In 2018 Massachusetts passed a law “to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement” requiring every student to complete a civics project during high school designed to help you: • Analyze complex issues; • Consider different points of view; • Make logical arguments and support claims using valid evidence; • Engage in civil discourse with those who hold opposing views, and • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships that federal, state, and local policies have here in Chelsea.
Chelsea Edition Engagement Civic Students Pocket Guide
masscivics.com/chelsea
The Civics Guide has been donated to the Chelsea Public Schools by the Resnek and Jarmak Families.
Emergency Hotlines for MA Teenagers
High School Life Can Be Stressful! It’s not unusual for teenagers to experience anxiety and stress during their time at high school. Consider talking with your school’s Guidance Counselor, or any of these local and national resources that may be helpful:
Suicide Prevention
Emotional Crisis
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 Network of local crisis centers available 24/7 for emotional crisis . National Suicide Hotline 988 (call or text)
Samaritan Statewide Helpline 877-870-4673 For Massachusetts residents, call or text the helpline to receive non-religious emotional support. Mass Behavioral Healthline 833-773-2445 For Massachusetts residents, text or call 24/7 to connect to clinical help for emergency crisis services . You can also use their online live chat feature: www.masshelpline.com Hey Sam 877-832-0890 or 439-726 (call or text) Youth staffed youth crisis hotline. National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts 617-580-8541 An excellent webpage to help you navigate a mental health crisis or support someone else who is experiencing a mental health crisis: www.namimass.org/in-a-crisis
LGBTQ+ Focus
The Trevor Project 866-488-7386 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. You can also text “Trevor” to 202-304-1200 for support, or receive support via the online chat feature on the Trevor Project’s website: www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help The Network/La Red 800-832-1901 For support regarding LGBT domestic or dating violence.
Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence
MA Substance Abuse Helpline 800-327-5050 Naloxone (Narcan) is a nasal spray that can often prevent opioid overdose deaths. It is carried by local Police and Fire Departments.
SafeLink 877-785-2020 SafeLink is for anyone who is being affected by domestic violence or dating violence.
Emergency Hotlines
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement Chelsea Edition A Resource for Completing Your Civic Action Project Requirement This Pocket Guide includes the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights
Andrea Laufer, Publisher
Laura Toch, Graphic Designer
Published by North American Newspaper Holdings, LLC.
This Pocket Guide is made possible by Josh Resnek and Arnie Jarmak’s longstanding commitment to the families and students of Chelsea.
This Pocket Guide is not connected to any public agency. While we do our best to assure that all information herein is up-to-the-minute, the data does change quickly and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of all details beyond our date of publication. Any corrections will be included in subsequent editions and added live to www.masscivics.com.
Students: Share Your Experiences with Us!
How did you use the Pocket Guide to help complete your project? Was someone especially helpful in completing your project?
We will showcase submissions on masscivics.com/chelsea.
Copyright © 2024 North American Newspaper Holdings, LLC
Title Page | 1
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
A Brutally Honest Look at The Painful History of Chelsea
EXCERPT FROM “RUG- GED”: In Chelsea, circa 1977-1989, the down and out society of homeless, poverty stricken street people of the “welfare class” – mixed with middle-and working-class families and with
Ricans were barred from joining white social clubs or from being hired by the fire and police departments. Puerto Ricans need not apply dominated the sentiments of leaders at Chelsea City Hall.
the newest, growing, immigrant community of non-English speaking Puerto Ricans, Central Americans and a smattering of Eastern Europeans. Since the first wave of Puerto Ricans
The joy of these kids in the Williams School parking lot in the early 80s captures the spirit of youth.
‘Rugged,’ the second book of the Chelsea Series by Arnold Jarmak and Josh Resnek
captures the city’s true essence in all its gritty glory and tragic histo- ry. It follows ‘Turbu- lent Years in Chelsea,’ the first book of the Chelsea Series.
