<![CDATA[MISSION HILL HEALTH MOVEMENT - Blog]]>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:14:07 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[For Mother's Day, the Mission Hill Health Movement Remembers a Family it Supported in 2023.]]>Fri, 10 May 2024 20:47:47 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/for-mothers-day-the-mission-hill-health-movement-remembers-a-family-it-supported-in-2023t was a quiet late September day on Mission Hill.  The Mission Hill Health Movement Executive Director, was in her office on Tremont St when the bell rang.  Mary Ann Nelson opened the door to a Mother, her Husband, and their 5 y.o. Son. 

The family had moved to Mission Hill from Mexico, the previous month, looking for support for the birth process of their new infant.  The Mother, who spoke excellent English, said they had gone to a local hospital but learned they needed to deposit a large sum of money to cover the cost of prenatal care and delivery before they could be seen.

They had walked by the building over the week-end and had seen the word “Health” on the outside.  They hoped the MHHM was a clinic who could support the Mother, who was now 7 months pregnant, with the birth of their child.

Mary Ann called the MHHM Board Clerk, Carolina Cole Allen Suzazo who works for the Women’s Infant and Children (WIC) Program at the Whittier St Health Center for her advice on getting the family enrolled there.  Carolina told Mary Ann to bring the Mom and family over to Whittier St where they could apply for MassHealth and get an appointment with the Midwife.  The Family and Mary Ann walked to the health center.  The Husband and Son went to play at the Southwest Corridor Park while the Mom and Mary Ann meet with Carolina who directed them on what to do.  Within 2 hours, the Mother was meeting with the Whittier St. Midwife. 

Unfortunately, the Midwife could not add them to her full schedule.  She referred the Mother to the Obstetrics/Gynecology department of a major hospital which gave the Mother an appointment for the following week.

As they walked outside to meet her Husband and Son, the Mother expressed surprise at how many of the people at the health center were bi-lingual.  She said how nice it was to complete most everything speaking Spanish. The family and Mary Ann walked back to the MHHM office.  The Husband thanked her in Spanish and the whole family left.

Mary Ann wondered how the family was for several weeks. She got her answer in mid-October. 
The Mother came to the MHHM office with a small gift for her, to thank her for her help.  The Mother explained that due to complication with the fetus, the doctor had decided the child should be delivered by c-section later the next week.  The baby would then go to the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital.  It faced several complicated surgeries, the Mother said. 

The Mother was very happy about the care they received.  Her doctor, being from South America, could speak Spanish with them allowing her Husband to understand everything.

That day, the Husband was waiting outside, in a car with their Son. The Mother told Mary Ann that a friend had lent it to them so they would be ready if she needed to get to the hospital in an emergency. She looked really happy as she left. 

Mary Ann reported her activities at the next MHHM Board meeting. The Board Members were all happy that the organization was able to provide assistance in this situation.  Carolina and Mary Ann prayed for the safe delivery of the child. 

They learned the sad outcome from the Mother.  She came to the MHHM office to reported that the infant, a son, had died at two weeks.  His birth defects were far more severe than they had thought.  He wasn’t able to have any of the planned operations. To focus all their attention on their infant son, the parents had the Mother’s Parents, who had come for the birth, take their 5 y.o. to other family members in the US. They were going to join him.  But first they had to go the Church of Perpetual Help to get their Son’s baptismal certificate. 

The Mother shared how she felt.  She seemed really at peace with the outcome.  She had done everything she could for her infant Son - even coming to a place with the best health care.  The Mother said, her Son did more in his 12 days and affected more people than, some people do with a fifty- or seventy-year life. 

Mary Ann gave her condolences to the parents.  Mary Ann and the Mother embraced.  Because she didn’t speak Spanish, Mary Ann hadn’t spoke much with the Husband.  But, she turned to him to embrace him briefly.  He grabbed her and embraced her for a few moments.  The Family said good by and left. 
Mary Ann called Carolina to tell her what happened to the child and family.

The Mission Hill Health Movement Staff and Board were extremely happy to be able to help this family.  The Mother was able to give her Son his best chance.  The total love of both parents for their infant Son allowed him to live a great live during his 12 days.    
​
Happy Mother’s Day to this Mother and all Mothers. ]]><![CDATA[Report on the Public Hearing on the Closure of the Benjamin Health Care Center]]>Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:20:20 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/report-on-the-public-hearing-on-the-closure-of-the-benjamin-health-care-centerThe Department of Public Health held a public hearing Tuesday, March 26 in Roxbury on the closure of the Benjamin Healthcare Center on Fisher Ave. Mission Hill. Easily over 100 people were in attendance including Benjamin Staff, Patients and Its Administrator, Tony Francis, plus community residents and local politicians.

