:

  • Carey Goldberg, editor of CommonHealth at WBUR;
  • Ofer Levy, director of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital;
  • Jennifer Lo, medical director at the Boston Public Health Commission;
  • Michael McGovern, chair of the Rotary International Polio-Plus Committee;
  • Thomas Tsai, assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and advisor to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The panel will be moderated by WBUR’s Carey Goldberg and panelists will discuss ways to end the pandemic, including a vaccine that is in development. Panelists will also answer selected questions submitted ahead of time, which can be sent in here.

Those interested attending via Zoom must register in advance. To register, please visit here.

The event is sponsored by Brookline Rotary, the Brookline Department of Public Health, Brookline Parents Organization, Brookline Adult and Community Education, and several other New England based Rotary clubs from Massachusetts to Maine.

More information about the event can be found here.

Please Join The Brookline Police Department For A Blood Drive

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Brookline.com
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Please join the Brookline Police Department this Thursday, October 01, 2020, for a blood drive to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital.

This event is being sponsored by the @kelleykidsfdn in honor of our friend Mateo.

Pre-registration is required here. Please use code BROOKPD.

For more information, please see thebattached flier.

Brookline Residents Invited To Joint Listening Session Hosted By Select Board’s Policing Groups

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Brookline.com
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The Select Board invites residents to take part in a joint session of the two committees addressing policing in Brookline being held next week.

On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, from 07:00 – 09:30 p.m. The Task Force to Reimagine Policing in Brookline and The Select Board Committee on Policing Reforms will hold a joint listening session. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the virtual session and provide input on where they believe the groups should be focusing their work.

Both groups will also provide an update on the work they have done since their efforts began over the summer.

Residents who choose to take part will have up to three minutes to provide feedback and insight to either of the committees, or both. To sign up in advance, residents may e-mail Devon Williams at dwilliams@brooklinema.gov.

The meeting will be held via Zoom, and can be accessed by visiting here.

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About the Groups

The Task Force to Reimagine Policing in Brookline is tasked with a variety of responsibilities centered around exploring and recommending a new, data-informed approach to public safety.

The Select Board Committee on Policing Reform has begun the process of reviewing and identifying police policies and procedures, training and education and the supervisory structure of the Brookline Police Department and determining what, if any improvements and updates would benefit the department and the community at large.

The Task Force and Committee on Policing Reform are led by Fernandez and Select Board Chair Bernard Greene, respectively, and include volunteer residents whose backgrounds and experience lend themselves to the charges of the individual groups.

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Safety Tips for Vulnerable Populations During Emergency Preparedness Month

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Brookline.com
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Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director John Sullivan would like to offer residents tips about ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations ahead of an emergency, as part of Emergency Preparedness Month.

September has been declared by Gov. Charlie Baker to be Emergency Preparedness Month. Residents are encouraged to use resources provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to prepare themselves, their family, their property and their community for an emergency or natural disaster.

Vulnerable populations include children, seniors, pets and those living with disabilities or who may be immunocompromised. During an emergency or natural disaster, it is imperative that any emergency plan or response takes into account the specific needs of these groups.

In order to ensure preparedness and safety for all, the Town of Brookline encourages residents to follow tips provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Seniors

The following is information for older Americans preparing ahead of an emergency:

  • Any senior taking medicine or using medical treatment on a daily basis should have enough to last at least one week during an emergency. They should also keep a copy of their prescription as well as dosage or treatment information.
  • Be sure to always have extra eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries and oxygen in your home if you use them.
  • Include copies of important documents in your emergency supply kits, such as family records, wills, power of attorney documents, deeds, Social Security numbers, credit card and bank information and tax records.
  • If there are people who assist you on a daily basis, list who they are and how you will contact them in an emergency.
  • Inform your family, friends, neighbors and care providers of your emergency plan. Keep continuous contact with them whenever possible throughout an emergency.
  • Some local emergency management offices maintain registers of older people so they can be located and assisted quickly in a disaster. Contact your local emergency management agency to see if these services exist where you live.

Individuals with Disabilities

If you or someone you know is living with a disability, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind ahead of an emergency:

  • People living with disabilities should wear medical alert tags or bracelets to inform first responders of their disabilities. If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
  • Plan ahead for accessible transportation during an evacuation. Contact your local government’s emergency management agency so they can take note of your disabilities and assist you quickly during a sudden emergency.
  • If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare in case of a power outage.
  • Those who are hard of hearing or deaf should have a weather radio with text displays and a flashing alert. They should also have extra hearing-aid batteries and a pen and paper in case they need to communicate with someone who does not know sign language.
  • People who are blind or have low vision should ensure their emergency supplies include Braille labels or large print.
  • People with speech disabilities should keep their augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies on them. They should also prepare to communicate with laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram if their equipment isn’t working.
  • Those with mobility disabilities should have a lightweight manual chair, cane or walker available to them during an emergency.
    • If you use a power wheelchair, show others how to operate it, have extra batteries readily available, keep a portable air pump for the tires and have an extra cushion with you if you use one to protect your skin or maintain balance.
  • Anyone with sensory disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder) should have handheld electronics available with spare charges and a small pop-up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room.
    • Headphones should also be available to decrease auditory distractions for those living with sensory disabilities.

