Hyde Square Task Force
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A Letter to Our Community

 

February 24th, 2009

 

Dear Friends,

 

Facing a budget shortfall of over $3.1 billion, lawmakers in Massachusetts are seeking to close the gap by raising new revenue and cutting spending for many programs.

 

As youth, we know that these state dollars fund programs that improve our lives. Cutting these programs will mean less money to prevent and deal with violence in our communities and fewer opportunities for us to receive the mentoring and academic assistance that helps us succeed.

 

We would like to thank State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz for meeting with us and listening to us voice our concerns about the proposed cuts.

 

But that's not enough – we need you to raise your voice as well. Please call your State Representative and State Senator today and ask them to support the success and well-being of our youth and community by level-funding the initiatives below for both FY 2009 and FY 2010:

 

  • Department of Public Health Youth Violence Prevention Grants support prevention programs in 'hot spots' of gang and criminal activity which aim to stop the cycle of violence. (line item 4590-1506, level funding = $3.5 million)

 

  • Mentoring Matching Grants help pair youth in our community with adult mentors who provide us with homework assistance, tutoring, and college and career counseling. (line item 7061-9634, level funding = $520,443)

 

  • Massachusetts Cultural Council’s YouthReach funds provide arts programs that engage youth in the arts, a proven factor in reducing at-risk behavior and improving academic success.  (line item 0640-300, level funding = $549,459)

 

  • Summer jobs for youth at-risk employ countless teens across the Commonwealth, providing them with work experience and a paycheck, and engaging them in positive activities all summer long. (line item 7002-0012, level funding = $9.1 million) 

 

  • Latino After School Initiative supports after school and teen development initiatives for Latino youth which encourage their personal development and academic success.  (line item 7027-0016, level funding = $250,000, line item 7003-0702, level-funding = $150,000)

 

Spending cuts are only half the story -- lawmakers will be looking for new revenue to help make up the budget shortfall. To help fully fund programs for us and hundreds of young people like us, please call your State Representative and State Senator and encourage them to support new state level taxes, including a meals tax, hotel tax, and telecommunications tax. Please also encourage your legislators to allow Boston to raise additional revenue through local taxes.

 

We have spoken--now we're asking that you speak for us!

 

Find out who your State Representative and Senator are here.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Youth of the Hyde Square Task Force