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Yawkey Foundation Supports Peer Navigator Pilot Program with $50,000 Gift

The Yawkey Foundation has generously committed $50,000 to the Boston Public Library Fund for the creation of Peer Navigator programming at the Boston Public Library (BPL). 

The Yawkey Foundation’s support enables the BPL to augment services for homeless Bostonians and expand services to branch libraries. Library leadership will soon seek to hire a Social Worker and Peer Navigators, persons who have experienced living in housing-insecurity, to perform outreach to patrons exhibiting indicators of homelessness, mental health concerns, and addiction issues. Their focus will be on relationship-building and making authentic connections with patrons while connecting them with the resources to meet their needs. The Liberty Mutual Foundation has also generously funded the Peer Navigator Pilot Program.

Similar Peer Navigator outreach programs have been launched in libraries across the country, including San Francisco, Denver, and Washington DC.

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You’re invited! On October 20, join fellow library-lovers for a Night in the Stacks at the Boston Public Library! You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and dancing, as you explore one of Boston’s architectural gems. 🕺🥂📚

Through the end of September, tickets are selling at a reduced price. Link in bio.

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Sep 22

Open
You’re invited! On October 20, join fellow library-lovers for a Night in the Stacks at the Boston Public Library! You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and dancing, as you explore one of Boston’s architectural gems. 🕺🥂📚 Through the end of September, tickets are selling at a reduced price. Link in bio.

Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Book it around Boston is back on September 23 9:30am! Starting and ending at the Roxbury Branch, choose from five routes to run, walk, or bike to various BPL locations.

All participants will receive a BPL Passport: a new booklet outlining routes to walk, run, or bike between each of the BPL’s 26 locations. For each branch participants visit, they will receive a branch stamp in their BPL Passport.

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Sep 21

Open
Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Book it around Boston is back on September 23 9:30am! Starting and ending at the Roxbury Branch, choose from five routes to run, walk, or bike to various BPL locations. All participants will receive a BPL Passport: a new booklet outlining routes to walk, run, or bike between each of the BPL’s 26 locations. For each branch participants visit, they will receive a branch stamp in their BPL Passport.

The application to join Team BPL and run the 128th Boston Marathon is now open! By joining Team BPL, you will be supporting the Boston Public Library Fund in its mission to ensure the Library remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all.

Apply today at: bplfund.org/marathon

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Sep 20

Open
The application to join Team BPL and run the 128th Boston Marathon is now open! By joining Team BPL, you will be supporting the Boston Public Library Fund in its mission to ensure the Library remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. Apply today at: bplfund.org/marathon

Entrepreneur Lauren Jones Forbes recognized a need for supporting Black women who felt overworked, stressed, and trapped in their daily routines. With a business concept in mind and a strong professional background, Lauren just needed to strengthen her business skills.

That’s where the BPL came in. With the help of the Entrepreneur in Residence program, Lauren launched her new business – Look into Your Life: Transformative Life Coaching for Black Women.

Thank you to our generous donors who support the Entrepreneur in Residence Program. To read more about Lauren’s journey and how private resources enhance the Library’s programs, go to bplfund.org/impact.

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Sep 18

Open
Entrepreneur Lauren Jones Forbes recognized a need for supporting Black women who felt overworked, stressed, and trapped in their daily routines. With a business concept in mind and a strong professional background, Lauren just needed to strengthen her business skills. That’s where the BPL came in. With the help of the Entrepreneur in Residence program, Lauren launched her new business – Look into Your Life: Transformative Life Coaching for Black Women. Thank you to our generous donors who support the Entrepreneur in Residence Program. To read more about Lauren’s journey and how private resources enhance the Library’s programs, go to bplfund.org/impact.

In the past year, 4,739 patrons visited the Boston Public Library to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved careers. As demand rises, generous grants through the Boston Public Library Fund enabled the Library to hire two new career counselors.

Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, said, “Companies are demanding new and different skills, and thanks to generous grants, the BPL is answering the call to reach a greater number of job seekers and create a more equitable city.”

Thank you to @hearst, @highlandstreetfoundation, and State Street for bringing the BPL’s workforce efforts to scale.

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Sep 15

Open
In the past year, 4,739 patrons visited the Boston Public Library to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved careers. As demand rises, generous grants through the Boston Public Library Fund enabled the Library to hire two new career counselors. Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, said, “Companies are demanding new and different skills, and thanks to generous grants, the BPL is answering the call to reach a greater number of job seekers and create a more equitable city.” Thank you to @hearst, @highlandstreetfoundation, and State Street for bringing the BPL’s workforce efforts to scale.

Next Tuesday, September 19, the BPL welcomes friend and supporter Michael Goldberg for an online discussion: Disease or Normal Variation: Who Decides?

Dr. Goldberg, Professor Emeritus, Tufts University School of Medicine, will explore how perceptions of disease change through time and how our biases and beliefs inform that decision. To register for the online event, visit bpl.org.

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Sep 12

Open
Next Tuesday, September 19, the BPL welcomes friend and supporter Michael Goldberg for an online discussion: Disease or Normal Variation: Who Decides? Dr. Goldberg, Professor Emeritus, Tufts University School of Medicine, will explore how perceptions of disease change through time and how our biases and beliefs inform that decision. To register for the online event, visit bpl.org.

Boston students are back to school, and we want to thank Bain Capital Community Partnership for their continued support of the Homework Assistance Program (HAP). HAP is a free after-school service led by trained teen mentors who offer homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8.

Sessions start the week of September 20 at several BPL Branches. To see where HAP services are offered, visit bpl.org.

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Sep 8

Open
Boston students are back to school, and we want to thank Bain Capital Community Partnership for their continued support of the Homework Assistance Program (HAP). HAP is a free after-school service led by trained teen mentors who offer homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8. Sessions start the week of September 20 at several BPL Branches. To see where HAP services are offered, visit bpl.org.
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Site Development + Design: Bonnie Katz Design
Site Concept Designer: Adam & Co

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