Children

Every member of your family should be prepared ahead of an emergency. Here are a few tips to prepare kids and assist them throughout an emergency:

  • Include your young children and teens in the planning process. Have them assist in building a kit, creating a plan and practicing a mock evacuation.
  • Help kids understand that they are safe and secure by talking, playing and doing other family activities during an emergency.
  • Teens who want to get involved can join or start a youth pr eparedness program such as the Youth Preparedness Council.
  • Teach kids about emergencies with fun games that get them involved in the discussion.

Pets

Emergency plans should always take into account your pets or live animals:

  • Try not to leave your pets behind as they may get lost, injured or worse. Additionally, pets should never be chained outdoors during an emergency.
  • Prior to an emergency, identify shelters along your evacuation route or consider an out-of-town friend or relative to host your pet. Locate a veterinarian or animal hospital in the area where you may be seeking temporary shelter in case your pet needs medical care.
  • Ensure all animals have some form of identification and up-to-date medical records.
  • Build an emergency kit for your pet that includes a three day supply of food and water, any medicine your pet may need and their collar and ID tags.
  • If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs on your property, evacuate the animals whenever possible. If evacuation isn’t possible, decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.

For additional information regarding vulnerable populations and how they can prepare ahead of an emergency, please visit ready.gov.

Brookline’s Plastic Bag & Polystyrene Bans To Resume Next Month

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Brookline.com
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Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett announces that the emergency suspension of the town’s ban on single use plastic bags and polystyrene (styrofoam) containers will come to an end next month.

On Octeber 15, 2020, Brookline’s plastic bag and styrofoam bans will once again take effect.

Plastic bag bans were suspended statewide in March at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Brookline initially extended the suspension of its local ban through the end of September in order to support businesses recovering from the financial impacts of the pandemic. Once the ban resumes, businesses will again be required to utilize alternative packaging, and single use plastic bags and polystyrene containers will be prohibited.

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Town Of Brookline Announces Cheryl Anne Snyder As New Emergency Management Coordinator

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Brookline.com
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Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director John Sullivan is pleased to announce that Cheryl Anne Snyder is the Town of Brookline’s new Emergency Management Coordinator.

In her new role, Snyder will coordinate all emergency management planning and activities for the departments that make up the Brookline Emergency Management Team. These departments include Fire, Police, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Health, Public Works, Buildings, Schools and Recreation.

The Brookline Emergency Management Team helps coordinate local, state, federal, voluntary, and private resources during emergencies and disasters affecting the Town of Brookline. This is done by developing and maintaining response plans for all types of hazards, disasters and threats; training emergency personnel to protect the public; providing information for businesses and residents before, during and after emergencies; and assisting individuals, families and businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of emergency.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Brookline Emergency Management Team and to play a direct role in the incredible work they do assisting all community members during emergency situations or natural disasters,” Snyder said. “This pandemic has shown us now more than ever the importance of having a plan in place, and how to best support residents and businesses when these incidents occur.”

Snyder started in the role, which is a new, full-time position for the town, on August 03, 2020. Prior to that, she worked for the Brookline Public Health Department as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator from July 2015 to July 2020, and the Emergency Preparedness Buddies Coordinator from May 2014 to June 2015.

“This position was something we identified as a need for prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and we believe Cheryl will be an excellent member of the Emergency Management Team,” Chief Sullivan said. “She played a pivotal role in the town’s COVID-19 response, and she’ll be vital in supporting the town’s emergency planning and response and comes into the role with a great understanding of the needs of our community. During uncertain times, having another person to turn to and help identify resources brings peace of mind and stability back to those affected.”

All residents and businesses are invited to register for the CodeRED notification system to receive updates about emergencies and other news as well. CodeRED notifications is available in five languages.

Sign-up is available either online or on a mobile device, allowing users to receive notifications about items like missing children or persons, criminal activity, fires, public health notices, utility outages, traffic conditions, various threats to people or the environment, and other incidents as deemed necessary by town public safety officials.

The alerts are sent to residents via phone call, text message, email and social media.

Additionally, residents and businesses also have the opportunity to opt in or out of non-emergency notifications. Non-emergency notifications will include other significant information such as COVID-19, election information as well as parking and transportation updates

The CodeRed notification system replaces the town’s previously existing Blackboard notification system. Anyone who has previously had an account on Blackboard should create a new account on CodeRed.

For more information on how to enroll online or on a mobile device, as well as how to create an account, visit the Town of Brookline specific CodeRED website here.

Brookline Office / Medical Office Space For Lease Or Sale Available Immediately

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Brookline.com
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Rare inexpensive Brookline Office / Medical Office space for lease or sale available immediately at The Brook House.

Turnkey ready spaces ranging from 1,000-16,000 SF (divisible) with abundant parking and amenities for tenants.

This building is unparalleled in location with a 3 minute walk to Brookline Village and a 1 minute walk to the Brookline Village Green Line stop.

To inquire, please contact Allie Percoco at allie.percoco@ngkf.com or 617-755-9563 for more information.

To download our promotional flyer, please click here.

Brookline Welcomes New Public Works Commissioner Erin Chute Gallentine

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Brookline.com
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Town Administrator Mel Kleckner is pleased to announce that the Town of Brookline has appointed Erin Chute Gallentine as its new Commissioner of Public Works, making her the first woman to oversee the department in its The Select Board approved Gallentine’s appointment as the Town’s new Commissioner of Public Works at its Friday, Sept. 4 meeting. She began her new role on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Gallentine has served as the Director of the Parks and Open Space Division of the Brookline DPW for approximately 20 years, and began her time in Brookline as the Conservation Administrator in 1998.

Gallentine replaces former Commissioner of Public Works Andy Pappastergion. He worked for the Town of Brookline’s DPW for over 50 years, serving as Commissioner for the last decade of his career. Pappastergion was instrumental in guiding the Brookline DPW to become one of the first to receive national accreditation from the American Public Works Association. He also represented the Town by serving on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s Board of Directors.

“This is a rare opportunity for the town to both celebrate and reflect on the tremendous impact Andy had on the DPW during his tenure while looking ahead to the work Erin will do as his successor,” Town Administrator Kleckner said. “Erin has served the Town of Brookline tremendously well, and has overseen the successful completion of countless, large scale projects from start to finish over the course of her career. We’re confident she’s the right person to build on the work Andy’s done over the last 10 years.”

As the Director of the Town’s Parks and Open Space Division, Gallentine directed the division in managing all phases of design, development, maintenance and management of over 500 acres of public parks, playgrounds, town/school grounds, park/street trees, athletic fields, cemeteries, nature sanctuaries and open spaces. She oversaw professional development, performance and staffing of more than 52 employees, oversaw emergency response efforts for situations including snow and ice control and emergency planning, prepared the division budget, and oversaw the budgeting and completion of more than $30 million in construction projects, among other duties.

Public Works creates stronger, healthier, more resilient, and more connected communities. We provide foundational support for the community’s daily activities and have the ability to effect meaningful change,” Gallentine said. “Building the next generation of success for Brookline Public Works will require many of the same strategies I have used in my career and the careful alignment of department services with important municipal objectives such as diversity and inclusion, climate change and preparedness, community engagement, emergency response, regulatory compliance, employee health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.”

Prior to working in Brookline she served as an environmental management consultant at EnviroBusiness, Inc. She holds a master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tufts University’s College of Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from Boston College.

The G. Edward Griffin’s Prophecies: 1969

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Brookline.com
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https://youtu.be/ogkKFvuW0SM

Slow Joe & Phony Kamala

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Brookline.com
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3587162764641792&id=295644160460352&d=null&vh=e

The ENTIRE George Floyd Bodycam Footage

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Brookline.com
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What exactly was sold to us, and why did we buy it?

Happy Fourth Of July

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Brookline.com
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Have an amazing Fourth of July and Happy Independence Day!

May your world be full of good fortune, great health, and positive spirit.

Service to one another – love, compassion, kindness and humility.

Stay safe, be well, and know that you are loved.

God bless America!

I Do Not Support George Floyd And Refuse To See Him As A Martyr

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Brookline.com
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“Confession: I DO NOT support George Floyd and I refuse to see him as a martyr. But I hope his family receives justice.”

Candace Owens

Race War In America

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Brookline.com
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Show Your Support

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Brookline.com
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Please join the Brookline community to show support for our teachers, educators, specialists, paras and all those who impact our schools and students.

The event will take place tomorrow, June 04, 2020, between the hours of 02:00 p.m. and 03:00 p.m. at Town Hall.

Any teachers, parents or students who would like to speak are welcome to do so. Please e-mail the Lincoln PTO at whlpto@gmail.com to be added to the list.

Four 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners Are From Brookline

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Brookline.com
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The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced today the 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners, and four Brookline students are included among the honorees. The students were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

Below are the winners from Brookline, MA:

Milena Kitterman
Probable career field: Public Health
Brookline High School, Brookline, MA

Ian Richardson
Probable career field: Engineering
Roxbury Latin School, West Roxbury, MA

Iris Yang
Probable career field: Statistics
Brookline High School, Brookline, MA

Ruiyuan Jing
Probable career field: Journalism
Salisbury School, Salisbury, CT

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

Today’s news is the second announcement of winners in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. On April 22, 2020, more than 1,000 recipients of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards were named, and on June 03, 2020 and July 13, 2020, some 4,100 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners will be announced. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,600 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million.

Brookline Looking To Expand Walking Spaces To Help Social Distancing Amid COVID-19

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Brookline.com
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As the state of Massachusetts begins to reopen, many cities and towns realize they are going to have to reconfigure areas to create more space so people can stay a safe distance apart.

Boston City Councilors Michelle Wu and Liz Breadon hosted a hearing for safe streets during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We really have to rethink what are the protections we can put in place so there will be enough distancing,” Wu told Bоstоn 25 Nеws. “There are different approaches for different neighborhoods. There are some areas where we should talk about closing down the street and making it a pedestrian walkway.”

Chris Dempsey, the director of transportation for Massachusetts, said we should also focus these efforts on neighborhood streets.

“Places where people want to get out a little bit more, get more fresh air, get to the grocery store, talk to a neighbor without feeling like they are scrunched on the sidewalk,” Dempsey said.

Brookline has already shut down some stretches of street parking and expanded the sidewalks into those areas.

“In Brookline they have actually taken more space for walking to the grocery store or walk to health care appointments on some of their major streets,” Dempsey said.

Cambridge is also working with its expert advisory panel about future considerations.

Happy Passover

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Brookline.com
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Passover, Hebrew Pesaḥ, or Pesach, in Judaism, holiday commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites, when the Lord “smote the land of Egypt” on the eve of the Exodus. The festival thus marks the first and most momentous event in Jewish history.

Passover begins with the 15th and ends with the 21st (or, outside of Israel and among Reform Jews, the 22nd) day of the month of Nisan (March or April). On these seven (or eight) days, all leaven, whether in bread or other mixture, is prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzo, may be eaten. The matzo symbolizes both the Hebrews’ suffering while in bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt in the course of the Exodus. Passover is also sometimes called the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

Passover is often celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, especially on the first night, when a special family meal called the seder is held. At the seder foods of symbolic significance commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation are eaten, and prayers and traditional recitations are performed. Though the festival of Passover is meant to be one of great rejoicing, strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration.

