Urban Update 
The monthly newsletter of the UMass Dartmouth
Urban Initiative
March 2014
Regardless of the weather, the Urban Initiative has already started thinking about summer--and not because that means vacation. Instead, this tends to be one of our busiest seasons. Along with a deep portfolio of projects underway, we'll say goodbye to Katya and Bob, our graduate research assistants who will become Masters of Public Policy in May. (Are any of our readers hiring?)

We're asking our UMass Dartmouth colleagues as well as the SouthCoast community to help us fulfill our staffing needs. Not only are we looking for undergraduate and graduate students to join our team, but we're also starting to think about recruitment for our high school internship program, now in its third year. In addition to interns, we'll  need a project for them to undertake. Last year's team produced this report on college access: a tough act to follow, but we're sure our recruits will be up for the task. Thanks in advance for your good ideas and referrals!

SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project
Substance abuse--and opioid use in particular--has been dominating the news in Massachusetts and beyond. SCUIP has city-specific data on the scope of these challenges.

Lots more data is available on these cities at southcoastindicators.org. 

From the blog
  • Katya continues to think critically about charter schools and what matters when it comes to measuring school performance. This post includes details on the recent approval of high school charter seats in Fall River. 
  • The blog has been relatively quiet this month, thanks in a large part to our heavy work load. This March project update details the work that's keeping us busy. 
Events

What: UMass Dartmouth Leduc Center for Civic Engagement film screening and panel (featuring the UI's own Bob Golder) on hunger in the SouthCoast
When: TONIGHT! Wednesday, 3/5, 5:30-8:30p
Where: Grand Reading Room of the Claire T. Carney Library, UMass Dartmouth

What: MA Nonprofit Network hosts nonprofit public policy roundtable meeting to discuss ways to strengthen the sector
When: Friday, March 14, 8:30-11a
Where: Fall River campus of Bristol Community College
Register: Register and learn more here
 
What: The Urban Initiative and MassINC host the SouthCoast Education Vision Forum, featuring a presentation on MassINC's recently released vision for education in Gateway Cities plus two panels of local education leaders and supporters
When: Friday, March 28, 8-10a
Where: UMass Dartmouth
Register: Seating is limited; contact Colleen Dawicki (cdawicki@umassd.edu) if you would like to attend.

Want your event listed here? Send us an email with the details before the first of next month and we'll include it here. 

 Grants
   

General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids - Deadline: 3/14/14      

Five grants of $5,000 will go to nonprofits working to improve nutrition and physical fitness behaviors among youth between the ages of 2 and 18. Full RFP here.       

 

Amelia Peabody Foundation - Deadline: 4/15

Grants are available to Massachusetts organizations serving disadvantaged, inner-city youth. More details here.   

 

 Job opportunities

President and CEO, Cape & Islands United Way
"The new President and CEO will take the lead on fundraising and partner with the Board of Directors on the strategic planning and organizational oversight to help ensure that increased resources are available for the deeper investment in the health and well being of the residents of the Cape and Islands." Learn more here.

Multiple positions, Buzzards Bay Coalition
The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for four positions: Vice President-Development, Land Stewardship Director, Assistant Coordinator of Baywatchers Program, and Discovery Center Manager. More details here.
In this issue:
SouthCoast Indicators
From the blog
Events
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!


Like us on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter



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: