Issuu

EAST BOSTON SOCIAL CENTERS Annual Celebration of Community Program Book 7:00 pm

Dear Friends, Thank you for joining us for Joy:us! Tonight, we celebrate joy and resiliency in these unprecedented times. And we celebrate the unprecedented response that our incredible communities have mounted.

community much closer to the vision of all children entering Kindergarten thriving, joyful and ready to learn.

We are proud and honored to recognize Speaker Robert DeLeo this evening with our Courageous Leadership Award. A native son of East Boston, Speaker Robert DeLeo ensured continued growth in support for the early education and care system throughout his tenure—making a real difference for our teachers, families and children. With the speaker and our guide Cheryl Fiandaca, you’ll have a chance to see East Boston in a whole new way. We are thrilled to bring you into our communities and our organization to see the incredible change and progress we have been experiencing. Our event features footage from four Social Centers locations: one still under construction, another new to us last year, and the other two significantly renovated in the past twenty months. All renovations are in service of Early Learners and the Bright Minds School Age Program. These renovations and moves ultimately are enabling us to provide early education to 16 additional children. We feature an interview from Ebeline, one of our Joyful Eastie Youth Council Thriving Teens with the award-winning Loretta LaRoche. The innovative Joyful Eastie Youth Council youth leadership and work program is just over two years old. Our Active Adults are part of a program that has just returned to in-person programming options—and that is continuing to grow in offerings and the number of participants. Our Parent Partners come to you from the East Boston Family Engagement Network and Every Child Shines; we have recently received support to enable us to grow these programs by a factor of 6: moving our

We have important stories to tell—and tonight we are thrilled to share with you our brand refresh—which will help us all tell the story more impactfully. None of this work would be possible without our hardworking, dedicated, passionate, talented staff; our committed, brilliant board members; or our proud, loyal community. Please enjoy the evening. Thank you for your steadfast support which makes all this work possible. Together, we are building a more tight-knit, joyful and thriving community and creating a model that can have ripples of impact far beyond our communities. (And please donate: eastiejoy.us) Sincerely,

Justin Pasquariello

Our Community At East Boston Social Centers, we know that when small acts of kindness are multiplied, it can strengthen a community—and that has never been truer than in the past year. Your acts of kindness strengthened and supported us during this COVID pandemic: they enabled us to distribute groceries and hot meals to seniors and families with children; purchase formula and diapers for moms; and provide emergency funds for rent, utilities, internet, and other costs for those who are unemployed, or are unable to work. Children are safely back in our pre-school, school age and teen program classrooms, on track with their learning while their parents work, learn, and/or secure new employment. And this is cause for celebration! For over 100 years, residents of East Boston have gathered at the Social Centers to do just that, and this year we continue the tradition virtually and in watch parties, to celebrate one another and all that we cherish about our hometown. Join us for Joy:us, a celebration of community. Together, with your support in the coming year, we will rebound with resiliency and joy: we will open state-of-the-art infant/toddler center where we will serve more children to better meet the needs of the community; move closer to having every child enter Kindergarten ready to learn, joyful and thriving; and enable school age children to close opportunity gaps in learning exacerbated by the pandemic. Your engagement will also help our teen leaders support each other’s mental and emotional health, assist our older adults to reconnect in person, and continue to make for certain that community members’ basic needs are met. Now, as we head into our new normal, we must acknowledge that for many, ‘normal’ wasn’t that great pre-pandemic, and a return to the status quo will mean renewed hardships. Investments in this event will ensure that East Boston Social Centers will continue to carry on the work to provide the necessary resources to help our community thrive with joy—always, in all ways.

About East Boston Social Centers East Boston Social Centers is a multi-service agency and community center that cultivates community, belonging, and joy. Founded in 1918 to welcome and support immigrant families, the East Boston Social Centers continues to proudly embrace “welcome” in all we do. Our core services range across educational, social, and recreational programs to support the diverse community of East Boston and our neighbors of all ages. Each year, we provide direct programming for 3,000+ children, teens, and adults, with an additional 30,000+ people benefitting from our meeting spaces and community events.