All Brookline Residents Encouraged To Complete Census During Time At Home

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Brookline.com
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With residents spending time at home as part of the fight against COVID-19, the Select Board and Census Complete Count Committee would like to encourage residents to set aside 10 minutes to complete the 2020 census.

The 2020 Census can be completed online here. The Census can also be completed by mail or over the phone. The Census is available in 12 languages in addition to English. Residents should report all people living in their home, including children and infants, regardless of whether or not they are named on the mortgage or lease.

The Census counts everyone living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status, and all respondents’ personal information is fully protected by law from being used for any other purpose beyond counting the population.

“It has never been easier to fill out the census, and while the circumstances that are keeping us all home are certainly unfortunate, it does allow us all that little bit of extra time to take care of something as important as the census,” Select Board Member and Complete Count Committee Co-Chair Raul Fernandez said.

Select Board Member and Complete Count Committee Co-Chair Nancy Heller added, “I hope residents will set aside the 10 minutes it takes to complete the census and ensure that we get a full picture of the amount of residents in town, which will impact the way we’re represented in Congress and the federal funding we’ll receive for the next decade.”

Starting in March, residents nationwide began to receive invitations to complete the census. Due to COVID-19, the deadline for collection of data is August 14, 2020.

According to Secretary of State William Galvin’s website dedicated to the Massachusetts 2020 Census here, the census impacts how much federal and state funding is given to communities for various projects in areas like schools and childcare, roads and bridges, public transportation and public health.

The census also impacts the state’s representation in Congress and how many votes it has in the Electoral College, as well as representation in state and local government.

Anyone with questions about the 2020 United States Census may call the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Census Division at 833-MA1-2020, or the Census Bureau at 1-844-330-2020 from 07:00 a.m. to 01:00 a.m.

For more information about the 2020 census, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Provides Update On COVID-19 Response

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Brookline.com
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The Brookline Select Board, Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Swannie Jett wish to provide the community with several important updates about the town’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency.

There are now 27 positive cases of COVID-19 among residents in Brookline, according to the Department of Brookline Public Health, as well as three cases among non-resident employees of the town.

The Town of Brookline’s COVID-19 website, BrooklineCOVID19.com, is updated regularly with a variety of information about the emergency’s impact on services and the community.

Emergency Operations Center Update

Brookline’s Emergency Operations Center has now been activated for two weeks as the town streamlines its response effort related to COVID-19. The EOC represents a multi-disciplinary team brought together to provide logistical, planning and operational support. Members from Brookline police, fire, recreation, health, school and many other departments are working together to support public safety and continue essential functions in Brookline. The EOC is also planning for the future needs and logistics of the Town in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

This week, members of the EOC worked in concert with state and regional partners through DPH and MEMA in order to receive essential supplies. This resulted in the distribution of a number of essential materials to the Police and Fire Departments, including thermometers and personal protective equipment (PPE). Currently, all PPE through normal distribution channels are on a backorder, so these avenues are vital in maintaining current response capabilities.

The EOC staff continues to create and distribute fliers throughout town in an effort to disseminate essential information to residents. These fliers contain crucial information and provide access to Brookline’s most vulnerable citizens, who may otherwise not be able to utilize the Town’s web resources.

EOC liaisons for various outreach organizations continue to reach out to the local service providers to understand and respond to those organizations’ needs. Additionally, Brookline Police Officers assigned to the department’s Walk and Talk Unit are in regular contact with Brookline Housing Authority and Teen Center staff and clients to addresses needs and gaps in services.

The BPD Elder Affairs Officer works daily with the Council on Aging social workers and other providers working with seniors in Brookline. The EOC also communicates regularly with Brookline Community Mental Health, as well as the Brookline Food Pantry in order to aid food insecurity prevention efforts in town.

Brookline’s COVID-19 Response, By the Numbers

Emergency Management Director John F. Sullivan wishes to provide the community with a quantifiable update on the efforts of the Brookline’s Emergency Operations Center:

  • Average daily calls to the COVID-19 call center: 35
  • Medical Reserve Corps volunteers: 150
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers: 250
  • Number of new, non-affiliated volunteers: 57
  • Residential buildings provided in-depth cleaning guidance: 506

In addition, the Public Schools of Brookline offer the following updates:

  • PSB Prepared and distributed more than 500 meals to students in need
  • Cleaned, prepped and distributed more than 400 Chromebooks to students who need a device at home for remote learning
  • Launched Remote Learning Phase I (March 23-April 03, 2020)
  • Organizing and Planning to launch Remote Learning Phase II (April 06-May 04, 2020)
  • Thousands of remote connections: teachers with parents, teachers with students, principals and school leaders with their school communities, teachers with each other in grade level or content area planning groups, counselors and special educators with vulnerable students and families, and more

Reminder for Restaurants

The Town of Brookline is monitoring a proposal by Governor Charlie Baker’s administration that would allow restaurants to offer alcohol for takeout or delivery, along with food. However, restaurant owners should remember that alcohol deliveries of this sort are currently prohibited both in Massachusetts and in Brookline.

For the latest information regarding food service in Brookline, please visit brooklinecovid19.com/restaurant-restrictions/.