Late 1970s Chelsea Hispanic beauty pageant
arrived in the late 1950’s, many Chelsea natives and property owners reacted to this influx of economic migrants from Puer- to Rico with indifference and disrespect. Watching the intersection of racist hate be- tween Chelsea whites who reviled the Puerto Ricans made us uneasy. Puerto Ricans were discriminated against, not just in the work- place, but everywhere in the city at this time. Many landlords did not allow Puerto Ricans to rent apartments at their properties. Others who did evicted them regularly and sent them to the crowded eviction court in the old Chelsea Square Courthouse. Puerto
BOTH BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT BARNES & NOBLE AND AMAZON
Preface
Why This Pocket Guide Was Created
In 2018 Massachusetts passed a law “to Pro- mote and Enhance Civic Engagement” requir- ing every student to complete a civics project during high school designed to help you: • Analyze complex issues; • Consider different points of view; • Make logical arguments and support claims using valid evidence; • Engage in civil discourse with those who hold opposing views, and • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships that federal, state, and local policies have here in Chelsea. What the legislation doesn’t men- tion is this: Your civics action project can also be enjoyable and highly satisfying when you see the impact your efforts can have with- in Chelsea as you attempt to focus public and media attention towards your public-minded priorities. Your Students Pocket Guide to Civic Engagement in Chelsea & Massachusetts can be an essential resource as you work on your civics action project, whether you pursue it independently, with friends, or the entire class as your teacher and you determine. Social media, such as Facebook, has am- plified political divisions within our country
as it pumps out provocative, often inaccurate, information designed to generate clicks and ‘likes’ rather than promote informed discus- sion. Extensive research and polling indicate young Americans are losing faith in democ- racy itself and tuning out of elections on the local, state, and national levels. Chelsea’s high school students can become national leaders in reversing this trend. When young adults recognize they can influence the political process through personal action, they become involved and in so doing achieve dramatic impact. (See Chelsea Civics Online (CCO) for examples of the impact student activism has had here and elsewhere.) This Pocket Guide gives you fingertip access to the city and state officials whom you may need to contact as you research your civics action project. We’ve included emails, phone numbers, office addresses and even biographies where available. In addition to the Declaration of Indepen- dence and Constitution of the United States in several relevant languages, some accessible by QR Code, you’ll find chapters on media literacy, how to separate “spin” from facts, how to write Letters to the Editor, how to file
The philosophy of the schoolhouse in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, and abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 (although it was not enforced in the South until the 13th Amendment in 1865).
Preface | 3
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea City Hall. Modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia, built in 1908 following the Great Chelsea Fire. Photo courtesy of Josh Resnek and Everett Leader Herald.
a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, how to run for public office, how to file legislation in the Massachusetts Legislature and right here at the Chelsea City Council. Chelsea’s School Committee and your teachers are committed to providing an education that not only provides you a strong academic foundation but that also prepares you to assume your rightful role as an active citizen of Chelsea and the United States. Working with reporters and editors at the
State House News Service on Beacon Hill, we have prepared this Pocket Guide. We believe the skills and confidence you develop as you complete your civics action project will prove highly valuable to you in your academic and professional careers. We hope you refer to this Pocket Guide time and again to gain access to local and state civic leaders. You might be surprised at how recep- tive public officials in Chelsea and at the State House will be when they hear from you.
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. Barack Obama Barack Obama was the first African-American president of the United States. Obama served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004. Prior to his election to the Senate, he worked as a civil rights lawyer and community activist.
4 | Preface
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Contents
Introduction Emergency Hotlines....................................................... Front Inside Cover Title................................................................................................................ 01 Message from Sponsor................................................................................02 Preface........................................................................................................... 03 Almudena Abeyta, Chelsea School Superintendent................................07 City Manager of Chelsea.............................................................................08
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Organizational Chart..............09 Boards & Commissions.........10 Chelsea City Council..............11 Civic Project Q&A..................12 Chelsea Engagement..............19 Chelsea Demographics...........20
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more you are a leader. John Quincy Adams
Beacon Hill Representation Representative Judith A. Garcia.................................................................13 Senator Sal DiDomenico.............................................................................14 Washington, D.C. Representation U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren...................................................................16 U.S. Senator Ed Markey..............................................................................17 U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley.........................................................18 Student Activism The Importance of Student Activism........................................................22 Media Literacy..............................................................................................23 How to File a Bill..........................................................................................24 Bills Passed....................................................................................................26 Get Involved: Running for Office...............................................................28 How to Contact Elected Officials...............................................................32 How to Contact Local Media.....................................................................34 Freedom of Information Act Requests......................................................36 Filing an Information Request in Mass.....................................................37 Register to Vote............................................................................................38
Table of Contents | 5
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Further Resources & Our Website Further Resources........................................................................................39 Founding Documents Declaration of Independence.....................................................................40 United States Constitution..........................................................................42 The Bill of Rights..........................................................................................54 Massachusetts Constitution (with QR code to Full Version).................56 Additional Content via QR Codes Chelsea City Government...........................................................................11 Chelsea Demographics................................................................................20 Student Activism..........................................................................................26 Declaration of Independence Full Text in English, Simplified English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole...................................41 United States Constitution Full Text in English, Simplified English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole........Inside Back Cover
Have an opinion or question you’d care to share on our guide?