At the hearing, DPH wanted to hear comments on the closure plan. Specifically, the staff wanted to learn any proposed modification to the plan the Benjamin Administrator submitted. 16 days from the hearing, it issues its decision on the proposed closure plan 16 days after that, the Benjamin Administrator has to respond to the decision.

The first speaker was the Home Administrator who explained how prices and salaries have gone up but insurance fails to cover the increased cost. They are operating at a deficit and he can not see any way out but to close. The Administrator was surrounded by 3 people who appeared to be his lawyers at the hearing. They hustled him out the back door at the end of the hearing.

Everyone else was against the closure of the home.

Most people got up and asked for DPH to appoint a receiver to take over the nursing home and work to get it fiscally viable. (This has happened twice in the past.) All said how important it is to have a local nursing home run by and for people of color in Boston as was the donor’s intendent in creating the home and the nonprofit organization in 1927.

Many elected officials attended: State Sen. Liz Miranda; State Rep. S. Montana; District Counciler Ben Webber; and At Large Councilor Henery Santana. All asked that DPH appoint a receiver and work towards keeping the Benjamin open. Councilor Webber talked of how the proposed closure plan presented a “risk of imminent harm” to the residents which is the standard for rejecting a closure plan.
Mayor Wu could not make it but she sent Emily Shea who is the City Age Strong Commissioner. Commissioner Shea spoke in support of keeping the facility open. The Age Strong Department also provided its Senior Shuttles to get Patients and others to the hearing.

Other speakers included the staff who asked for the Benjamin to remain operating. The nurses said, even though there was no PPE during the pandemic, they came to work. Even though there is not the needed equipment for patient care, they come to work to care for their patients. Even though they did not get paid, they came to work. They continue to come even with the threat of closure, they come to work to care for the residents. The nurses advocated strongly for the patients. These nurses and workers deserve an award.

People whose loved ones were living at the nursing home for a long time also got up and talked. All said the quality of life for their love one would have been terrible if they were at a home far away from Boston. One man shared how he was able to visit his wife every day for 8 years after she suffered a debilitating stroke that left her unable to speak, hear, see, or move. If she had been in a home in Lowell, he would not have been able to see her as often.

Almost everyone said or implied that the Administrator Tony Francis was being fiscally irresponsible and maybe spending money on himself. He also reduced the Board from 20 people to 3, including himself as the Board President.

As the MHHM Executive Director, I made the following comments:

Thank you to the Department of Public Health (DPH) for this opportunity to testify on the Edgar Benjamin Healthcare Center and for holding the public hearing in Roxbury. I am Mary Ann Nelson, Executive Director of the Mission Hill Health Movement.

The Mission Hill Health Movement (MHHM) is half the age of the Benjamin Healthcare Center but shares the common mission of advocating for health care for local residents, especially residents of color. Mr. Edgar Benjamin and other Black Americans were concerned about health equity in 1920’s, just as the MHHM and Americans of Color are still fighting for it today.

The Benjamin Healthcare Center is an important institution in the Mission Hill, Roxbury community. Family and friends of MHHM Board members and Mission Hill residents have convalesced or resided at the Benjamin. The location is extremely convenient for family members to stay engaged with their loved ones.

The MHHM will not comment on past operations as others will do that with better knowledge. However, as a non-profit organization that strives to operate to achieve its purpose, the MHHM is astounded that a non-profit of the size and importance of the Benjamin Healthcare Center was allowed to operate in a manner that it could no longer serve its mission.

The MHHM asks that DPH does not approve the closure of the facility and that DPH places the facility into receivership, appoint a receiver, and remove Mr. Tony Francis as Administrator of the Facility. DPH should direct the Board of Directors whose current President is the Administrator, Mr. Francis, to become current with all of the organization’s filings required by law to all government agencies and authorities. Mr. Francis should step down as Board President. The goal should be for the Benjamin Healthcare Center to remain, either as a free-standing organization, or as part of a larger health care organization.

