Newsletter -
November 2014

We're excited to announce that the Urban Initiative has joined with the Center for Policy Analysis to become the Public Policy Center (PPC) at UMass Darmtouth!

Many months in the making, this transition has already resulted in increased capacity to do meaningful work through the full integration of the staff and projects of the UI and the CFPA. And most important to many of our readers, Gateway Cities--Fall River and New Bedford in particular--will continue to receive special attention from the PPC under the leadership of Colleen Dawicki, now our Director of Urban and Community Development. We hope you'll take a moment to learn more about this news by reading PPC Executive Director Michael Goodman's op-ed describing the process behind and goals of these changes in the Herald News, the Standard-Times, or the Taunton Gazette.

Continuing what the Urban Initiative started in December 2011, we'll keep you apprised of our projects, highlight data from our SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project, and share opportunities related to events, grants, and jobs through this monthly newsletter. Thanks for reading, and for your continued support of our work and our mission.

In the news

In addition to Mike Goodman's op-ed, the Standard-Times wrote this story about the PPC's launch.
The report of New Bedford's Regeneration Committee was formally issued last week, and Colleen Dawicki was on hand to represent the PPC (which provided technical support for the process) and to speak about the zoning reforms proposed by the committee.
The projects of our high school interns were featured in a Herald News story last month. Their work included studying the representativeness of elected officials in Fall River and New Bedford and an analysis of neighborhood quality in the same communities.

From the blog

Meet Trevor Mattos, our newest graduate assistant, and read his analysis of poverty data in Fall River and New Bedford.
Colleen Dawicki recently presented these slides on women and wages in New Bedford at the 7th Annual Leadership Breakfast of the Women's Fund of Southeastern MA.
Jason Wright blogs about the link between poverty and mental health, and the importance of context in political conversations about these topics.

Community event

Nonprofit fundraising workshop, sponsored by the UMass Dartmouth Center for University, School, and Community Partnerships (CUSP)
When: Saturday, November 15, 9:30-3:30
Where: Woodland Commons at UMass Dartmouth
Cost/registration: $75 (scholarships available); click here to learn more and register

Grant opportunity

TD Green Streets Program supports forestry projects in low-income neighborhoods - Deadline: 12/1
Ten municipalities will receive $20,000 grants to undertake neighborhood forestry projects in low- to moderate-income communities. Full RFP here.

Job opportunities

Lead Community Organizer, SouthCoast Energy Challenge
"The primary focus of the Lead Community Organizer will be to plan and oversee Energy Challenge direct and indirect community outreach, develop and coordinate a volunteer base, and manage the organizing interns. The position will be salaried, at a competitive rate, based on experience. The ideal candidate would commit to the Challenge for at least one year, ideally staying on board into the future...This position will start as early as February 4th, 2015." Learn more at this link.

Director of Development & Marketing, Boys and Girls Club of Taunton
"The Director of Development leads the planning and implementation of annual fundraising and communication strategies while monitoring progress against goals. Supports the Executive Director and Board to cultivate and solicit major gifts and grants as well as corporate, individual, and government funding. The Director manages a part-time Development Coordinator." Full job posting here.

Hiring? Let us know and we'll spread the word.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC POLICY CENTER:

The Public Policy Center (PPC) is UMass Dartmouth's applied social science research, technical assistance, and public service unit. The PPC's primary goal is to inform public policy discussions by providing policymakers with university quality research, technical assistance, and analytical services designed to help make our state, region, and communities better places to live, work, and do business. We do this by leveraging the substantial skills of our students and faculty partners, and enhancing the connections between the University and the communities it serves.

CONTACT US	PUBLIC POLICY CENTER STAFF
508-990-9660 ppc@umassd.edu 285 Old Westport Road North Dartmouth, MA 02747 www.umassd.edu/ppc Follow us on Twitter: @PublicPolicyCtr	Executive Director Michael Goodman, Ph.D. Director of Research & Administration David Borges, MPA Director of Urban & Community Development Colleen Dawicki, MPP	Assistant to Director Nancy Trudel Graduate research assistants: Michael P. McCarthy Trevor Mattos Jason Wright

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