Don’t Flush Sanitizing Wipes

As residents are taking steps at home to keep surfaces disinfected, they’re reminded to avoid flushing any items down the toilet other than toilet paper, including disinfecting wipes.

Many “flushable” wipes are indeed not flushable and can do damage to sewer infrastructure, so residents are strongly encouraged to discard any disinfecting wipes and other materials in the trash.

Tax Deadline Extended

The Commonwealth and federal government have both extended their tax filing deadlines to July 15, 2020.

Additional Updates and Information, In Case You Missed Them

Learning Resources for Students and Families

The Public Schools of Brookline have launched a new website to help students and parents cope with the interruption to students’ learning and routines. These resources are in addition to the work that teachers and schools are providing directly to their students.

The new website includes resources for learning, for families, and from the PSB school libraries.

Additionally, Comcast will be providing two months of free internet service to qualifying families through its Internet Essential program. Please visit here to learn more and apply.

Brookline Interactive Group Seeking Community Feedback

Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) has developed a community survey in order to better serve Brookline residents by providing timely access to important information. BIG will share the results of the survey with government leaders, which will help guide communication efforts as the COVID-19 emergency continues.

To fill out the survey, please visit here.

Tax Relief for Businesses

Governor Baker’s office announced tax penalty relief to support businesses affected by COVID-19. The Department of Revenue today announced that it will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties for returns and payment due for meals and room occupancy taxes between March 20 and May 31, 2020.

Library Expanding Digital Resources and Virtual Access to Staff

Remote library services went live on Thursday, March 26, and include a variety of digital versions of beloved library programs, including virtual storytimes craft-along activities and more. In addition, members will have the opportunity to connect with the library’s reference staff via chat and e-mail.

For a full list of digital resources available on the library’s website, including e-books, movies, music, databases and more, please visit here.

In addition, library staff will be available via email and chat during operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, beginning tomorrow, March 26, 2020.

For a more on remote services, please visit here.

Libraries will remain closed through the end of April, in conjunction with the extended closure of schools mandated by the state today.

Construction Guidance

The Town of Brookline’s voluntary construction suspension remains in effect. In addition, the commonwealth has issued guidance for construction workers and projects, which is accessible here.

School Closure Extended

The Public Schools of Brookline are closed, and Governor Baker announced that the statewide mandate for schools to remain closed has been extended through the end of April.

Shopping Bag Update

Plastic bag bans statewide have been suspended, including in Brookline. Additionally, Governor Charlie Baker has banned the use of reusable personal shopping bags until further notice.

Information for Those Seeking to Volunteer

To help streamline the effort to mobilize volunteers as appropriate, those interested in volunteering are asked to fill out this online form here.

Brookline COVID-19 Call Center Remains Open

For general COVID-19 questions not specific to the Town of Brookline, please call the state 211 line.

The Town of Brookline has established a call center in order for residents to ask non-medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Brookline. The call center will be staffed Monday through Friday from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. The number for the call center is 617-879-5636. The call center will continue to be fully staffed through at least the end of next week.

Residents seeking answers to Brookline-specific medical or public health inquiries should continue to contact the Department of Brookline Public Health at 617-730-2300.

Messages left after hours will be returned as soon as possible. Residents can also email their non-medical inquiries to: COVID19Info@brooklinema.gov.

Remember, in the case of emergencies, please call 911.

Submit Medical Questions by E-mail

Residents may submit their medical questions related to COVID-19 via e-mail to covidmedical@brooklinema.gov.

Smoke Alarm Inspections Suspended

Governor Baker’s office issued an order making a change to the inspection statutes that require a smoke and carbon dioxide alarm inspection prior to a residential real estate transaction.

Emergency Parking Rules in Place

For details about emergency parking rules currently in effect, please visit here.

Prevention and What to Do if You Feel Sick

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Brookline Public Health have stated that seniors and those with chronic health conditions are the most at-risk for serious illness caused by the coronavirus; they urge that those in this vulnerable population take appropriate precautions to mitigate their risk of becoming sick. As has been widely suggested, any person who believes they may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care physician immediately.

Federal, state and local health leaders all encourage residents to actively take part in social distancing — avoiding close physical contact with others, especially gatherings of 10 people or more, and working from home — in order to slow the spread of the virus.

Reported symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and respiratory illness, including pneumonia in severe cases.

If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should stay home and they are advised to contact their primary care physician. According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days of exposure.

If you feel sick, the CDC recommends:

  • Calling your primary care physician before visiting them in person
  • Staying home and limiting your contact with others
  • Wearing a facemask if you are sick. Masks are not recommended for widespread use by healthy people.

Brookline Public Health recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
  • Keep your hands away from your face.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
  • Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

For more information, visit the DPH website by visiting here and the CDC’s website by visiting here.

Free and Reduced Lunch for Brookline Students

Free and reduced price lunches are available for qualifying families on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the period that schools are closed. For information on school lunches, including when and where to pick up lunch for your student, please visit here.

To order lunch online, please visit here.

Brookline Food Pantry Update

For more information about the Brookline Food Pantry’s response to COVID-19, and to sign up for its Brookline Thrives program, please visit here.

Businesses

For the latest information on resources available to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, plese visit here.

Active Town Closures/Cancellations

For updates on active closures and cancellations, please visih here.

† Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”)!

This cultural and religious celebration is held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.

Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption.

St. Patrick’s Day, while not a legal holiday in the United States, is nonetheless widely recognised and observed throughout the country as a celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture. Celebrations include prominent displays of the colour green, religious observances, numerous parades, and copious consumption of alcohol. The holiday has been celebrated in what is now the U.S. since 1601.