If DPH decides to approve the closure, the MHHM asks that the closure date be changed to July 1, 2025. This will provide time for families and guardians to find new facilities for their loved ones. Also, direct that the facility be staffed to serve residents safely. DPH should allow the facility to accept short-term clients until the closure date to help support the operational expenses. DPH should direct the facility management and the nonprofit Board to work with state and city organizations and private financial institutions to ensure sufficient operating funds. DPH should appoint a temporary administrator to oversee the daily operations and the closure. This will eliminate the concerns patients, family, and staff may have about retribution for their delays in finding new places for themselves or their family members. Also, it will allow them to safely participate in any investigation of the facility and non-profit board operations by the Attorney General. DPH should also prohibit any self-dealing between the Administrator or other staff and the Board Members. You should ask the Attorney General to oversee the appointment of a new Board of Directors.

[I said, going off script, that the MHHM was writing a letter to the Massachusetts Attorney General to ask her to investigate the operation of the non-profit organization that runs the facility.]

The Mission Hill Health Movement is available to assist in all of the matters. [and all parties.]

Thank you for your time and consideration.
-------

​We need to keep on top of this and not allow a valuable long term community caring center to be lost.
]]><![CDATA[Legislature Approves Free Meals for All Mass School Students, But Will They Eat Them?]]>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 23:37:24 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/legislature-approves-free-meals-for-all-mass-school-students-but-will-they-eat-themThis summer, the MHHM is handing out free SummerEats lunches to all children and teens at the Roxbury Crossing Farmers Market every Tuesday and Friday.

With the assistance of 4 local high school students, MHHM staff asks all children and teens in the vicinity of the market if they would like a free lunch or a snack. Lunches are regularly rejected. Snacks, such as whole wheat animal crackers, and fruits, especially the orange or apple the fits in a child's hand, are readily accepted.

The teens working at the market say they never eat the lunches at school. They don't like the taste- too bland. They report the trash in their schools' cafeterias are filled with discarded meals. One teen working with me, bragged that she never eats the school breakfast or the lunch and she only eats her Mom's dinner. Interestingly, she doesn't bring lunch from home, even her Mom's leftovers, because, as she told MHHM staff, there is no microwave. She and the others don't seem to be concerned about how not eating may effect their learning.

Several of the teens have chronic medical conditions or diseases which should be managed with diet and regular meals. Type 2 diabetes is on the increase among Boston children and teens. However, those who mentioned having it at the market, felt being on diabetes medication was all they needed to do- not eating regular meals.

Even though we are handing out lunches, the teens working there do not eat them except for one teen who eats a particular meal occasionally. For most, the work day begins with a late breakfast and large sweet drink from the national donut chain with 3 locations on Mission Hill. More money is spent on lunch from local restaurants. A few local Moms, who have come to the market, said they budget money for their teens to buy food as part of their school year daily activities.

The MHHM makes condiments available at the market for those who want to add mustard to a sandwich or salt and pepper to a baked potato. The teens believe the food beyond improvement. They say because they are from cultures with seasoned foods, this food can not be improved except by new recipes. On the other hand, occasionally, lunches are rejected by children at the market for being "too spicey"!

The farmers market, being near the Mosque, has many Islamic families passing on Fridays. Because the meals are not Halal, the families do not take them. How many children and teens are not eating them at school for the same or similar reason.
​
As the state, cities and towns implement this new law, the MHHM hopes, the dietitians, chefs, school lunch providers, and parents can work together to ensure each child and teen will eat the meals provided.

​https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/05/metro/massachusetts-is-making-school-meals-free-for-every-kid/]]><![CDATA[Measure the Sound of Mission Hill Re-Opening]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2020 23:08:45 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/measure-the-sound-of-mission-hill-re-openingPicture
The past few weeks have been some of the quietist on Mission Hill with No Traffic, No Construction, No Gatherings and No One on the Streets.
Mission Hill will wake up over the next weeks and months.  Join the BU Community Noise Lab and the Mission Hill Health Movement by measuring the changes in sound levels around you with the NOISESCORE App.


The NOISESCORE App for your smartphone allows everyone to measure sound, map its location and describe it and how you respond to it. It is easy to use.  Download, Create an Account, and Start Measuring.  You can review your past measurements right in the App!  The NOISESCORE App is available for free in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.                            
 
