Urban Update 
The monthly newsletter of the UMass Dartmouth
Urban Initiative
December 2013
This month's newsletter features a new section that we'll be including from time to time: 'recommended reading.' Here we'll be linking to reports and articles related to urban policy issues in our region and statewide that we find interesting, relevant, and educational.

We share articles and reports like these in real-time via Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to follow us there if you'd like more content like this. And, as always, get in touch if there's something you'd like us to help circulate!
SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project
Homelessness has reached an all-time high in MA, which is all the more problematic given the approach of winter. Learn about the situation in our two cities through the SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project, with data recently updated to reflect homelessness among city students:
From the blog
  • Wondering what we're working on this month? Read about our current projects here.  
  • Katya reflects on recently released teacher evaluation data and provides a unique analysis of ratings by school for Fall River and New Bedford in this post.  
  • Colleen follows up on her post comparing cities' use of Commonwealth Connect/SeeClickFix with a how-to post on using this smartphone app/website to notify Fall River and New Bedford officials about things like potholes, graffiti, and faded crosswalks. 
Recommended reading

Here are some recently published articles and reports we suggest perusing:

EDUCATION

HEALTH

  • Southcoast Health System's 2013 Community Needs Assessment, developed by the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis in partnership with the Urban Initiative  
  • Our colleague, David Borges, penned this op-ed about our survey of New Bedford public housing residents about smoking behavior and attitudes  

HOUSING

  • Homelessness reaches record levels in MA, according to this Boston Globe article (which includes comment from our own Dept. of Public Policy Chair Michael Goodman)

Have you read--or written--something we should share here? Get in touch! 

 Grants

Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb w/grants for community gardens - deadline: 12/31    

Grants of $5,000 in cash and tools will go to ten nonprofits improving their neighborhoods with community gardening projects. Learn more here.   

 

Blackstone Charitable Foundation w/RFP for Veteran Employment - deadline: 1/14/14  

Grants will be awarded to organizations that support Veterans in building successful careers following active military service. Awards will range from $10-50,000. Full RFP available here.

BoatUS grants for safe/clean boating - deadline: 1/15/14
Grants of up to $10,000 available to nonprofits, boating clubs, and student groups to use innovative approaches to education about safe and clean boating. Click here for RFP.
 Job opportunities
Do you need help getting the word out about a job opportunity? Send us your announcement and we'll share it here.

People, Incorporated (multiple opportunities)
Fall River's People, Incorporated is looking to fill multiple positions across their community, child, and family services program as well as their adult services program. All open positions are listed here.

Development Associate, Junior Achievement of Southern MA
This part-time position involves raising funds through foundations, corporations, and individuals. At least 2 years of development experience required; for full job description, click here.

Program Coordinator, PACE YouthBuild (New Bedford)
This is a full-time, AmeriCorps-supported position that will coordinate YouthBuild's community partnerships and service-learning opportunities. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have earned college credits or a degree, and hold a valid driver's license. Full job description is available here.

Director of Development, Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
This full-time position will involve building a comprehensive development strategy for the Z. Applicants should have 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and a Bachelor's degree. Job description available here.
In this issue:
SouthCoast Indicators
From the blog
Recommended reading
Grants
Jobs




 About the Urban Initiative:

 

The UI is a division of the Center for Policy Analysis that addresses challenges and opportunities in the region's smaller industrial cities, with a particular emphasis on Fall River and New Bedford.  

 

In addition to conducting applied research, evaluating programs and policies, facilitating collaborations, and providing technical assistance to cities and organizations therein, the Urban Initiative serves as a knowledge base for urban policy issues in the region.

 

Perhaps most importantly, our work to support cities supports UMass Dartmouth students. Graduate and undergraduate students enjoy the opportunity to apply their coursework in the field by serving as paid staff and interns. If you are or know of a UMass Dartmouth student who wants to work with the Urban Initiative, get in touch!


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Contact us!
 
Phone:
508-910-6407

Email: urbaninitiative@umassd.edu

Mail:
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Website: http://www.umassd.edu/urbaninitiative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbaninitiative

Twitter: @UrbanUMassD 



Urban Initiative staff

Project Manager:
Colleen Dawicki

Graduate research assistants:
Robert Golder 
Katya Starostina

Undergraduate research assistant:
Mike McCarthy

Undergraduate intern:
Bethany Turek