Editor: David Art , editor@masscivics.com
The Morris Seigel Elementary School on Crescent Avenue. Mr. Seigel was a beloved teacher and above all, a man of the people. He also served on the school committee for many years. Photo courtesy of Josh Resnek and Everett Leader Herald.
6 | Table of Contents
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
School Superintendent
A Message to the Students of Chelsea High School in our community. This is hands-on and to the point. In addition Dr. Almudena (Almi) G. Abeyta , Chelsea Superintendent
to including our nation’s Founding Doc- uments in multiple languages, the Pocket Guide explains how to send Letters to the Editor expressing concerns about news coverage, how to file Freedom of Information requests, how to apply for political intern- ships here, and even how to launch your own campaign for public office. Chelsea is your city. Superintendent Abeyta encourages you to fully assume your re- sponsibilities and your rights as a citizen of Chelsea, of Massachusetts, and of the United States. Chelsea’s students can lead the way on this and become a model for young people throughout the country. Dr. Abeyta completed her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2015, she was awarded the first Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Latina Administrator of the Year award, and in 2021 she was award- ed the Latinos for Education La Lucha Award.
of Public Schools, has arranged for the free distribution to the stu- dents at Chelsea High School of this Student Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement created specifically for Chelsea.
Her 27 years directing public schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Somerville, and Boston have shown Dr. Abeyta that opportunities to enrich students’ lives can extend far beyond the im- proved teaching systems she has implemented in her various leadership roles. She believes ev- ery student can learn how to assume his or her rightful role as a citizen, an activist even, with significant input into the operations — and the future — of our city. In short, every student is entitled to be included in the full range of Chelsea’s municipal policies and government. This Pocket Guide will show you how to do that. While originally conceived as a resource to help students complete their Civics Action Project, required for graduation, the Pocket Guide has a higher purpose as it shows you how to assume a personal leadership role with-
School Committee Members as of January 2024
Katherine Cabral, Vice-Chair, At Large
cabralk@chelseaschools.com shawnpo626@yahoo.com nevilles@chelseaschools.com
617-982-8546 857-258-5551 603-231-1385
Shawn O’Regan, District 1 Dr. Sarah Neville, District 2
Jonathan Gomez-Pereira, District 3
gomezpereiraj@chelseaschools.com 617-466-9540 balderasm@chesleaschools.com 857-222-8244 covascaraballoc@chelseaschools.com 617-233-0172
Mayra Balderas, District 4
Claryangeliz Covas Caraballo, District 5
Ana Hernandez, Chair, District 6
garcia1208@gmail.com
617-504-2195
Lucia Henriquez, District 7 Yessenia Alfaro, District 8
henriquezl@chelseaschools.com 617-792-9414
yalfaro1@gmail.com
617-259-6659 617-466-4456
Veronica Dyer-Medina, School Committee Clerk vdyermedina@chelseama.gov
Superintendent of Schools | 7
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
City Manager
Chelsea City Manager
Fidel Maltez City Manager Elected September, 2023 Phone Number: 617-466-4100
Ned Keefe Deputy City Manager Phone Number: 617-466-4100
Lourdes Alvarez Communication & Community Outreach Manager Email: lalvarez@chelseama.gov Phone Number: 617-466-4186
About the City Manager
City Hall
The Chelsea City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations for the City and serves as a resource for residents, making sure they receive quality services and help them solve problems. He is also responsible for creat- ing an overall vision for the City.
Office #302, 500 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday Evening: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
A message from the City Manager
Elections and Voting information from the City of Chelsea
Visit the City of Chelsea’s website
8 | City Manager’s Office
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Organizational Charts
Chelsea Residents
City Hall
City Council
City Manager
School Department
School Business Office
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Law
Health & Human Services
Planning & Operations
Finance
Administration
Health & Human Services
Assessing
Public Works
City Clerk
Auditing
Library
311
Human Resources
Recreation & Cultural Affairs
Purchasing
Inspectional Services
Info. Technology
Housing & Community Development
Treasury
Elder Affairs
Permitting and Land Use
Payroll
Veterans’ Services
Public Safety
E-911
Fire Department
Police Department
View more from the City of Chelsea
Gov. Overview | 9
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Boards and Commissions
Scan for online access to all of Chelsea’s Boards and Commissions
with disabilities in Chelsea and recommends policies consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 6 members. Economic Development 617-466-4180, jdepriest@chelseama.gov. The board assists with economic development plants and programs to promote growth of lo- cal businesses, and coordinates and improves industrial development projects. 4 members. Health Board 617-466-5953. The Board of Health maintains public health standards and environmental resources through education and regulations related to communicable diseases, food, hous- ing, waste, and other environmental quality issues. 5 members. Historical Commission 617-466-4180, jdepriest@chelseama.gov. The board is responsible for the preservation, promotion, and development of the historical assets of the city in accordance with Massa- chusetts General Laws. 7 members. Housing Authority Board of Com- missioners 617-409-5312, commissioners@chelseaha. com. 4 members. Human Rights Commission 617-466-4150, humanrights@chelseama. gov. The Human Rights Commission works to protect civil rights and promote under- standing and tolerance in the Chelsea com- munity, and intervenes whenever neccesary to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. 7 members. Library Trustees 617-466-4350. The Board of Trustees advises and represents the public library, establishes policies for selecting and using library materi-
Affordable Housing Trust Fund 617-466-4192. The board is empowered to en- gage in a range of activities related to property ownership, such as purchasing, retaining, and selling real and personal property. 7 members. Cable Television Advisory Board The cable television advisory committee provides forum for citizen complaints and referrals, as well as advice and recommenda- tions to the city manager to ensure efficient mangement of the cable license. Currently dormant. Community Preservation Com- mittee The board establishes goals and priorities for community development projects by gathering community input, using funds from Community Preservation Act (CPA). 9 members Community Recreation Advisory Board 617-466-4070. The board advises the Director of the Recreation and Cultural Affairs on matters relating to the administration, oper- ation, and future development of programs. 6 members. Conservation Commission 617-466-4182, jdepriest@chelseama.gov. The Conservation Commission safeguards natural resources, particularly wetlands and water, and enforces the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act. 5 members. Council on Elder Affairs 617-466-4370. The Council on Elder Affairs develops and administers programs for older adults to improve their quality of life and the Board manges its affairs and evaluates the Director of Elder Affairs. 9 members. Cultural Council 617-466-4090, culturalcouncil@chelseama. gov. Chelsea Cultural Council (CCC) funds arts, humanities, and science projects in Chel- sea that promote culture and diversity, with a focus on locally-based artists and programs that benefit the Chelsea community. Volun- teer board supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Disability Commission 617-466-4101. The board advocates for people
development, including zoning amendments, subdivision plans, and major site plan approv- als. 9 members. Registrars Board 617-466-4050. The Board of Registrars of Voters registers voters and carries out other duties assigned by state laws, consisting of the city clerk and three residents appointed to represent the two leading political parties. 4 members. Traffic & Parking Commission 617-466-4054, equesada@chelseama.gov. The Traffic and Parking Commission has the authority to create and modify traffic rules and regulations for the city, subject to City Council approval, and establish penalties for non-compliance. 8 members. Tree Board hdimino@chelseama.gov. The Tree Board’s main mission is to increase tree coverage in Chelsea by maintaining, educating, commu- nicating, and advocating for trees through activities such as planting, pruning, removing, and developing communication mechanisms, community engagement activities, and relationships with other city departments. 4 members. Youth Commission 617-466-4180, youthcommission@chelseama. gov. The Chelsea Youth Commission helps youth implement community projects, advises and assists City Council and other organi- zations in developing policies and programs for the welfare of youth and their families, and provides leadership opportunities for members aged 13-20.6 members. The memorial statue to those from Chelsea who served in the Spanish American War in 1898.
als and facilities. 7 members. Licensing Commission
617-466-4152, cfisher@chelseama.gov. The Li- censing Commission has the power to grant, suspend or revoke licenses for intoxicating liquors and other licenses and permits within
the city. 5 members. Planning Board
617-466-4188. The Planning Board provides recommendations and conducts reviews on
10 | Gov. Overview
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea City Council
City Council (Legislative Branch)
City Council President Norieliz DeJesus
City Council Vice President Todd Taylor
District Councilors
Councilors at-Large
City Clerk
Clifford Cunningham
District 1 Todd Taylor
Leo Robinson
City Council Assistant Amine Brahimi
Kelly Garcia
District 2 Melinda Vega
Roberto Jimenez Rivera
District 3 Norieliz DeJesus
Norieliz DeJesus City Council President norielizdejesus@chelseama.gov
District 4 Tanairi Garcia
Phone Number: 857-364-9036 Address: 373 Crescent Ave, #1
District 5 Lisa Anne Santagate District 6 Giovanni Recupero
The City Council is composed of eleven members, three of whom shall be Councilors At-Large and one District Councilor in each of the eight representative districts with- in the city. The City Council, as a legislative body, sets the policy-making agenda for the City through its official votes and resolutions, enactment of ordinances, appropriation orders and loan authorizations. City Clerk Email: ccunningham@chelseama.gov Phone Number: 617-466-4062 Regular Meetings: Two Mondays per month, except in July and August in recess Address: Chelsea City Hall, Room #306, 500 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150
District 7 Manuel Teshe
District 8 Calvin T. Brown
Voting district maps
City Council | 11
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Q&A
Questions and Answers If your Civics Action Project involves...
Conservation For questions relating to Conservation, you can reach John DePriest , Director of Permitting & Land Use Planning, at 617-466-4182 or jdepriest@ chelseama.gov. Public Safety Within Public Safety, you can reach Steve Staffier , Office of Emergency Management Director, at 617-466-4660. Fire Chief Leonard A. Albanese can be contacted at 617-466-4600 or lalbanese@chelseama.gov ; while Police Chief Keith Houghton can be reached at 617-466-4810 or khoughton@chelseama.gov. Information Technology For questions relating to Information Technology, you can reach Ramon Garcia , Chief Information Officer, at 617-466-4120 or rgarcia@chelseama. gov. Parks For questions relating to Parks, you can reach Chelsea’s Recreation & Cultural Affairs Director Bea Cravatta at 617-466-4070 or recreation@chelsema.gov. Public Health For questions related to Public Health, you can reach Flor Amaya , Director of Public Health, at 617-466-4090 or famaya@chelseama.gov . Libraries For questions relating to Libraries, you can reach Lisa Mucciarone , Library Director, at 617-466- 4355 or lmucciarone@chelseama.gov. Another helpful resource is Gabriel Millan , IT Technical Support, who can be reached at 617-466- 4351 or gmillan@chelseama.gov. Chelsea Public Library , located at 569 Broadway, Chelsea, can be called at: 617-466-4350 .
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion For questions relating to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, you can reach Dr. Candace Perez , Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, at 617-466- 4156-0259 or cperez@chelseama.gov. Recycling For questions relating to recycling, you can contact the Public Works Department. DPW Commission- er Cate Fox-Lent ’s phone number is 617-466-4203. Economic Development For questions relating to Economic Development, you can reach John DePriest , Director of Permit- ting & Land Use Planning, at 617-466-4182 or jdepriest@chelseama.gov. Civil Rights For questions relating to Civil and Human Rights, you can reach Cheryl Watson Fisher , City Solicitor (Attorney), at 617-466-4150 or cfisher@chelsea- ma.gov.
This page lists some of the agencies most likely to be involved in your Civic Action Project. However there are many other agencies, boards, and commissions ready to work with you.
Emergency Numbers
Emergency Fire Dept. Police Dept.
911 (Fire/Police) (617) 466-4600 (617) 466-4855 (617) 884-8300
Mass General: Chelsea Health- Care Center
Animal Control (617) 874-0413 Poison Control (800) 222-1222
12 | Q&A
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Everett LegCishlaetlosersa
Legislators
Representative Judith A. Garcia Data accurate as of October 2023
Judith García earned a B.A. in urban studies/affairs from Wheaton College Massachusetts. García’s career experience includes working as the communications manager of The Neighborhood Developers. She has served on the Chelsea City Council, on the board of HarborCOV, and as a U.S. delegate to Russia.
Legislative Information
2022 Election Results Primary Judith García, 1,119; Roberto Jiménez-Rivera, 853; Leo Robinson, 726 General Judith García, 4,057; Todd Taylor, 1,536
Chamber
House of Representatives
Hometown
Chelsea
District
11th Suffolk District: Chelsea
Term 1st term State House Address State House, Room 448 E-Mail
Judith.Garcia@mahouse.gov
Phone
617-722-2582
Staff
Manuel Teshe, Legislative Aide, manuel.teshe@mahouse.gov www.electjudithgarcia.com
Webpage
Twitter Handle
@ GarciaJudithMA
Committees
Joint Committee on Agricul- ture, Joint Committee on Public Health, Joint Committee on Public Service, Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Campaign Finances 2022 Beginning Balance $4,480.25 Receipts $85,000.99 Expenditures $86,532.25 Ending Balance $2,948.99
Professional Information
Political Offices Priorities
Chelsea City Councillor, District 5
Affordable and accessible housing, urban environmental justice, and eco- nomic opportunities for women. Communications Manager, The Neigh- borhood Developers; Board Member HarborCOV; Latinx Communications Advisor, Kennedy for MA
Previous Orga- nizations
Representation - Local | 13
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea Legislators
Senator Sal N. DiDomenico
Data accurate as of October 2023 Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico serves the com- munities of Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea, and Everett, with a focus on the wellbeing of children and families, lifting families out of poverty, housing, access to justice, environmental protection, support for small businesses and economic development.