Here is a suggested approach to measuring the change in Noise levels over the next few weeks and months. 
  1. Select a weekday and weekend day to take measurements. 
  2. Choose 2 or 3 times a day to measure: morning; afternoon; or evening.
  3.  Mark your calendar or set an alert and start measuring with the NOISESCORE App.

 You can see the changes in sound levels by reviewing your measurements in the “My Account” section of the NOISESCORE App.
Join the discussion in the Mission Hill Sound and Noise Facebook group. For more information about the study and sound:  visit www.commmunitynoiselab.org or www.mhhm.org; or call 617-427-6919

.
This project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and organized by the BU Community Noise
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]]><![CDATA[COVID 19 Testing at Tobin Community Center May 4-9, 2020            Free and Regardless of Immigration Status for Mission Hill and Roxbury Residents]]>Sun, 03 May 2020 18:42:06 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/covid-19-testing-at-tobin-community-center-may-4-9-2020-free-and-regardless-of-immigration-status-for-mission-hill-and-roxbury-residentsDO you need to take a COVID 19 test? Share with your friends and family in the Community.
]]><![CDATA[Resources for People During This Time Period.]]>Sat, 25 Apr 2020 19:59:02 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/resources-for-people-during-this-time-periodThe Mission Hill Health Movement shares these links for resources for people.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has complied a lost of resources for people and business. Click Here

City of Boston has compiled a list of City resources.

Immigrants in Boston may find resources that can assist them during this pandemic, regardless of status: Immigrant Resources 

Artists, Singers and Musicians may want to look at these sites for resources: First site; 2nd Site;  and 4th Site]]><![CDATA[Meals at the Mosque: Available to All]]>Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:35:38 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/meals-at-the-mosque-available-to-allPicture






​Every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm-3 pm, those who need/want them can pick up free meals for their household at the New England Mosque, 100 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury Crossing. Meals are vegetarian and Halal. One does not need to attend the Mosque to get meals.  

The MHHM Executive Director went for the 1st time today. The people were very friendly. The woman she spoke with said they can also deliver meals to one location for distribution, she thinks it's only for Senior buildings but you can check it out if you know people who need them.
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Above are two healthy meals.

The older poster, shared below, only mentions the Tuesday date. Thursday starts this week. The volunteer also said occasionally, they food distribution donations. This Thursday, April 22, she said they will distribute boxes of fruits and vegetables.

Please share this information with people who can benefit from this.

Remember school students can still pick up breakfast and lunch at the Tobin Community Center from 9 am -12 noon.  Other COVID 19 food resources in Boston can be found here.

 Thank you to  the Muslims for Humanity, www.icnarelief.org/massachusetts/​
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]]><![CDATA[Mission Hill COVID 19 Up Dates]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2020 21:13:07 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/mission-hill-covid-19-up-dates
FOOD.  every day - every child gets two (2) bagged meals every day
ALL PARENTS and young adults. Talk and remind one another of good hygiene practices, safety and protection
Responses to COVID 19 Changes Daily.  Please Click the links to the indicated pages for the latest information.  

​City of Boston COVID 19 Page

Boston Information Line  Dial: 311

City of Boston COVID 19 Text Lines:
Send text to 99411 for updates
BOSCOVID  (English)
BOSEspanol (Spanish)
BOSFracais (French)
BOSKreyol (Haitian Creole)
BOSKriolu  (Cabo Verdean Creole)
BOSPortugues (Portuguese)


Massachusetts COVID 19 Page
Massachusetts Information Line Dial: 211
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are free and confidential. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages.)

School Lunch Locations and Hours  M-F
Tobin Community Center, tremont St., 9am- 12 noon
Mission Park Plaza, 835 Huntington Ave., 8:00 am-12:00 noon
​
Meal Sites MAP
​
Stop and Shop Hours
Open Daily 8 am - 8 pm
Senior Hours, Daily 6 am -7:30 pm

Walgreens Hours
10 am - 10

Special Senior Hours Tuesday 9am-10 am

Mission Hill Link Bus
The Mission Hill Link Bus is operating its regular hours: M-F 10 am-7pm  with 1 hour break at 2 pm
1st and 3rd Saturday 10:30 am - 2:30 pm ​
​www.wheresthelink.org
Lawyers for Civil Rights COVID 19 Support Page

Federal and State Taxes

The IRS has extended the deadline to file federal tax returns and to submit federal income tax payments from April 15 to July 15. The date for State Taxes is also July 15.



