5 03, 2024

It Takes a Community: Sister Maryadele Robinson

2024-03-05T09:19:17-05:00March 5th, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|0 Comments

By Carol Masshardt Since age 19, Sister Maryadele, of the Catholic Charities Labore Center, has been guided by her faith, and that has led her, surely and through experience, to work with and on behalf of those suffering. “I was always close to the church where I grew up in Syracuse, New York, and learned so much from the sisters along the way, but it was when I saw them in action at a nursing home that I began to understand the meaning of God in action and lives. Faith isn’t just a Sunday morning thing,” she said. Many know Maryadele as the former Director of Labore prior to her “retirement.”  It may be less known that she returned to the ministry that has meant [...]

5 02, 2024

Kathy Lafferty: Community Leader

2024-02-05T08:42:58-05:00February 5th, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on Kathy Lafferty: Community Leader

Observant and energetic, Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House, was shaped by early experiences on the same streets she can nearly see from her office on H St. “I remember looking at Bob Monahan and Helen Alex and thinking, Wow, you can grow up here, and then stay and make a difference.” That was, and continues to be, appealing to a woman who has now devoted thirty years to an organization where she went as a child and in a community she knows well. Five generations of her family have participated, including her own two now college age children with husband, Shine Lafferty, also of several generations in South Boston. As the youngest of five, she remembers with delight her early [...]

22 01, 2024

Sharing a Love of Reading

2024-01-22T12:31:26-05:00January 22nd, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on Sharing a Love of Reading

For South Boston’s Linda Chiaramonte, it started a dozen years ago when she spotted a flyer at the library. Literation’s, a program designed to help students reach reading proficiency by fifth grade was seeking volunteers to help students at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club after school program. “My husband was quite ill, and I had to stay close, but also needed something. And I thought working with children, which I hadn’t done, would be good when I was so absorbed in illness,” she said. “There is fun and energy with young people.” She has continued ever since. Ellie Sullivan started eight years ago, when she wanted to do something meaningful and local. Both Linda and Ellie had leadership positions through their lives, and though each [...]

10 12, 2023

SB Sports Hall of Fame Awards Scholarships

2023-12-10T11:07:07-05:00December 10th, 2023|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on SB Sports Hall of Fame Awards Scholarships

The South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund awarded a record-breaking 16 $2,500 scholarships as well as the inaugural Ed Buccigross $5,000 Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Grant recently at the Curley Community Center. The Board applauds these youth for all that they do in their schools and in the community. Since its founding in 1995, the Fund has awarded scholarships to 249 deserving South Boston scholars for a grand total of $411,000. The Fund was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to provide scholarship grants to South Boston students who are academically excellent, have a reasonable family need, and demonstrate good citizenship and community involvement. Participation in athletics is not required in order to apply for the scholarship. The grant program is educational in nature [...]

4 12, 2023

Boys & Girls Club Explores Japanese Cuisine in Unique Collaboration

2023-12-04T19:29:29-05:00December 4th, 2023|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Boys & Girls Club Explores Japanese Cuisine in Unique Collaboration

Most of the preteens in the after-school program at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club had never tried Japanese food … much less cooked it. But through a collaboration of Table for Two, SHOWA Boston Institute, and the Boys & Girls Club, the youngsters are getting a taste of international cuisine.  Table for Two has been providing Japanese cooking classes for the Club’s preteens through its Wa-Shokuiku program, a unique food education program in which American students learn about Japanese food and culture through hands-on activities. The SHOWA students, who are full-time Japanese college students attending school in Boston to learn about American culture, volunteer at the Club and are helping with the cooking classes. “It’s fun,” the Club kids agreed. “It’s [...]

17 11, 2023

Spotlight: Erin LaMonica

2023-11-17T10:16:59-05:00November 17th, 2023|Categories: Education|Comments Off on Spotlight: Erin LaMonica

Since May, Erin LaMonica has been employed as the Community Initiatives Coordinator by the South Boston Neighborhood House (the SBNH) on H Street.  Erin’s position is funded with a three-year grant to the SBANP (South Boston Association of Non-Profits) from a Tufts Medical program, which is specifically named “The Tufts Community Benefits and Health Equity Project”.  In her capacity as Coordinator, she reports directly to Kathy Lafferty, the SBNH’s Executive Director.  Erin has learned a lot in her six months here.  Nowadays, she frequently refers to the SBNH as the “Ollie”, an affectionate nickname derived from Olivia James, the SBNH’s Founder. As the Community Initiative Coordinator, Erin has responsibilities that involve many of the “Ollie’s” and SBANP’s community-driven initiatives.  In a neighborhood as active as [...]

5 08, 2023

Back Home

2023-08-05T11:10:21-04:00August 5th, 2023|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Back Home

Josh Davis Returns to Southie to Take Helm at Boys & Girls Club By Ginger DeShaney Josh Davis’ career has come full circle. His first job after graduating from Tulane with a degree in Sociology was Education Director at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club from 2001-2007. He then held several other positions with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including Director at the Orchard Gardens and Dearborn Clubs, before coming back to Southie to replace Harry Duvall as Executive Director.  “Ever since I was able to work, I was working with children in some capacity,” said Josh, who credits his passion to his parents. “Just the idea of giving back to the community has always been instilled in me since [...]

28 07, 2023

Smooth Sailing

2023-07-28T11:49:46-04:00July 28th, 2023|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Smooth Sailing

Harry McDonough Sailing Center’s Free Program Unlocks Ocean's Magic for Local Youth By Ginger DeShaney It may just be the most unique summer experience for youths in South Boston. Or anywhere else, for that matter. The nonprofit Harry McDonough Sailing Center, in existence since 1972, spreads the love of sailing and the ocean by teaching youngsters how to sail. For free. The center’s mission is to provide inner-city youth with a fun, safe, and accessible environment while promoting positive life skills and values through sailing. There are sailing lessons in the morning and open sailing in the afternoon. There’s also swimming (in a designated area), paddleboarding, kayaking, friendship, and so much more. “It's an amazing activity to do in the summer,” said Wil Hingston, assistant [...]

30 06, 2023

South Boston Graduate: Mae Lafferty

2023-06-30T09:34:52-04:00June 30th, 2023|Categories: Education|Comments Off on South Boston Graduate: Mae Lafferty

Determination, teamwork, and commitment have been, and will undoubtedly continue to be values of this Matignon High 2023 graduate. Heading to New England College in Henniker, NH, Mae, 18, will be leaving her lifelong home in South Boston as she optimistically launches the next stage. “I expect to be homesick, 100 percent,” she said, “It’s a bit scary, especially being in another state, but the independence will be fun, and It’s a place I can continue with sports, and being on my own will be good.” In addition to earning the highest average in her history class, Mae plays hockey and lacrosse and received an award for excellence in the two sports. She plans to major in Sports Management and possibly minor in Athletic Training/Kinesiology. [...]

26 06, 2023

South Boston Graduate: Quantae Blakey

2023-06-26T11:57:00-04:00June 26th, 2023|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on South Boston Graduate: Quantae Blakey

Eighteen-year-old Excel High School graduate Quantae Blakey loved English and Science, but beyond academics learned how to persist with dignity in less-than-ideal circumstances. He moved to South Boston from Lynn to live with his father three years ago and has had more adjustments than many adults know in a lifetime. He quickly named at least seven places he lived, including family shelters and with relatives. “Graduation is something I wanted to do for my dad, Derick Blakey,” he said. He also knows it may help his future. “I love to cook, so I hope something like that can work out. Not so much customer service, but the culinary arts part is one of my goals.” “I’ve been isolated most of my life,” said Quantae. “I [...]

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