Legislative Information
Chamber
Senate
Hometown
Everett
District
Middlesex & Suffolk
Term Phone
7th
State House Address
Room 405
617-722-1650
E-Mail Twitter Handle
Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov
Webpage www.saldidomenico.com
@saldidomenico
Staff Christie Getto Young, Chief of Staff, Christie.Young@masenate.gov; Ayla Thorntona, Legislative Director, ayla.thorntona@masenate.gov; Eli Fenichel, Communications Director, eli.fenichel@masenate.gov; James Henry, Director of Constituent Services, James.Henry@masenate.gov; Yoshki Wurtz, Legislative Intern, Yoshki.Wurtz@ masenate.gov Committees Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (Member), Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs (Member), Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Member), Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading (Chair), Senate Committee on Steering and Policy (Member), Joint Committee on Education (Senate Vice Chair)
Professional Information
Education Political Offices Priorities
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School; Boston College (B.A., Business Administration)
Everett City Council President
The wellbeing of children and families, lifting families out of poverty, housing, access to justice, environmental protection, support for small businesses and economic development. Organizations Before entering State Government, Senator DiDomenico worked in the hotel industry.
Continued on Page 15
14 | Representation - Local
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea Legislators Chelsea
Legislators
Interest Group Ratings
Campaign Finances 2022
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance
10%
Beginning Balance
$111,472.46 $57,574.08 $77,481.40 $91,965.14
Receipts
MASSPIRG
100%
Expenditures Ending Balance
National Federation of Independent Businesses Planned Parenthood Progressive Massachusetts
14%
Champion
80%
2022 Election Results
Primary Ran unopposed, 12,860 General Ran unopposed, 33,355
There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. —Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
The Massachusetts State House was completed in January 1798. It is considered a masterpiece of Federal architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architectural significance. Its free public tours are highly informative.
Set up a tour of the Massachusetts State House
Representation - Local | 15
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
United States Congress
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (Democrat)
Data accurate as of April 2023 Elizabeth Ann Warren is an American politician and former law professor who is a United States senator from Massa- chusetts, serving since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party and regarded as a progressive, Warren has focused on consumer protection, equitable economic opportunity, and the social safety net while in the Senate.
General Information
Hometown
Cambridge, MA
Elected
2013
D.C. Address
317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510 scheduling@warren.senate.gov Jon Donenberg, Chief of Staff, Jon_Donenberg@warren.senate.gov, 202-224-4543; Nikko Mendoza, State Director, nikko_mendoza@warren.senate.gov, 617-565-3170; Kristen Orthman, Deputy Chief of Staff, Kristen_Orthman@warren. senate.gov; Laura Gerrard, Director of Scheduling, Laura_Gerrard@warren. senate.gov; Alex Sarabia, Communications Direc- tor, Alex_Xarabia@warren.senate.gov
Staff
Professional Information Education Northwest Classen High School (’67);
University of Houston (’70); Rutgers School of Law (’76)
Campaign Finances
Beginning Balance
$2,324,575 $3,067,962 $1,724,248 $3,668,288
Receipts
Expenditures
Boston Office
2400 JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury Street, Boston, MA 02203 617-565-3170 1550 Main St., Suite 406, Springfield, MA 01103 413-788-2690 www.warren.senate.gov
Balance in campaign accounts as of 9/30/23
Springfield Office
Webpage
Twitter Handle @SenWarren District Phone 617-565-3170 Committees
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Chair, Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Committee on Fi- nance; Chair, Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth; Committee on Armed Services; Sub- committee on Strategic Forces; Special Committee on Aging
16 | Representation - National
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
United States Congress
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (Democrat)
Data accurate as of April 2023 Edward John Markey is an American lawyer, politician, and former Army reservist who has served as a United States senator from Massachusetts since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Massa- chusetts’s 7th congressional district from 1976 to 2013.
General Information
Hometown
Malden, MA
Elected
2013
D.C. Address
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 20510 Use URL: www.markey.senate.gov/contact Jim Cantwell, State Director; John Walsh, Chief of Staff, Geoff Burgan, Director of Communications; Giselle Barry, Deputy Chief of Staff.
Professional Information Educa- tion Boston College (B.A., ’68); Boston College Law School (J.D., ’72)
Staff
Political Offices
U.S. Army Reserve (’68-’73); MA House of Representatives (’72-’76); US Congress (’76 – ’13)
Boston Office
975 JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St., Boston, MA 02203 617-565-8519 1550 Main Street, 4th Floor, Springfield, MA 01103 413-785-4610 www.markey.senate.gov
Springfield Office
Campaign Finances 2022 Beginning Balance $1,642,211.38 Receipts $438,797.26 Expenditures $473,784.25 Ending Balance $1,607,224.39 Balance in campaign accounts as of 6/30/2022 $1,615,265
Webpage
Twitter Handle @SenMarkey District Phone 617-565-8519 Committees
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecu- rity Policy; U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans- portation, Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Security; U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and En- trepreneurship; U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Representation - National | 17
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
United States Congress
U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (Democrat)
Data accurate as of April 2023 Ayanna Soyini Pressley is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Massachusetts’s 7th congressional district since 2019. This district includes the northern three quarters of Boston, most of Cambridge, parts of Milton, as well as all of Chelsea, Everett, Randolph, and Somerville.
