Katie Kramer, the principal of South Boston’s Paraclete at 207 E St., promises that the 2016 annual reception will be an event to remember. Most significantly, Boston Police Department Commissioner and South Bostonian William “Billy” Evans will be honored for advances in effective urban policing. Paraclete offers tuition-free, community-based education enrichment aimed at middle school youth. Its annual reception is a key fundraiser and a hugely enjoyable Southie “time.”
Kaitlin “Katie” Kramer is from Brooklyn – the neighborhood of Gravesend near Coney Island to be exact. She has been with us here in South Boston for the past three years as an educator for the Paraclete at 207 E St. Her parents are Karen and Marylou, and she has a younger brother, Logan.
Katie attended the Fiorello LaGuardia (do you remember him?) Arts High School in New York City, and then came to Massachusetts. She received her degree in arts education from Hampshire College. She began working at the Paraclete as a summer intern in 2014, and then spent the next year teaching there as an Americorps volunteer.
As principal of Paraclete, Katie is vitally interested in the success of the upcoming Paraclete Annual Reception, the Paraclete’s major fundraiser, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Boston College High School.
The annual reception promises to be a real Southie “time” – lots of fun and enjoyment, in other words. The high point of the evening will be honoring Boston Police Department Commissioner William “Billy” Evans, who is also a born-and-brought-up South Bostonian. Many of you have likely seen the commissioner as he runs on Castle Island.
But more important is his professional track record. As Boston’s chief law enforcement officer, Evans not only holds one of Boston’s toughest jobs, he has also pioneered new police initiatives aimed at preventing crime before it happens. His policing has attracted nationwide attention.
If you are new to South Boston, the Paraclete Reception is one good way to become better acquainted. Several of Boston’s City Councilors will be there, including South Boston’s own Bill Linehan and At-Large Councilor Michael Flaherty. Lt. Gov. Karen Polito has accepted an invitation also. Given Congressman Steve Lynch’s Washington duties, he’s a “maybe,” but who knows?
You’ll also see Mayor Martin J. Walsh at the reception. Be sure to introduce yourself to him as well. Last year, he auctioned off a brace of “Breakfasts with Marty” – which reminds us to mention the reception’s Silent Auction. The reception’s Co-Chairs, Patrick Bradley, Michael Burke and Timothy Stanton, have assembled a silent auction that lets you bid on golf at Cohasset’s private clubs, a spot in the Boston Marathon, a year at a local boxing gym, tickets to Blue Man Group, and much more.
Southie “times” all operate on the same principle: “Do well by doing good!” They are not just memorable, fun events. The Paraclete, founded by Sr. Ann Fox and Barry Hynes, supports educational enrichment and maturity in robotics, fine/performing arts, culinary skills, philosophy, and those all-important reading and math programs for 60 budding middle-schoolers in small, seven-to-nine member classes.
For ticket information and purchases, visit paraclete.org/2016reception or call 617-268-5552. Your personal check should be made out to Paraclete Inc.
