Become an active voice for your community! Our Better Future Series returns for its fourth season, bringing together Boston’s artists, changemakers, and community leaders. Convening in the City Hall Plaza Pavilion, participants will engage in community organizing through participatory workshops, conversations, and events that bring community voices to the City’s door.
EPISODE ONE
Threads of Migration: A Community Sip n’ Stitch for Boston Refugees
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
6pm – 8pm
Put your hands to work alongside Company One Theatre and our friends from AARW and the Welcome Blanket Project! Join us for an evening of fiber crafts and community stories that weave together Boston’s history of migration and the urgent needs facing Boston’s refugee communities today. Participants can share their stories and reflect on those of their neighbors, write welcome letters to new arrivals, and help knit, crochet and tie Welcome Blankets that will be gifted to refugees settling in the United States.
All are welcome, and no knitting or crafting experience is required! Refreshments, instructions and supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own knitting or crochet needles and yarn to use.
Resources & Action Steps
- Visit the Welcome Blanket website for more information on how to continue making your own Welcome Blankets! You can get supplies for your blanket projects from our friends at Boston Fiber Company and Gather Here. Gather Here is also a drop off site for completed Welcome Blankets — they will accept finished blankets on a rolling basis and deliver them to
- Learn more about the Immigration & Anti-Deportation work our friends at Asian American Resource Workshop are working on! Sign up for their newsletter and follow them on Instagram @aarw.boston to stay up to date about their current projects, campaigns, ways to support.
- Check out class and volunteer opportunities at The Welcome Project
- Attend an upcoming event at Stories Inspiring Movements
- Volunteer with the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice
- Learn more about Refugee and Immigrant Services at JVS Boston
- Register to vote or confirm your voter registration
EVENT PHOTOS
Click each thumbnail to enlarge. Photos by Annielly Camargo.
EPISODE TWO
Seeds in the Dirt, Fists in the Air: A Kid-led Call for Climate Justice
Saturday, March 23, 2024
2pm – 4pm
Celebrate the arrival of spring during an afternoon of learning, creativity, and environmental advocacy with C1 and friends! Welcome the new season with hands-on activities, crafts, music, and more as we amplify collective action in the face of climate challenges and work together for a more sustainable future.
This event is especially great for families with kids ages 5-13, but we’ll have activities and actions for folks of all ages to enjoy. Snacks will be provided!
Resources & Action Steps
For Youth
- Check out this reading list of some of the best books for kids with climate action and environmentalist themes.
- Create climate art to send to congress
- Join or support a youth-led climate group! Here are just a few:
For Parents/Educators
- Learn about the impact of climate on young people and talk with your kids about climate justice
- Advocate for climate-friendly policies and curriculum at your local school community!
- Attend MIT CATE’s free K-12 Climate Action and Education Conference on April 6
- Bring Change is Simple to your school for hands-on STEM fun
- Demand policy changes at the schoolboard level
- Join a local chapter of Mothers of Front
For Everyone
- Educate yourself on climate impacts and discuss action steps with your community
- Gather with our friends at Extinction Rebellion Boston on Wednesday, March 27 for their 202nd day of their State House Stand-Out for No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure. During the Day 202 celebration, attendees will write and deliver postcards to Gov. Healey, House Speaker Mariano, and Senate President Spilka, and perform a very public die-in on the ceremonial steps in front of the State House, followed by performances.
- Make your home more eco-friendly! Learn about different sustainable programs available to Boston residents, including curbside composting, clothing recycling, and home energy efficiency solutions.
- Demand your city and state policymakers take action on one or more active campaigns to support climate justice.
EVENT PHOTOS
Click each thumbnail to enlarge. Photos by Lauren Miller.
EPISODE THREE
Joy in Motion: A Queer Dance Class & Clothing Pass
Thursday, June 13, 2024
6pm – 8pm
You better work (out)! Celebrate the power of movement, community, and self expression for mental health at a free dance class and clothing pass — come ready to groove at an upbeat dance session for all levels that’s guaranteed to make you smile, and bring along any gently-used activewear to swap with community members seeking gender-affirming workout gear! Plus, enjoy free snacks and find opportunities to connect with local wellness resources, groups classes, and other physical activities for queer folks of all sizes and abilities. LGBTQ+ folks of all backgrounds are welcome to join the fun!
Connectivity Partners
Resources & Action Steps
- Join another queer friendly dance session! Follow @shemovesandmakes to see where Angie Benitez will be teaching next, or catch an upcoming session with Queer Dance Workshop.
- Sign up to volunteer with our friends at Gay for Good.
- Bring your gently used clothing to an upcoming event with Sustainable Swaps.
- Use the You Can Play resource guide for coaches & referees, admins & fans, athletes & families to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports in your community.
EVENT PHOTOS
Click each thumbnail to enlarge. Photos by Lauren Miller.
EPISODE FOUR
Voices for a Better Future: An Open Mic for Boston Youth
Saturday, August 3, 2024
3pm – 5pm
Join C1 and friends for an open mic night celebrating the power of youth voices! Young people from across the city will share songs and spoken word performances that capture our collective hopes and vision for a better future, plus we’ll highlight opportunities to take action in our neighborhoods. Grab a friend, get inspired, and get ready to make positive change in your community!
Boston youth ages 13-19 are welcome to perform, and all are invited to attend. Be sure to show up early for free food and a few special prize give-aways!
Connectivity Partners
Resources & Action Steps
Check back soon!
EVENT PHOTOS
Click each thumbnail to enlarge. Photos by Lauren Miller.
