The Boston Public Health Commission, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, have launched a program to engage Boston’s vibrant network of civic groups in improving emergency preparation at the neighborhood and family levels.

In March, 2006 Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the 19 recipients of the City of Boston’s neighborhood emergency planning grants. The neighborhood grants, which total $152,000, will allow community based organizations to identify vulnerable populations, educate residents about the City’s emergency plans, and assist city officials in identifying areas that may require additional planning and resources.

Grantees will:

• Hold community meetings to inform residents about the city’s emergency plans.
• Educate residents about how to develop their own emergency preparations, including emergency kits and communication plans.
• Strengthen the city’s ability to communicate with residents during an emergency.
• Facilitate the distribution of 10,000 emergency starter kits for income-eligible residents.
• Identify issues in each neighborhood that require special attention in emergency planning by city officials

Some organizations are covering more than one neighborhood. For more information about activities planned for your neighborhood, contact the Office of Public Health Preparedness or one of the following organizations:

Grant Recipients

1. ABCD North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center (North End/West End/Beacon Hill): (617) 523-8125
2. Allston Brighton Healthy Boston Coalition (Allston/Brighton): (617) 782-3886
3. Boston Health Care for the Homeless (Citywide): (617) 414-7779
4. The Chinatown Coalition (Chinatown): (617) 635-5129 Ext: 1099
5. Codman Square NDC (Mid/South Dorchester): (617) 825-4224
6. East Boston Harborside Community School, Inc. (East Boston): (617) 635-5114
7. Healthy Roslindale Coalition (Roslindale): (617) 325-9022
8. JPC Tree of Life/Arbol de Vida (Jamaica Plain): (617) 522-4832
9. Mattapan Family Service Center (Mattapan): (617) 298-1785
10. MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center (Charlestown): (617) 724-8135
11. MissionWorks (Mission Hill/Roxbury): (617) 879-1620
12. Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (Back Bay/Fenway/Kenmore): (617) 247-3961
13. Project RIGHT (Grove Hall, Roxbury/Dorchester): (617) 541-5454 x103
14. South Boston FANS (South Boston): (617) 269-9331
15. United South End Settlements (South End): (617) 536-8610
16. Upham's Corner Health Center (North Dorchester): (617) 825-9205
17. Vietnamese American Civic Association (Fields Corner, Dorchester): (617) 288-7344
18. West Roxbury Public Safety Coalition (West Roxbury): (617) 365-2253
19. Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (Hyde Park): (617) 364-7300