In 2020, for the first time in over 250 years, the parade in New York City, the largest in the world, will be postponed due to concerns about coronavirus.

Make this St. Patrick’s Day very special for your friends, family and loved ones!

First Two Cases Of Coronavirus Confirmed In Brookline

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Brookline announced its first two cases of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, on Wednesday evening. This happens just one day after town officials reassured the community that the town was “at low risk.”

The Town Administrator Mel Kleckner stated that two adult residents have tested positive and are in isolation and are being monitored closely by medical personnel.

One of the adults has a child, who is a student at the Lincoln School. Despite the fact the child has not tested positive or shown symptoms, the school will be closed Thursday and Friday for cleaning. The student has been absent from school for several days.

“The [test] results from the [Massachusetts Department of Public Health] were not unexpected, and the Brookline Public Schools and the Town of Brookline have been working together to plan for such a situation,” wrote in his statement Mel Kleckner.

As a proactive measure, the town will prohibit any non-essential public meetings and events in town or school facilitates until April 30. The town also encouraged private organizations and institutions to cancel large public gatherings, urging older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and large events.

“I believe the most effective public health measure to prevent wide spread of COVID-19 is to encourage social distancing up to six feet and avoid any meeting or public gathering if possible,” Dr. Swannie Jett, Brookline’s health commissioner, said in the statement.

On the town website dedicated to COVID-19 updates, town officials wrote that stopping transmission is no longer feasible. Instead, the goal is delaying and slowing the spread in town.

“We recognize that this is only possible if we are providing a safe and healthy environment, and we are implementing measures to help maintain our safe environment by limiting — not eliminating — contact between people where possible,” the webpage reads.

Happy Presidents’ Day!

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George Washington’s Birthday is a United States Federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. Since the Uniform Federal Holidays Act of 1971, its observance can occur from February 15 to 21, inclusive.

Colloquially, the day is also known as Presidents’ Day, honoring no specific U.S. president: As one description notes, “Some states do in fact honor both Washington, who was born February 22, and Abraham Lincoln, who was born February 12. But other states honor Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but not Lincoln, on this holiday and some states honor all the presidents.”

The day is a state holiday in most states.

Gianni Gonzalez, 6 Missing

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Boston police are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 6-year-old, officials said.

The following was reported to the authorities.

Gianni Gonzalez was last seen at 05:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2010, at 10 Fidelis Way in Brighton, police said.

Giannni was last seen wearing a dark blue coat, grey sweatpants and black and navy blue Nike sneakers.

Anyone who sees Gianni is asked to please call 911 immediately.

Merry Christmas

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The magical season of Christmas is here once more.

One of the true meaning of Christmas is giving and sharing the love and reaching out to those who have touched our lives. It is a time to count our blessings and be grateful for them.

We wish you, your families and your friends a very merry Christmas!

Yom Kippur

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Yom Kippur (Hebrew: יוֹם כִּיפּוּר), also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

The Yom Kippur prayer service includes several unique aspects. One is the actual number of prayer services. Unlike a regular day, which has three prayer services (Ma’ariv, the evening prayer; Shacharit, the morning prayer; and Mincha, the afternoon prayer), or a Shabbat or Yom Tov, which have four prayer services (Ma’ariv; Shacharit; Mussaf, the additional prayer; and Mincha), Yom Kippur has five prayer services (Ma’ariv; Shacharit; Musaf; Mincha; and Ne’ilah, the closing prayer). The prayer services also include private and public confessions of sins (Vidui) and a unique prayer dedicated to the special Yom Kippur avodah (service) of the Kohen Gadol (high priest) in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Starting 2016 the United Nations officially recognizes Yom Kippur, stating that from then on no official meetings would take place on the day. As well, the United Nations stated that, beginning in 2016, they would have nine official holidays and seven floating holidays which each employee would be able to choose one of. It stated that the floating holidays will be Yom Kippur, Day of Vesak, Diwali, Gurpurab, Orthodox Christmas, Orthodox Good Friday, and Presidents’ Day. This was the first time the United Nations officially recognized any Jewish holiday.

There is no specific Hebrew greeting for Yom Kippur, although there are several which are relevant for the day. The standard festival greeting is Chag Sameach – pronounced “chag sah-may-ach” – which means simply “happy holiday” and which can be used as a greeting for any Jewish festival.

Shana Tova | שנה טובה

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The festival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a joyous occasion celebrated by members of the religious community all over the world.

The festival consists of many elements, including prayer services in synagogues and the blowing of an ancient musical horn called a “shofar”, which is made from a ram’s horn.

One of the most anticipated aspects of Rosh Hashanah is undeniably all of the delicious, sweet foods that Jewish people eat throughout the festival, which starts this year on the evening of Sunday, September 29 and ends on Tuesday, October 01.

During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people will frequently say the Hebrew phrases “Shana Tova” or “Shana Tova U’Metukah” to one another, meaning: “A good year” or “A good and sweet year.”

Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), literally meaning the “head [of] the year”, is the Jewish New Year.

The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה), literally “day of shouting or blasting”. It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days (יָמִים נוֹרָאִים Yamim Nora’im. “Days of Awe”) specified by Leviticus 23:23–32 that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.

Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration that begins on the first day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year. In contrast to the ecclesiastical year, where the first month Nisan, the Passover month, marks Israel’s exodus from Egypt, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year, according to the teachings of Judaism, and is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman according to the Hebrew Bible, and the inauguration of humanity’s role in God’s world.