Census 2020As COVID-19 has made clear, funding for public health services is absolutely critical. Your participation in Census 2020 will help ensure that your community receives the money it needs for healthcare centers, hospitals, and emergency services, as well as public transportation and schools. Please complete the Census and help us secure the resources and political representation our communities need to remain resilient. Census 2020 can be easily completed in the privacy of your home, either online or by phone. All responses are 100% confidential, meaning that the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share your personal information with anyone, not even immigration, police, landlords, or employers. 

]]><![CDATA[Mission Hill Health Movement Accomplishments 2019]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2020 21:09:15 GMThttp://www.mhhm.org/blog/mission-hill-health-movement-accomplishments-2019Improve Health by Increasing the Availability and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
  • Successful Farmers Markets at Roxbury Crossing and Brigham Circle (June-November)
  • Served free summer lunches & snacks to 35 children and teens daily at Roxbury Farmers Markets
  • Received $62,000 grant from the City of Boston for construction of Gore St Community Garden (June)
  • Distributed 200 tomato plants free to residents to encourage growing our own food (May)
  • Support Bodega Makeover Community Outreach Event in Roxbury (July)
Support Mission Hill Residents in Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness
  • Held successful 9th Annual Health and Wellness Fair on September 21
  • Feet First Walking Groups walked 3-5 miles every Thursday and Saturday Morning, with over 80 participants (Spring-Fall)
  • Holding Line Dance Class, the 2nd Saturday of the month at Tobin Community Center with grant from the Mission Hill-Fenway Neighborhood Trust
  • Supported Boston Self Help Center Power Wheelchair Soccer
Create a Resilient and Healthy Mission Hill Environment and Community
  • Kicked off Noise Monitoring Project on Mission Hill with The Community Noise Lab at Boston University funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Organized Senior Homeowners and Tenants in Private Housing to identify and begin to address aging in community concerns
  • Supported Senior Activities including Mission Hill Senior Prom
  • Oriented 1st year Residents of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 1st year MPH Students from Harvard Chan and 1st year Harvard Medical and Dental Students to Mission Hill Community and our Health Concerns
  • Participated in Halloween on the Hill: handed out Local MA Apples; and decorated a record 45 Pumpkins with children and parents
  • Participated in Outreach Activities at Whittier Street Health Center (Dec) and Roxbury Tenants of Harvard (May)
 
  • Additional Accomplishments
  • Participated in the Boston Community Health Needs Assessment/Community Health Implementation Plan process including recruiting residents to Mission Hill meeting.
  • Distributed approx. $3,000 worth of Toys, Books and other items donated by Shriners Hospital to Mission Hill and Boston area children youth and Families Participated in Ten-Taxpayer Group organized by CCHERS to address hospital impact on communities
  • Worked with Wentworth Students on restoration of deck at rear of 1534 Tremont St (August)
  • Wrote Report reviewing 7 years of BWH Mission Hill Community Activities Reports, 2010-2018 (Spring 2019)
 
 
 Thank you to our Supporters and Collaborators

Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Shriners Hospital for Burns
New England Baptist Hospital
Mass Eye and Ear Institute
Whittier St Health Center
Harvard T.F. Chan School of Public Health
Northeastern University
Wentworth Institute of Technology,            Thank you,  Sandy Pascal!
Boston University
Community Noise Lab at Boston University
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Mission Hill Main Streets
MacArthur Farms
Gary’s Too Farmstand
BCYF Tobin Community Center
Mission Hill Legacy Project
InFocus Camera Club
Mission Hill Artists Collective
Partners in Mentoring/Family Intervention Team
Roxbury Tenants of Harvard
Kristen Mobilia
Laura Serapigilia, MCPHS
Lifted
Bodega Makeover
Maynard Clark
Roderick Kersey
The Food Project
Joshua Wolfsun
Mission Hill Fenway Neighborhood Trust
City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development
All of US Health Study
 Lily’s Pasta
Mike’s Donuts
COGDesign & Jennifer Kimball
Laura Feddersen
Daniel Janowiec, WIT
Michael Ateek, Computers
Harvard University Day of Service
Boston Public Library, Parker Hill Branch
Friends of the Parker Hill Library
State Senator Sonia Chang Diaz
Representative Nika Elugardo
City Councilor-elect Kenzie Bok
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