General Information
Hometown
Chicago, IL 7th District
District
Term 2nd term D.C. Address 402 Cannon HOB,
Washington, DC, 20515
D.C. Phone (202) 225-5111 Staff
Sarah Groh, Chief of Staff; Aissa Canchola, Legislative Director; Kalina Francis, Communications Director; Eric White, District Director; Lynese Wallace, Policy Advisor; Lona Watts, Director of Scheduling; Erina Colombo, Civic Engagement Manager; Ronald Claude, Field Representative; Colin Remal, Constituent Services Manager; Dennis Barrett, Legislative Correspondent; Errin Douglas, Staff Assistant; Luz Villar, Executive Assistant.
Professional Information Education Boston University Political Offices Boston City Council, At-large, ’10-’18 Campaign Finances 2022 Beginning Balance $501,037.26 Receipts $571,373.29 Expenditures $535,499.20 Ending Balance $536,911.35 Balance in campaign accounts as of 6/30/2022 $455,644
Boston Office
1295 River St., Hyde Park, MA 02136 617-850-0040
Webpage
https://ayannapressley.com
Twitter Handle
@RepPressley
Committees House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, Subcommit- tee on Diversity and Inclusion; House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on Economic and Con- sumer Policy, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
18 | Representation - National
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea Engagement
Chelsea Non-Profits
Beauty Without Borders
To become the premier organization to foster confidence in girls and young women, to help them debunk beauty myths with common sense, increase self-confidence, intellectual growth, personal development, leadership development, independence and peer pressure. To help the Chelsea Green Space Committee to conduct an education and outreach campaign about the hazards of environmental justice issues to Chelsea residents who have not always had a voice in policies that affect their lives. To provide education, food, health care, clothing and other necessities to families who lack these essentials due to famine, poverty or natural disaster. To be a relentless force in disrupting incarceration, poverty, and racism by engaging the young adults, police, and systems at the center of urban violence in relationships to address trauma, find hope, and drive change.
150 Marlborough St. Chelsea, MA 02150
Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee Ministries of Aides International Inc.
300 Broadway Chelsea, MA 02150
311 Broadway, Suite C Chelsea, MA 02150
Roca Inc.
101 Park Street Chelsea, MA 02150
Chelsea Food Banks Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Salvation Army/Chelsea Pantry Saint Luke’s-San Lucas Episcopal Church - Food Distribution Center
258 Chestnut St. Chelsea, MA 02150 201 Washington Ave. Chelsea, MA 02150
Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
Contact The Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is locat- ed at 308 Broadway, Chelsea, MA , and can be reached at (617) 884-4877 or executivedi- rector@chelseachamber.org.
Officers Paul Nowicki, President, Chelsea Housing Authority Executive Director; Joe Vinard , Immediate Past President; Beth McDou- gal , Executive Vice President, McDougal Architects; David Mindlin , Vice President; Bruce Mauch , Treasurer; Arthur Arsenault , Secretary
Visit the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce online
More on our website
Engagement | 19
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea Demographics
Information from census.gov Population
38,637 40,787
Population Estimates, July 1, 2022 Population, Census, April 1, 2020
Population Population
453
Veterans, 2021
Population Characteristics Population Characteristics
47.2%
Foreign born persons, 2021 Persons under 5 years Persons under 18 years Persons 65 years and over
8.5%
Age and Sex Age and Sex Age and Sex Age and Sex
25.3%
9.6%
48.7% 38.4%
Female persons
White alone
Race Race Race Race Race Race Race Race
8%
Black or African American alone
0.4% 3.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
Asian alone
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0%
38.6% 66.1% 19.7%
Two or More Races Hispanic or Latino
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
Voting Registered Voter informa- tion from MA Secretary of State, as of Feb. 2023
High School Student Demographics Student population for the 2022-2023 school year, from MA Dept. of Education
Party
Number Percentage
African American
3.8%
Democratic 6,636 Republican 794 Unaffiliated 9,009
39.9%
Asian
1%
4.8%
Hispanic
89.2%
54.2%
White
5.0%
Total
16,628
Hawaiian or PI
0
Multi-race, non-Hispanic
0.7%
View these demographics and more online
20 | Demographics
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Chelsea Demographics
Information from census.gov Housing and Economy Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2021
28.2%
Housing
$383,300 Housing
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2021
$2,330
Median selected monthly owner costs (with a mortgage, 2021) Median selected monthly owner costs (without a mortgage, 2021)
Housing
$754
Housing
$1,639 69.1%
Median gross rent, 2021
Housing Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2021 In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2021 Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c) Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)
61.7%
Economy
$71,606
Economy
$160,526 Economy
$180,740 Economy
$492,314 Economy
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c)
$12,218 $64,782 $27,627 22.5% 13,353
Economy
Median household income (in 2021 dollars)
Income & Poverty Income & Poverty Income & Poverty Families & Living Arrangements Families & Living Arrangements Families & Living Arrangements Families & Living Arrangements
