Riverfest, Waltham Pride, Juneteenth & the League of Women Voters

It has been a productive couple of weeks on the campaign trail. Aside from helping to found a new political party (eh-hem, designation) in Massachusetts, I was able to attend several Waltham events and visit a few non-profits.

Riverfest

I met about 200 residents, had some long and detailed conversations, and provided free drinking water to anyone who wanted it.

Waltham Pride

Rather than getting a booth, I took this event as an opportunity to learn and explore the interests and concerns of local organizations. I connected with several groups and constituents about the need for respecting everyone’s time and attention… as well as the need to protect everyone’s personal freedoms in Massachusetts regardless of what happens at the federal level.

Juneteenth

On the Juneteenth Holiday, I refrained from publicly campaigning but took the time to personally celebrate and reflect on Juneteenth as our nation’s second “Independence Day” when the last slaves were freed from captivity.

The holiday also marked the end of my candidate pledge to donate $1 of my own money for every $10 donated to my campaign committee. Since we only raised $260 from others between Earth Day and Juneteenth, I realized that $26 was not enough. Instead, I have decided to donate $3 instead of $1 for every $10 donated to my campaign (sending $26 to each of the 3 local Waltham non-profits).

This is still just a drop in the bucket of what these non-profits could use, so I encourage others to consider donating directly or volunteering. Outside of this particular campaign pledge, as I do every year, I also continue to donate and support local non-profits that are helping those in most need in the community.

Learning about more about financial challenges in the community

After an exciting Thursday focused on filing the political designation paperwork for the Forward Party in Massachusetts and announcing a new platform proposal to support hyperlocal news media and fund local libraries, I decided to use my “vacation day” from work to visit and learn more about two other Waltham non-profits: Watch CDC and the Waltham Boys & Girls Club.

While visiting the Watch CDC office, I learned that monthly requests for assistance with eviction notices in Waltham have spike significantly since January of this year. I also learned more about the long delays for some refugees and immigrants to receive working permit approvals even though they are otherwise allowed to be here! Finally, I learned about opportunities to volunteer with the organization.

I happened to visit the Waltham Boys & Girls Club on a day in between the end of the school year and the club’s transition into summer camp programming next week, which provide an opportunity for a private tour of the facility, which includes a number of excellent spaces for kids, including an art classroom, a STEM classroom (with 3D printers available), a gymnasium, and a fully functioning kitchen to serve breakfasts and lunches. I also learned about the financial challenges that families (and by extension the club) are facing as COVID-era funding for childcare has been drying up, which in some cases made the difference between children having a safe, fun place to go after school (or during the summer) and parents needing to make difficult choices between working and caring for their kids. Finally, I also learned that the Waltham Boys & Girls Club will soon be kicking off a capital campaign to repair water damage and renovate the building, which has been around since the 1950’s.

League of Women Voters

Earlier this year, I sent an open letter to the League of Women Voters proposing a debate schedule. Recently they responded to that letter, clarifying that there will be a single debate held for the 9th Middlesex District between the primary election (when the two Democratic candidates will be narrowed down to one) and the general election (where I will be on the ballot along with the primary winners).

I also received an invite (along with other candidates) to attend the annual Summer Social event for the League of Women Voters, which I look forward to attending later today.