Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice

Calling all Somerville Youth! Make a difference in your community. Fight for the issues you care about. Join the RSJ Youth League! APPLY NOW: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

The RSJ Youth League 25/26 Cohort Application closes next week! This paid program is open to youth from Somerville and is a great opportunity for youth to learn more about civic engagement, tackle issues facing our community, and more.

Apply online: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

We're glad you're our neighbor!
As we celebrate Welcoming Week, OHS joins City of Somerville staff to share a warm message of belonging to all our residents.
Thank you for your partnership, Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA)!
#WelcomingWeek #Somerville #BelongingBeginsWithUs

Calling all Somerville Youth! Make a difference in your community. Fight for the issues you care about. Join the RSJ Youth League! APPLY NOW: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

The 2025-26 RSJ Youth League application is now open! This great paid opportunity is designed to help foster civic engagement and learning opportunities for Somerville youth through a justice lens.

The application is open through September 22nd: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

Three flags fly on flag poles next to one another in front of a blue sky above.

A photograph showing a speaker at a podium in front of three people behind them. To their right, a disability pride month flag hangs on a flag pole.

A photo of several people raising the disability pride flag on a flag pole in front of a brick building.

Disability Pride Month The Disability Pride Flag and the meaning behind its colors. Red Represents those with physical disabilities. Yellow Represents those with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. White Represents those with invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. Blue Represents those with emotional and mental disabilities. Green Represents those with sensory disabilities. Black Represents mourning and anger over the discrimination faced by disabled people, including historical eugenics programs and modern ableism.

We were happy to join the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the #DisabilityPrideMonth flag raising last week!

It was a special occasion celebrating both Disability Pride month AND the 35th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act 🥳

New focus group sessions were added by the Human Rights Commission. An 8/6 virtual session is taking place at 12 pm and an 8/7 in-person session in east somerville is taking place at 5:30 pm. Interested persons can register for a session at bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups

Due to high demand, the Somerville Human Rights Commission (HRC) is adding new focus group sessions on 8/6 and 8/7.

Register for a session and help provide feedback about human rights issues in Somerville and what services the HRC should provide in our City!

bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups

A green flyer promotes the upcoming Human Rights Commission Focus Groups. Upcoming sessions are to be held on July 15 and August 5. Interested persons can register for a session at https://bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups.

The Somerville Human Rights Commission wants to hear from YOU!

Attend an upcoming focus group to help them hone in on their mission, share about what issues they should be tackling in Somerville, and more.

bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups

Five people pose in an embrace for a picture in a parking lot. A flag pole stands behind them.

A photo of a crowd gathered at a Juneteenth Flag Raising. A flag pole flies the Juneteenth flag below a flag pole that flies the American flag. To the right, a flag pole flies the American Prisoners of War flag.

Four performers stand in the front of the room with varied instruments. A photographer to the right is taking photos.

Five people who are tabling pose for a selfie photo.

Happy #Juneteenth! We were celebrating with community members from Somerville and Medford at the Somerville Juneteenth Flag Raising and the Tufts University "Together We Rise" event.

Catch up with the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social Juneteenth Flag Raising: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7N...

We're joining with the Somerville Arts Council, the Somerville Museum, and @cityofsomerville.bsky.social to kick off Somerville's annual fireworks celebration with a reading of Frederick Douglass' famous address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July."

See you there 👋

A graphic promotes the Somerville Juneteenth Flag Raising taking place on June 16, 2025 from 12 - 1 p.m. at the Somerville City Hall Concourse.

The @cityofsomerville.bsky.social Juneteenth Flag Raising is next Monday, June 16 from 12 - 1 p.m.

Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth, hear from speakers, and enjoy some light refreshments and ice cream.

A woman sits in a chair and holds up a braille document in two hands.

City Council agendas are now available in braille for every meeting!

This year, RSJ received the City's braille machine, onboarded and trained staff (with help from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities), and is looking forward to expanding our braille printing program in the months ahead.

Promotional flyer for Juneteenth 2025 events in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. The flyer features a large bold heading "JUNETEENTH 2025" at the top, with event details listed below. Events include: Somerville Juneteenth Flag Raising on June 16, Juneteenth at Tufts – Together We Rise on June 18, Blessing of the Bay on June 22, and Frederick Douglass Reading on June 25. At the bottom right, a blurred image of the Juneteenth flag on a flagpole appears. Accessibility information and a website link (somervillema.gov/rsj) for more details are included. Photo credit is given to NASA/Keegan Barber.