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars)
Persons in poverty, percent
Households, 2021
2.94
Persons per household, 2021
85.3%
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2021 Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2021
71.1%
More information from the U.S. Census here
Demographics | 21
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Student Activism
The Importance of Student Activism Excerpted from Wikipedia
Student activism or campus activism is work by students to cause political, environ- mental, economic, or social change. Modern student activist movements vary widely in subject, size, and success, with students participating in private and public sectors of all ages, races, socio-economic backgrounds, and political perspectives. Some student protests focus on the internal affairs of a specific institution; others focus on broader issues such as a war or dictatorship. In the United States, student activism is often understood as a form of youth activism that can be oriented toward change in the Amer- ican educational system, civil rights, law en- forcement, nuclear weapons, to a wide range of issues. Student activism in the United States dates to the beginning of public education, if not before. Some of the first well documented, directed activism occurred on the campuses of black institutions like Fisk and Howard in the 1920s. The next wave of activism was spurred by Depression-era realities of the 1930s. The American Youth Congress was a student-led organization in Washington, DC, which lob- bied the US Congress against war and racial
Students formed social move- ments that moved them from resistance to liberation.
discrimination and for youth programs. It was heavily supported by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The counterculture era of the 1960s and early 1970s saw several waves of student activists gaining increasing political promi- nence in American society. Students formed social movements that moved them from resistance to liberation. Major contemporary campaigns include work for funding of public schools, against in- creased tuitions at colleges or the use of sweat- shop labor in manufacturing school apparel (e.g. United Students Against Sweatshops), for increased student voice throughout education planning, delivery, and policy-making (e.g. The Roosevelt Institution), and to raise na- tional and local awareness of the humanitari- an consequences of the Darfur Conflict. There is also increasing activism around the issue of global warming.
It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. Leonardo Da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. Leonardo is widely regarded to have been a genius who epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal.
22 | Student Activism
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
Media Literacy
How to Spot Fake News Online Excerpted from the New Jersey State Library
gory 4.) Some articles fall under more than one category. Assessing the quality of the content is crucial to understanding whether what you are viewing is true or not. Additionally, the act of censorship itself very often creates “false news.” It is up to you to do the legwork to make sure your information is good. What makes a news story fake? . 1. It can’t be verified: A fake news article may or may not have links in it tracing its sources; if it does, these links may not lead to articles outside of the site’s domain or may not contain information pertinent to the article topic. 2. Fake news appeals to emotion: Fake news plays on your feelings – it makes you angry or happy or scared. This is to ensure you won’t do anything as pesky as fact-checking. 3. Authors usually aren’t experts: Most au- thors aren’t even journalists, but paid trolls. 4. It can’t be found anywhere else: If you look up the main idea of a fake news article, you might not find any other news outlet (real or not) reporting on the issue. 5. Fake news comes from fake sites: Did your article come from abcnews.com.co? Or merco- la.com? Realnewsrightnow.com? These and a host of other URLs are fake news sites.
What kinds of fake news exist? There are four broad categories of fake news, according to media professor Melissa Zimdars of Merrimack College. CATEGORY 1: Fake, false, or regularly mis- leading websites that are shared on Facebook and social media. Some of these websites may rely on “outrage” by using distorted headlines and decontextualized or dubious information in order to generate likes, shares, and profits. CATEGORY 2: Websites that may circulate misleading and/or potentially unreliable information CATEGORY 3: Websites which sometimes use clickbait-y headlines and social media descriptions CATEGORY 4: Satire/comedy sites, which can offer important critical commentary on politics and society, but have the potential to be shared as actual/literal news No single topic falls under a single category - for example, false or misleading medical news may be entirely fabricated (Category 1), may intentionally misinterpret facts or misrepre- sent data (Category 2), may be accurate or partially accurate but use an alarmist title to get your attention (Category 3) or may be a critique on modern medical practice (Cate-
The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses. Malcolm X Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement. He was a vocal advocate for Black empower- ment until his assasination in 1965 at the age of 39.
Media Literacy | 23
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
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