According to one secular opinion, the holiday owes its timing to the beginning of the economic year in Southwest Asia and Northeast Africa, marking the start of the agricultural cycle.

Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a cleaned-out ram’s horn), as prescribed in the Torah, following the prescription of the Hebrew Bible to “raise a noise” on Yom Teruah. Its rabbinical customs include attending synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva, as well as enjoying festive meals. Eating symbolic foods is now a tradition, such as apples dipped in honey, hoping to evoke a sweet new year.

Shana Tova!

Brookline Day 2019

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Brookline Day 2019

The inaugural Brookline Day was in 2012. We are proud to invite you to our eighth event, Brookline Day 2019! Brookline Day is a large community event that involves many Brookline Town agencies, businesses, partners, and is headed by the Brookline Recreation Department. 

This year is going to be our biggest and best year yet! We are planning the best vendors, games, inflatables, trucks, food, face painters, bands, prizes, and special activities, that we can find. This is also the 6th year of our Brookline Day 5K Road Race which was a huge hit back in 2013. Brookline Day 2019 is guaranteed to be a great day of family fun that everyone will enjoy.

Updates to the website will be made frequently between now and September 22nd. Please stop back here regularly for the latest information and documents.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2019, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 03:00 p.m.

We will see you soon!

Location:

Brookline Recreation
133 Eliot Street
Brookline, MA 02467

Tel.: 617-730-2069
E–mail: recreation@brooklinema.gov

Mark Robinson Passes At 78

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Mark L. Robinson, 78, a resident of Milton, passed away peacefully on August 29th, 2019, at McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT.

Mark was a prolific inventor with multiple patents and never saw a problem he could not fix. He was loved by family and friends alike. He will be remembered for his soft-spoken approach and dry, witty sense of humor. He graduated from Brookline, MA. High School and attended MIT in Cambridge, MA. He was an accomplished motorcycle enthusiast, marksman, and a strong believer in our Second Amendment rights.

Mark was born in Boston, MA, on November 30, 1940, to the late Milton and Charlotte Robinson of Brookline, MA. Mark had three siblings who preceded him in death: Bessie Ezekiel, Elsa Wasserman, and Ellen Robinson.

Mark is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Linda Robinson, and their children, Adam (Laura and children, Edward and Sara of Washington, DC), Eli (Lisa and children, Caroline and Charles, of Atlanta, GA), and Jessica Parker (children Jacob, Eben, and Joshua of Pittsburgh, PA). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marcia Lenick and her husband Lee and brothers-in-law Louis Kaplan and Fred Ezekiel. He was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

Mark is survived by his dear friends: Warren Steadman, Bill Wasserman, Tim Therrien, Dave MacFadyen, his Breakfast Buddies and his good friends at the Ethan Allen Firing Range. He was a licensed amateur radio operator extra class, call sign N1MR, a member of ARRL the national association for amateur radio and BARC Burlington, VT Amateur Radio Club. He loved his family, offering advice and counsel to children and grandchildren during visits.

The graveside service is Friday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. at the New Tifereth Israel of Everett Cemetery in Everett, MA (the cemetery is located next to 174 Fuller Street, Everett, MA).

Donations can be made in Mark’s memory to Chabad of Vermont, Tobin Bridge Chabad or Angel Flight NE.

Public Schedule Of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros Of America

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Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America (Greek: Ελπιδοφόρος; born Ioannis Lambriniadis (Greek: Ιωάννης Λαμπρυνιάδης); November 28, 1967) is a bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Since June 22, 2019, he is the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

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Schedule

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Fri., Sept. 13, 2019

05:00 p.m. 
Great Vespers – Stavroforia of the Students
Holy Cross Chapel
Hellenic College Holy Cross, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA

Sat., Sept. 14, 2019 – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

07:45 a.m. Orthros

09:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Philip Halikias
Holy Cross Chapel
Hellenic College Holy Cross, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA

Sun., Sept. 15, 2019

09:00 a.m. Orthros – 10:00 a.m. ArchieraticalDivine Liturgy
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation
514 Parker Street, Boston, MA

Mon., Sept. 16, 2019

11:00 a.m.
Visit of officers and representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church Musicians
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

03:00 p.m.
Visit of of the leadership of the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

Tue., Sept. 17, 2019

07:00 p.m.
A lecture by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh:
“Turning Your Faith into a Hands-on Experience that Gives You Hope”
National Philopotchos Center of Philanthropy, 126 E. 37th Street, NYC

Wed., Sept. 18, 2019

10:00 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the U.S.A.
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

Thurs., Sept. 19, 2019

10:00 a.m.
Service of Agiasmos upon the new academic year
Saint Demetrios Greek American Day School, Astoria, NY

07:00 p.m.
“Being Orthodox in a non-Orthodox World,” An Orthodoxy on Tap NYC lecture
Pier A Harbor House, NYC

Fri., Sept. 20, 2019

10:00 a.m.
Visit of the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Antonis Diamataris
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

11:00 a.m.
Visit of the Minister of the Interior of Greece Takis Theodorikakos
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

02:00 p.m.
Visit of the Minister of Culture of Greece Lina Mendoni
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC

Sat. – Sun., Sept. 21-22, 2019

Synaxis of Abbotts and Abbesses of the Monasteries of the Greek Orthodox Archdicoese
Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Nektarios, Roscoe, NY

We Will Never Forget

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The September 11 attacks (also referred to as 9/11) were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. Additional people died of 9/11-related cancer and respiratory diseases in the months and years following the attacks.

