To remedy a problem, we need to identify the source. This applies to matters of health and relationships between landlords and tenants, as well as to relations among tenants.

Some problems seem easy to understand and appear to have easy solutions, while other problems may be invisible but present a serious threat to health and life.

Without a clear understanding of the threat, we tend to get angry and blame people instead of addressing the actual problem.

Alas, as the Beacon Hill legislative rushes to an end this week, we see no chance for action on bullying and mobbing. Early in the next session, we will work with our legislative partners to pass a strong bill to establish an ombuds office. We are determined to provide protection for elderly and disabled tenants of all public and subsidized housing, including assured accountability for irresponsible landlords.

Negro Election Day to Be State Holiday

On the third Saturday of July, the 17th of July, 2022 during the celebration of Negro Election Day at the Salem Willows, Doreen Wade introduced and thanked Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Paul Tucker. The legislators announced that both the Senate and the House had approved a bill to establish the third Saturday in July as a state holiday, and would become law with the signature of the Governor. Lovely and Tucker presented Wade with a duplicate of the proclamation that awaits Baker's signature.

Everyone needs other people, we are social. Despite the chaos and the selfish and callous mood in the world today, we are built to be altruistic, to take satisfaction from being a contributing member of a community.

Guest Post by Kolya Lynne Smith

Doing things that make you happy, that you’re passionate about, and serving people is healing balm for your soul. It's about taking back control. It worked for me.

“Phoebe,” an elderly woman with disability, had lived comfortably in public housing, surrounded by her family photographs and heirlooms, inherited furniture, favorite books and records, with her clothing in closets, and with her parakeets for company. Today, she is homeless with her few possessions in paper bags.

The root cause of Phoebe’s homelessness is the failure of her landlord, the local housing authority, and the lack of any protections for a tenant who is the victim of mobbing.

Dear Senator Lovely and Representative Walsh,

In the remaining time before the end of this legislative session, can we please establish the ombuds office, possibly by an amendment to S900/H1407?

For a decade, the Stop Bullying Coalition has been seeking a way to protect elderly and disabled tenants living in subsidized and public housing from bullying and mobbing.