CSHCA COMMUNITY BENEFITS COMMITTEE January 18, 2024
A sample budget for use of $750,000 in community development funds for CSHCA
Goal: Use dollars over three years to strengthen the community by increasing involvement by residents in local activities, building relationships between residents, informing residents of issues facing the community and proposed developments in the community, of opportunities for residents to participate in beneficial activities and programs, and to support residents in use of community resources, such as schools, sports leagues, daycare centers, cultural events, etc.
Allocation is approximately $250,000 per year, with a plan to raise funds to continue past the third year.
Year 1 Budget Plan
Consultant to provide support for community in dealing with
development proposals and actions taken to support the community in
ensuring that development aligns with community’s vision for itself. $100,000
Creation of a Coalition of area organizations to demand Comprehensive
Planning from the city and state.
Support of Committees of CSHCA and their programs $ 40,000
Staff for support of actions and activities of CSHCA $ 85,000
Including new initiatives and programs, such as:
- Organizing communication network to reach all residents,
and creating and informing residents of activities in the
neighborhood, crreating lists of plumbers, electricians, etc.
- Neighborhood discovery program*
- Greening the neighborhood support for residents seeking
to add heat pumps, increasing tree canopy, recycling, etc.
- Neighborhood support groups for starting, discussing and navigating
educational opportunities, schools, daycare centers, sports
leagues, sewing groups, cultural experiences, cooking classes, etc.
Special projects or actions to be determined by community as well as
operating costs such as accounting help and insurance $ 25,000
*Neighborhood discovery program is an idea on how to introduce CSHCA residents to their own community and build relationships to CSHCA and to neighbors. Ideas include asking institutions and locations in the community to have open houses and/or tours, perhaps once a month or more often. Some ideas: Dorchester Historical Society, tours of local schools (Cristo Rey, Boston Collegiate, BC High, BPS schools, et al), tours of yacht clubs, churches, major buildings, restaurants, Boys and Girls Club, Uphams Corner Burial Ground, arts centers, Edward Everett Sq. tour, UMass, etc.