  • Karleton Fyfe

One of the victims was from Brookline:

  • Karleton Fyfe, 31

According to the official version, four passenger airliners operated by two major U.S. passenger air carriers (United Airlines and American Airlines)—all of which departed from airports in the northeastern United States bound for San Francisco and Los Angeles—were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. Two of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan. Within an hour and 42 minutes, both 110-story towers collapsed. Debris and the resulting fires caused a partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the World Trade Center complex, including the 47-story 7 World Trade Center tower, as well as significant damage to ten other large surrounding structures. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense) in Arlington County, Virginia, which led to a partial collapse of the building’s west side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was initially flown toward Washington, DC, but crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers thwarted the hijackers. 9/11 is the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed, respectively.

Suspicion quickly fell on al-Qaeda. The United States responded by launching the War on Terror and invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, which had failed to comply with U.S. demands to extradite Osama bin Laden and expel al-Qaeda from Afghanistan. Many countries strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent terrorist attacks. Although Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda’s leader, initially denied any involvement, in 2004 he claimed responsibility for the attacks. Al-Qaeda and bin Laden cited U.S. support of Israel, the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq as motives. After evading capture for almost a decade, bin Laden was located in Pakistan and killed by SEAL Team Six of the U.S. Navy in May 2011.

The destruction of the World Trade Center and nearby infrastructure seriously harmed the economy of Lower Manhattan and had a significant effect on global markets, which resulted in the closing of Wall Street until September 17 and the civilian airspace in the U.S. and Canada until September 13. Many closings, evacuations, and cancellations followed, out of respect or fear of further attacks. Cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in May 2002, and the Pentagon was repaired within a year. On November 18, 2006, construction of One World Trade Center began at the World Trade Center site. The building opened on November 03, 2014. Numerous memorials have been constructed, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Although not confirmed, there is evidence of alleged Saudi Arabian involvement in the attacks. Given as main evidence in these charges are the contents of the 28 redacted pages of the December 2002 Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 conducted by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. These 28 pages contain information regarding the material and financial assistance given to the hijackers and their affiliates leading up to the attacks by the Saudi Arabian government.

As a consequence of the attacks, the United States of America has been in a state of national emergency ever since 2001.

Experience Of Being A Minority Puts Teens At Higher Risk Of Anxiety, Depression

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Puerto Rican teens growing up as minorities in South Bronx are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers growing up as a majority in Puerto Rico, even under similar conditions of poverty, says a new study in World Psychiatry. Researchers looked at nearly 2,000 Puerto Rican youth over two decades to understand how minority status and factors such as racism, poverty, violence and social support influence mental health. Although youth in Puerto Rico are poorer and face more homicides than young people living in South Bronx, the experience of living as a minority group in the United States led to worse mental health outcomes.

“How others interact with you as a minority can affect your mental health and how you see yourself. The mere experience of growing up as a minority can elevate your psychiatric risks,” says lead author Margarita Alegria, PhD, chief of the Disparities Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). “Exposure to racism and discrimination and the perception of low social position are consequences of minority status that may lead to depression, anxiety and feeling like ‘the other,'” she adds.

The Boricua Youth Study is the first large longitudinal study examining what puts minority youth at risk for depression and anxiety. The study was conducted by Alegria and colleagues at MGH, Harvard Medical School, Columbia University and the University of Puerto Rico. Researchers looked at 1,863 Puerto Rican youth ages 15-29 living in New York’s South Bronx and San Juan, Puerto Rico to explore whether growing up as part of a minority group in disadvantaged neighborhoods puts young people at risk for depression and anxiety and what factors lead to that risk. They also interviewed 1,100 parents and caregivers in both places to get their perspectives.

The researchers examined four general buckets of categories that influence mental health: environmental and social factors, cultural and minority stress, parent and peer relations, and family/individual vulnerability.

The key influencers that put teens at risk for mood disorders included perceived discrimination (i.e. neighborhood discrimination, the stress of being a minority and unfair treatment) and cultural factors (i.e. weaker ethnic identity and intercultural conflict). The strengths of childhood social support and good peer relationships explained the differences in mental health outcomes between minority/majority youth.

As a minority group, youth in South Bronx also face complex home dynamics that could affect their mental health. Families often provide Latino youth with a sense of identity and source of connection to their culture. Researchers found that intergenerational conflicts sometimes stemmed from minority youth assimilating to New York’s cultural norms.

Compared to their peers in Puerto Rico, parents in South Bronx reported more neighborhood discrimination, a lower level of family connection and more family cultural distress. Similarly, young people in South Bronx reported weaker ethnic identity and lower levels of familism than their peers in Puerto Rico.

The authors note that the findings have implications for immigrant youth nationally since “It is not individual risk but rather the environments and social context that could play a prominent role in the development of internalizing disorders.”

Neighborhood-based interventions focused on building positive social relationships, like youth civic organizations in after school programs could be effective ways to combat anxiety and depression among minority youth, the authors add. Strong parental and peer relationships also offer these youth important buffering tools to combat the stress of discrimination and counter the negative social mirror that puts them at risk for internalizing experiences.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities.

About the Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $925 million and comprises more than 8,500 researchers working across more than 30 institutes, centers and departments. In August 2019 the MGH was once again named #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its list of “America’s Best Hospitals.”

Location:

Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114

Tel.: 617-726-2000

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