Wellesley fair housing case settled

April 23, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Attorney General Maura Healey earlier this month announced resolutions her office reached in four housing discrimination cases, including one in Wellesley. The AG’s office reported that prospective tenants were refused housing from real estate brokers and agencies based on their receipt of public assistance.

“Rental assistance programs play a critical role in ensuring economic stability for families and residents across Massachusetts – especially our underserved and disadvantaged communities,” said AG Healey, in a statement. “These resolutions send a message that the housing industry cannot refuse to rent to residents because of who they are or whether they receive public assistance, and my office will take action against those who do.”

The AG’s Office alleges that in January 2021, a family with an enhanced housing subsidy was looking for a new home. A housing counselor who was working with the family contacted Haynes Management about a property owned by Haynes Family LLC in Wellesley. Haynes Management staff informed the housing counselor that they did not take Section 8 vouchers. The housing counselor subsequently reported the refusal to the Attorney General’s Office, which investigated.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Haynes entities have agreed to develop and implement a fair housing policy, train staff on fair housing laws, add fair housing language to rental advertisements, and advertise rental units on commonly used internet sites in order to increase visibility of rental properties, including to prospective tenants with Section 8 vouchers. Haynes will also be prohibited from imposing a minimum income requirement on a tenant if the tenant receives a rental or housing subsidy. The Haynes entities also paid $25,000 in restitution and penalties.

Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade to honor Purple Heart recipients

March 17, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend and the 54th Annual Veterans Parade are fast approaching, and organizers are asking for the public’s support on a number of fronts.

The parade will honor local recipients of the Purple Heart, which is awarded to U.S. military members wounded or killed while serving. The committee is searching for surviving Purple Heart recipients to honor.

Having just held a COVID-delayed parade and Wonderful Weekend in October, the Celebrations Committee seeks to restock funding for the upcoming festivities. Donations as well as sponsorships, volunteers, honoree nominations, and parade participation are encouraged.

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Wellesley charity news: Shortbread supports Ukraine; Restaurants return to Nourishing Wellesley; Marathon fundraisers; Int’l Women’s Day volunteers

March 15, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Wellesley, Mass., charity & fundraising news:

Quebrada bakes to support Ukraine

Quebrada is making a special cookie of the Ukrainian flag and all purchases of this shortbread snack will benefit World Central Kitchen‘s efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. “WCK is currently in Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary, making fresh meals for people fleeing Ukraine, as well as supporting Ukrainian restaurants preparing meals for those who have stayed behind. Cookies are sold by the piece and can be pre-ordered or just picked up in the store,” Quebrada’s Emilie tells us. (Hat tip to reader LR on this news.)

Nourishing Wellesley offers grab-and-go meals for those in need

Wellesley restaurants are offering healthy grab-and-go meals for those in need through a program funded by the state and administered by the Charles River Regional Chamber.

Last year, during the height of the pandemic, the program delivered some 2,500 meals

From March to June, eligible families can pick up prepared meals at sites throughout Wellesley, including the Barton Road Community Room on Thursdays between 5-5:30 p.m. Wellesley Food Pantry participants can register for the program through the pantry.For more information, contact Nourishing Wellesley coordinator Maura Renzella at [email protected]

Participating restaurants include:

Wellesley 2022 Boston Marathon charity runners

Check out some of this year’s Boston Marathon charity runners who either live here or are running for Wellesley organizations.

International Women’s Day volunteers

Cradles to Crayons celebrated International Women’s Day with a volunteer event at its Newton warehouse during which donated items were inspected, sorted, and packaged for distribution to children living in homeless and low-income situations in the Greater Boston area. Among the volunteers was the Nielsen family of Wellesley. Cradles to Crayons partnered with Weymouth-based nonprofit South Shore Stars, an early education, youth development nonprofit.

Nielsen family — Charlotte and Ildi Nielsen of Wellesley (photo courtesy of Cradles to Crayons)

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Saint John School in Wellesley seeks medical supplies for Ukraine by Tuesday

February 28, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Saint John School in Wellesley is collecting medical supplies for Ukraine in light of the invasion. Supplies can be dropped off outside the main office at 9 Ledyard St., by Tuesday, March 1, as a plane departs on Wednesday with the donated medical supplies.

Update 3/3/22: St. John School was included in a couple of local news reports, one about the donations and another on teaching kids about the Russian invasion.

If you are a member of the medical community and/or have access to medical supplies, please consider donating the following: bandages, trauma dressings, gloves, IV starter kits, medical scissors, ibuprofen, Tylenol, antibiotic cream, eye wash, burn aid, or antiseptics. More details are in the embedded document at the bottom of this post.

A Saint John School family recently returned to the United States after living in Ukraine for four months, and is now part of an organized effort to get supplies to those in need. Parent Renata Konrad worked at the Ukrainian Catholic University, which has transformed into a refuge

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Spots open to join Wellesley civil discourse series focused on values

January 18, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Members of the Wellesley community are invited to join an online civil discourse series focused on discussing values.

The three-part dialogue series will take place via Zoom on Jan. 27, Feb. 3, and Feb. 17 from 7-9pm, and participants are asked to commit to being there for all three meetings. Pre-registration required by Jan. 21, or sooner, if capacity is reached. The free program, supported by a grant, is geared toward adults and older teens.

According to the town, “The series will explore the personal values and community values that shape how we talk to each other about issues facing our schools and our community. In small discussion groups, participants will create communication agreements and practice engaging on a topic about which there may be differences of opinion or perspective.

Just in time as town election campaigning gets underway.

The Wellesley Civil Discourse Initiative launched in March 2021.

For information or questions, please email [email protected]

Wellesley first responders hold annual holiday & Christmas party for Housing Authority

January 4, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

From the Wellesley Police Department:

2021 Holiday Party 1 police housing authority — Officer Santa, and Winnie

Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wellesley Police Department hosted its annual Wellesley Housing Authority Holiday and Christmas party in December.

The party is put on for children living in Wellesley Housing Authority residences. Typically, the party occurs at the Wellesley Police Station, and features food, entertainment, presents, along with a visit from Santa Claus. With the advent of COVID, the department shifted to a mobile operation in 2020, and brought the party to the Wellesley Housing Authority in the form of a parade and gift deliveries.

The 2021 party was enhanced and improved, and featured a parade, with Santa riding on a fire truck escorted by a long line of police cruisers. Each family then got a chance to meet and take a photo with Santa in a socially distant and COVID-19 responsible way. Pizza, hot chocolate, and a present were provided to everyone.

Wellesley Police Officer Travis Dixon coordinates the annual event with help from Wellesley Housing Deputy Director Jacqueline Sullivan. Prior to the party, Dixon collects donated gifts and gets them wrapped, as well as handles logistics. Sergeant Brian Spencer, Officer Kathy Poirier, Officer Tana DiCenso with Comfort Care Dog Winnie, Officer Mark Knapp, Officer Brian Collins (wearing a red and white suit…), Officer Mark DeBernardi, Officer Stephen Gaffney, and Sergeant Mike Lemenager all helped make big contributions to ensure everyone was happy during the party.

As always, the party and Santa were popular with the children. The department sincerely hopes that it will be hosting the Annual Wellesley Housing Authority Holiday Party back at the Wellesley Police Station in 2022!