There's plenty of ways to commemorate Juneteenth coming up across Somerville and Medford.

This year, we're partnering with the City of Medford, Tufts University, and the Somerville Museum to expand programming in our community.

Read more about these events and others and RSVP: somervillema.gov/rsj

A graphic promotes the City of Somerville’s 2025 Juneteenth Flag Raising. The event is taking place on June 16, 2025 from 12 - 1 p.m. at Somerville City Hall Concourse.

Join us on June 16 for the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social annual Juneteenth Flag Raising!

We’ll have ice cream, a speaking portion featuring local leaders, and more festivities.

New England Hong Kong Festival on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Seven Hills Park in Somerville (near Davis Square T station) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rain date is June 1.

On Saturday, May 31, attend the second annual New England Hong Kong Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Seven Hills Park in Somerville to celebrate the vibrant culture, food, and creativity of Hongkongers across the region.

The event is free and open to all. Rain date is June 1.

A graphic promoting the Neighbors Talking to Neighbors initiative. Session 2 will be about immigration.

Join us as we continue our Neighbors Talking to Neighbors community conversation series tomorrow. We'll be discussing immigration.

Registration and details available at: somervillema.gov/rsj

A flyer for the "Mindful Moods Mingle" event sponsored by the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Text reads "Join us for a relaxed and open mingle about mental health, where we can share our experiences, listen, and support each other, and learn the importance of caring for our minds. Everyone's voice is welcome!" The event is taking place on Monday, May 12th, 2025 from 7 - 8:15 p.m. at the Somerville Central Library Auditorium.

Continue celebrating #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth with the Commission for Persons with Disabilities at their Mindful Moods Mingle event next Monday, May 12th!

A flyer for the "Neighbors Talking to Neighbors" initiative, promoting a series of community dialogues, panel discussions, and trainings to foster empathy and togetherness. The flyer lists four sessions, each focusing on a different topic - Race, Immigration, LGBTQ+, and Interfaith - with separate virtual sessions for youth and adults on May 7, 9, and 14, 2025, and an all-ages in-person session on Interfaith at Somerville High School on May 28, 2025. Registration information is available at somervillema.gov/rsj.

Attend a "Neighbors Talking to Neighbors" session - @cityofsomerville.bsky.social's new dialogue series bringing together residents from across the City to join in discussion.

For more information about the sessions and to register, visit somervillema.gov/rsj.

Pink graphic with text that reads: "In one study, "emotional support from a friend was related to significantly better recovery" among sexual assault victims. At the bottom of the graphic, line art of two hands embracing crosses the image.

Pink graphic with text that reads: "63% of survivors didn't report their sexual assault because they were afraid they would be blamed for it." On the right side of the image, line art of a person is covered by a dark pink blob.

Pink graphic with text that reads: "43-52% of all sexual assault victims rate their experience with the criminal justice system as unhelpful or hurtful." On the right side of the image, line art of a person crossing their arms is covered by a dark pink blob.

Pink graphic with text that reads: "Statistics show that perpetrators don't just attack once -- many re-offend, often multiple times. One failed response can mean additional victims. Start By Believing is designed to change this." At the bottom, a line art crowd of people is depicted with different shades of purple, pink, and red blobs overlapping.

Statistics show that you can make a difference in helping survivors of sexual assault by greeting them with belief, support, and compassion.

#StartByBelieving

A flyer depicts a person sitting on a bean bag with a depicted frustrated text bubble. The flyer is promoting an event being promoted as "Healing Together - Supporting Mental Health at Home." People can register for the event at bit.ly/HT_25.

Join the Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the first of their #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth events next Wednesday, May 7th. This event will bring together people of all ages to discuss supporting one another and how we can normalize the language of mental health.

RSVP: bit.ly/HT_25

Pink graphic with text that reads: WHAT IS START BY BELIEVING? Start By Believing is a public awareness and action campaign launched by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) in April 2011. It was created to end the cycle of silence and change the way society responds to sexual assault. The campaign focuses specifically on changing the response to survivors of sexual assault by expressing belief and support, rather than doubt, shame, or blame.

Pink graphic with text that reads: Three Simple Responses to a Disclosure of Sexual Assault 1. I believe you. 2. I'm sorry this happened. 3. I am here for you.