Honoring Robert A. DeLeo

University Fellow for Public Life, Northeastern University Massachusetts House of Representatives Speaker

Speaker DeLeo talking with Arzu Fazio-Eynullayeva, 4, one of the young artists whose drawing is featured in the Courageous Leadership Award.

A favorite son from East Boston, his family roots run deep throughout our neighborhoods. It was the love and support of our tight-knit community that launched him to become one of the most powerful political leaders in the Commonwealth. Please join us to celebrate this remarkable man.

Honorary Co-Chairs

Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Ret.

Congressman Joe Kennedy

Lauren Kennedy

Speaker Ron Mariano

Honorary Committee

Senator Joe Boncore

Representative Jessica Ann Giannino

Councilor Lydia Edwards

Chair Adrian Madaro

Jeffrey Sanchez

Chair Aaron Michlewitz

Representative Jeff Turco

Event Co-Chairs

R. Robert Popeo, Chairman, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Saritin Rizzuto, Vice President Emerging Markets & Community Relations, Metro Credit Union

Damian Szary, Principal, Redgate

Event Committee

Board of Directors

Jeff Bellows Liz Bradley William J. Eddy Mimi and Paul LaCamera Robert Lewis, Jr. Manny Lopes Chuck Longfield Sarah and Josh Muncey Thomas O’Brien Fabricio Paes Justin Pasquariello & Vanessa Fazio Dannielle Pinson Tom Rosa John Schwagerl Steve Tocco Arthur Winn

Kiara Alvarez Assia Bouaou Tiffany Brown-Grier Sandra Caggiano Debra Cave Luisa Coppola Liana LaMattina Fabricio Paes Rob Pyles Ronaldo Rauseo-Ricupero Saritin Rizzuto Jason Ruggiero John C. Schwagerl Peter Scolaro Damian Szary Thomas Tassinari Joseph J. Tozza Ben Vainer

Loretta LaRoche & Ebeline Oliva

Loretta LaRoche Internationally acclaimed Stress Expert, Humorist, Author, Speaker and TV personality, Loretta LaRoche will be in conversation with Teen Leader from EBSC’s Joyful Eastie Initiative, Ebeline Oliva.

Ebeline Oliva Ebeline Oliva is a 15 year-old student at East Boston High School and an active member of our Thriving Teens Program and Joyful Eastie Youth Council: an East Boston Social Centers leadership development and job program.

Sponsor Recognition Joy in Generosity Sponsors Arthur M. Winn

Joy in Connection Sponsors R. Robert Popeo

Don and Pam Hawley, in honor of Gloria DeVine

Joy in Giving Sponsors

Rob Pyles &

Sponsor Recognition Joy in Receiving Sponsors

Chuck & Susie Longfield Damian Szary Mimi & Paul LaCamera

Joy in Friendship Sponsors The Boston Foundation

Community Care Cooperative Dellbrook Construction

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center East Boston Savings Bank

Metro Credit Union

New England Development Regina M. Pisa Spinelli’s

Vanessa & Justin Pasquariello

Kearney, Donovan & McGee, P.C.

Simple Joys Sponsors Kiara Alvarez

Massachusetts Business Roundtable

Bulgroup Properties LP

Nurtury Early Education

ART Payroll

Sandra Caggiano

Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Ret. Community Teamwork

McPhail Associates, LLC Ocean Havens

Red Sox Foundation

DLA Piper

Ronaldo Rauseo Ricupero and Fabricio Paes

First Financial Trust

Loretta LaRoche

Italian American Alliance (IAA)

Silverman Trykowski Associates

Elliot Whittier Insurance Services The Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester Joanne Y. Jaxtimer Consulting & Liz Page Associates Joy Street Design

