Boston's HUB for millenials
Posts about resources, programming and issues related to jobs and careers.
Boston-based startup Gozaik aggregates jobs found on Twitter and provides an online platform for young professionals and recent college grads to create an online resume. With the click of a button, you can upload your resume and transfer info into Gozaik’s colorful tiles and multimedia features allow you to record a personal video intro. Launch party with the talented team of Gozaiks this Wednesday at the Estate in Boston. Register here.
ONEin3 Council Member Bessie King Reflects on her experience with Mayor Menino and her desire to continue his legacy of bettering our city.
My family arrived in Massachusetts during Mayor Menino’s second term and Boston was not quite the attractive city it is today. We lived in the suburbs and it wasn’t until the time came for me to go to college in the city that I truly got to know Boston.
In my first two years, I learnt of our restrictive T-curfew and refused to photograph our infamous City Hall when friends came to visit from other schools. I was not impressed. By my last two years of college I became aware of the reputation shift certain parts of the city had, understood why retaining a younger demographic was integral to the city’s development and even got to enjoy the introduction of city-funded programs like bike-sharing. Boston changed, in my mind and in reality, within the ten years that I arrived, attended college and was beginning my master’s.
I became proud of being a Bostonian and grew a collection of sports teams, United Way or Paul Revere-circa the 2004 DNC, t-shirts that I still sport on weekends or vacations. What I had not realized until two years ago is that all this change happened thanks to our Mayor. For the past two years my family has been searching for space to relocate our food business due to redevelopment in the building we were located in. We searched for help everywhere, women’s groups, business associations, banks, real-estate agencies, far and wide across the city. We found a place but, unfortunately, our surrounding community did not feel comfortable with its location inside of a neighborhood block.
We were ready to give up until we met Mayor Menino at a non-profit event we catered. My mom, a direct and uninhibited Mexican woman, asked him pointedly if he could help her save our business during his greeting. He said, “Will I get free food?” and made her laugh. After taking out his business card and scribbling down his secretary’s name on it, he assured us he’d try his best to help us. That, he has.
The Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign is currently seeking volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Volunteer as a tax preparer, credit adviser, student aid mentor or cash adviser at any of the tax clinics located around the City.
Meet Dorchester ONEin3er Jason Andrade and learn more about this unique opportunity to give back to the community.
As a Financial Health Specialist at DotWell, Jason’s job is to promote financial health and independence in the community, which he does through Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign tax clinics. With 26 free tax sites throughout Boston, which are all staffed by volunteers, the EITC Coalition serves 12,000 taxpayers each year with free tax preparation services, credit advising, FAFSA coaching and benefits enrollment.
“A perfect day in my world is making an impact in the lives of the individuals I work with by informing them of opportunities they otherwise would not have been privy to,” says Andrade. “With at-risk youth, we discuss financial institutions in the community and all the different funding opportunities available for college so they understand it is possible to obtain higher education, no matter how difficult their personal life may be.”
During tax season, a large portion of Jason’s time is devoted to running the tax clinics at Codman Square Health Center and the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, where he promotes the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Earned Income Tax Credit allows many households to financially plan for several months in the year and creates flexibility and breathing room for households that are struggling to make ends meet.
“The City itself is a great hub for innovation, ideas, collaboration and volunteerism,” says Andrade. “And the collection of great colleges and public/private partnerships and organizations in the area makes Boston a vibrant city where many individuals can get involved and make an impact on their community in some meaningful way.”
Get Involved!
Get involved, or find out how you can benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign by visiting www.bostontaxhelp.org, or by visiting www.bostoncares.com to sign up for training to be a tax prepared or financial guide.
Applications are due January 25, 2020. Apply Here! Join Mayor Menino’s ONEin3 Council to collaborate with other civic-minded 20-34 year olds on projects designed to engage Boston’s young adult population. Think about where Boston is today and where it could be tomorrow. Discuss and identify ways in which Boston can grow as an inviting, connected, culturally rich and sustainable place for young adults. Maximize contributions made to the City by the 35% of Bostonians between the ages of 20-34, while connecting with your peers and shaping your city.
Council members serve a one year commitment, during which you will work in teams to create and implement projects aimed at building a sustainable future for young adults in Boston. From recent college grads and young entrepreneurs, to lifelong Bostonians and new parents, Boston is home to young adults from all walks of life. Monthly meetings will bring together a group of engaged citizens with unique perspectives on their experience in Boston.