Pink graphic with text that reads: The City of Somerville is proud to announce that April will be recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the community. Throughout the month, the City will highlight the importance of sexual assault prevention, support for survivors, and the ongoing efforts to create a safe and respectful environment for all individuals. Sexual Assault Awareness Month serves as a time to raise awareness about sexual violence, provide resources for survivors, and empower individuals to take action in their communities. This year’s campaign will focus on the signing of a proclamation by Mayor Ballantyne and Police Chief Benford, declaring the City of Somerville as a Start By Believing community. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, help is available. For more information, resources, and support, please contact the Somerville Police Advocate, Maureen DiPaolo at 617-625-1600 x7279 or mdipaolo@police.somerville.ma.us. Together, we can break the silence, support survivors, and create a safer, more compassionate community for all.

The City of Somerville is recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April.

We’re highlighting the “Start By Believing” campaign, a push to greet survivors with belief and support. Read more about the campaign, resources in the City, and how you can make a difference 👇

Vote now in cycle 2 of Somerville's Participatory Budgeting process now through April 30. Your community, your ideas, your vote. Learn more at somervillema.gov/pb

$1M dollars is in your hands, Somerville! Voting is now open for the City's second Participatory Budgeting cycle. Residents age 12 and up can now vote on their favorite city improvement ideas. Voting is open through Wednesday, April 30.

Learn more and vote at: somervillema.gov/pb

Starting by believing is an important first step in making survivors comfortable and supporting them through recovery.

For more information about the campaign, including resources and statistics, visit the Somerville Commission for Women webpage: www.somervillema.gov/departments/...

Group photo of five individuals standing in the Mayor's Office at Somerville City Hall with two framed paintings and American flags in the background. The group includes four women in professional attire and a man in a police uniform.

A woman wearing glasses and a blue blazer is seated at a desk, signing a proclamation document with a pen. An American flag and another flag are partially visible in the background.

A woman wearing glasses and a blue blazer is seated at a desk, smiling and holding up an open folder displaying a proclamation document titled 'Start by Believing Day' from the City of Somerville.

Close-up of the proclamation document titled 'Start by Believing Day,' dated April 2, 2025, issued by the City of Somerville, Massachusetts, with detailed text and the mayor's signature at the bottom.

@mayorkatjana.bsky.social and the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social are joining the national campaign and recognizing today, April 2nd, as #StartByBelieving Day!

We're working to change the way we respond to sexual assault and stamp out violence in our community. We're Starting By Believing.

Join us for the Week of the Young Child Celebration on Thursday April 10th from 5:30 PM–7:00 PM at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave).

A graphic with text that reads "Celebrate Women's History Month" Below, headshots of speakers include: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne Diana DiZoglio Judy Pineda Neufeld Amanda Nagim-Williams Alex Barbat Ilana Krepchin The event is taking place Wednesday, March 26th 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm SOMERNOVA (Common space, 14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA) All are welcome! RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-womens-history-month-at-somernova-tickets-1259609348469?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope you'll join us tomorrow as we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth with food, live music, and more at Somernova!

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

Join us for the annual Women's History Month celebration on Wednesday, March 26th! We'll be joining together to celebrate women, enjoy good food, song, and dance, and hear from a slate of women representing the City of Somerville and Massachusetts!

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

💡 Language is a right, not a barrier! Learn more 📞617-666-3311 📩somerviva@somervillema.gov

The City of Somerville can help:

📑 Free interpretation and translation available

🙋Multilingual staff at the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs

📢 Community meetings and workshops in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Cantonese, Mandarin, and more!

Graphic that relays some of the language resources the City of Somerville offers. Text reads: RESOURCES Free assistance in your preferred language when accessing City services. Multilingual staff at the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs Document Translations Everyone has a right to access ALL City services and information in their language, regardless of residency, citizen status, or disability.

🌍✨ LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR ALL! ✨🌍

At the City of Somerville, we’re committed to ensuring EVERYONE can access city services in their preferred language! 🗣️💙

A graphic with text that reads "Celebrate Women's History Month" Below, headshots of speakers include: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne Diana DiZoglio Judy Pineda Neufeld Amanda Nagim-Williams Alex Barbat Ilana Krepchin The event is taking place Wednesday, March 26th 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm SOMERNOVA (Common space, 14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA) All are welcome! RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-womens-history-month-at-somernova-tickets-1259609348469?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for the annual Women's History Month celebration on Wednesday, March 26th! We'll be joining together to celebrate women, enjoy good food, song, and dance, and hear from a slate of women representing the City of Somerville and Massachusetts!

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

👏Language 👏Rights👏 Are👏 Civil 👏Rights 👏