Lino Rullo

John Schwagerl

Universal Benefits Plan

Valley Opportunity Council

Thank You To Our Staff and Video Participants Staff

Video Participants

Kirsten Archer Mirza Barreintos Brenda Bengoche Giuseppina Bonasera Cerlyn Cantave Lorraine Clougherty Michele D’Ambrosio Gloria Devine Caitlin Dimino Marisa DiPietro Wilhelmina Graff Maria Hernan Anna Ricci Mejia Keegan O’Keefe Carmen Oliva Dawn Panos Toni Garadozzi Quinn Anthony Rivera Trina Torres Danisse Vega-Marroquin Karen Zelya

Brenda Bengoche Debra Cave Speaker Robert A. DeLeo Maria de Leon Bill Eddy Cheryl Fiandaca Hillary Goodridge Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Ret. Loretta LaRoche Adrian Madaro & Matteo Ron Mariano Adrianna Mejia Mejia-Savedra Family Ebeline Oliva Fabricio Paes Erica Patino-Emiliano Juana Perez-Dagoberto Bob Popeo Ronaldo Rauseo-Ricupero Saritin Rizzuto Yuli Sepulveda-Celeste Damian Szary

And thank you to all of our other staff who make our work possible every day!

In Memoriam Ann A. Albano

John L. Forbes

Brendalee Arciero-Scolaro

Elaine M. Harder

James Vincent Cali

Dolores (DeRuosi) LaMattina

Angela C. Camarro

Francis E. Libby

Eleanor P. Cambria

Cheryl Ann Mullen

Peter D. Cardinale

Diva Panos

Marie R. Cavallaro

Maria Pino

Ann M. Colvario

Victor R. Popeo

Marjorie Virginia (Anderson) Colwell

V. James Popeo

Edith G. De Angelis D.Ed.

Robert F. Rossi

Angelina M. DeLeo

Deborah Jean “Jeannie” Spinazola

Theresa M. “Terry” De Simone

Gail Stoltz

Lena S. Ferreri

Diane CL (Longfield) Totten

Judge Joseph V. Ferrino, Sr.

William Henry Yeomans Jr.

Marianne P. Folsom

Our condolences go out to everyone who has lost loved ones.

January 1, 2018 August 26, 1959 ~ September 24, 2021 October 31, 1937 ~ October 4, 2021 March 20, 2020

February 20, 1929 ~ August 30, 2020 March 22, 1924 ~ February 9, 2021 February 9, 2021 July 9, 2020

September 6, 1938 ~ October 10, 2020 March 22, 1929 ~ February 28, 2021 February 6, 1931 ~ June 29, 2020 February 3, 1926 ~ January 23, 2020 August 26, 1023 ~ June 17, 2021

November 9, 1926 ~ November 22, 2020 July 31, 1933 ~ August 14, 2021

November 24, 2020 December 8, 2020

October 20, 1935 ~ February 10, 2021 March 1, 2021

August 16, 1956 ~ September 27, 2021 October 26, 2021 May 29, 1956 ~ August 30, 2021 May 9, 1936 ~ April 30, 2021 December 23, 2020 August 9, 1948 ~ March 2, 2020 December 5, 2019 May 18, 2021 June 11, 2021

November 1, 1937 ~ October 29, 2021

Steve Roy, Elliot Whittier Insurance

Silverman Trykowski Associates

Birgitta Damon, LEO

Guild of St. Agnes

Rob Pyles, Audissey Media

Michael Caljouw, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Dennis Kearney

Celebrating Eastie R. Robert Popeo, Mintz, and ML Strategies are proud to support the

East Boston Social Centers — welcoming neighbors from all walks of life as members of the Eastie family since 1918.

Congratulations to this evening’s honoree, former Speaker Robert A. DeLeo.

GOOD

WELCOMES Eastern Bank is committed to recognizing the good in our communities and celebrating the work of

EAST BOSTON SOCIAL CENTERS We proudly support the ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY Congratulations to Speaker Robert DeLeo

Member FDIC

Thank You To Our Production Team

ADAM BASTIEN

DESIGN

Thank you to the Ruggiero Family for donating tonight’s registration prize!