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Dorchester

Lead Section

Dorchester also has Carney Hospital located on Dorchester Avenue, which provides the neighborhood with many services. The hospitals aim is to provide the community with good health and wellness. Along with providing health and wellness Dorchester has a local organization; Urban Asthma Coalition who's mission is to build a strong and coordinated approach for the prevention of asthma and control in the Boston area. In the aim of wellness Dorchester also has local shelters like Pilgrim church (children's services of Roxbury) providing those who need help with a secure place where they can have a meal, and a place to sleep. To provide a safe environment for the neighborhood the Local police department Boston Police Department District C-11 focuses to provide the community with crime prevention and safety tips.

The Dorchester area consist of many low income families where the average income for a household is very common, this is due to the lack of jobs in the area. Along with lack of jobs in the area there is lack of health resources, and educational resources which two organizations; First Parish Dorchester and The Bowdoin Geneva Resident Association are working closely knit with the Boston City hall to resolve. In future plans to improve the city of Dorchester Mayor Marty Walsh proposed a Five-year Capital investment, in this Five-year Capital investment he plans to make changes to the community libraries along with the local parks to create a better physical environment for the city of Dorchester.

The town has various community resources including the Daily Table, which offers a healthy alternative to fast food and other unhealthy options. They partner with many organizations in order to remain non-profit and to serve the community best. There are also places that help kids want to learn and further themselves in the academic sense, the Bell program offers summer courses as well as after school programs. Dorchester has a lot to offer entertainment wise, there are plenty of pubs, libraries, museums, as well as various shops. There is something for everyone to be able to dip into whether its food or art or generally anything else.

Dorchester has four main banks, three main credit unions, and two quick cashes that provides the residents of Dorchester quick access to their money. Along with the convinent acess to their money Dorchester also has various parks one being Pope John Paul II Park Reservation [1] which is 66 acres in size and has numerous trails for; running, walking, and hiking. The park also offers other activities such as; fishing, bird watching, playgrounds, and fields that have immense space for soccer or baseball. Franklin park [2] was established in 1885 and 485 acres include paved paths which are perfect for taking a nice run, walking and enjoying the scenery, tennis courts, baseball fields, golf courses, and also basketball courts. The Kite and Bike festival traditionally takes place in Franklin Park.

Dorchester is safer than 47% of the cities in Massachusetts Crime in Dorchester can be monitored by category using crime maps

Housing

Most of Dorchester's population, about 63.3% or 72,239 people, live in rental units. The gross median monthly rent is $1,450, which totals $17,40 per year. There are estimated 40,180 people (35.3%) living in owner-occupied homes, and 1.4% or 1556 residents live in group homes/shelters.

Excluding government-owned housing, Dorchester has 15,918 residential buildings and there are 4,344 or 27.3% single-family homes, 3,674 or 23.1% two-family homes, 3,919 or 24.6% three-family homes, and 3,981 or 25.0% condo units. The median sales price for all residential property is 244,450. In 2013, there were 52 foreclosures reported in Dorchester, representing 22.41% of the 232 foreclosures reported for the entire City Boston. Subsequently, 37 out 147 distressed building document in Boston are located in Dorchester.

Health Care

Carney Hospital is located on 2100 Dorchester Avenue Dorchester, MA 02124. Carney Hospital provides over 500 physicians with primary care and specialist physicians. They provided services like Behavior health, Cancer Care, Cardiac & Vascular, Gynecology services, Neurology, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation & Physical therapy, along with many more services. Carney Hospital aims to provided the Dorchester community with health and wellness. Carney Hospital has been serving the community since 1863. It is affiliated with Tufts University School Of Medicine, making it a teaching and training hospital for upcoming physicians in both internal medicine and family medicine.

Codman Square Heath Center is a community based outpatient healthcare located on 637 Washington street, Dorchester MA. They have been a functioning clinic since 1979 with the dream "To build the best urban community in America". They employe about 280 multi-lingual staff members whom most of them reside in the neighborhoods surrounding Codman square. The mission of the clinic is to serve as a resource for improving the mental, social, and physical well being of the community. The clinic is very affordable, great quality and is highly ranked within Boston's most vulnerable communities. Codman Clinic has had many achievements some of which consist of developing an innovative diabetes care model, collaboration with in-house charter public high schools, and providing prescriptions to the health works fitness center for women and children. Codman Square Health Center is primarily affiliated with Boston Medical Center, proving the community with the highest quality health care in the area.

In Dorchester there is a local Organization by the name of Urban Asthma Coalition. This organization aims to promote the collaboration between other organizations and residents who are concerned about factors in the community that affect asthma. The factors in the community tend to be the Environment, quality of health care, access to health care, and education. Residents can join the active committee to promote better health and awareness. The aim is to collaborate with the communities to change the policies through administrative advocasy that affect the community members who have asthma. They have been successful in providing 1,000 new healthy and affordable housing in a year, green and healthy cleaners for the local schools, a city program that works with health professionals and enforcement officers to further the improvement of housing qualities for the children of the area.

Safety

Boston Police District C-11 Dorchester, located 40 Gibson St, Dorchester, MA 02122. To create an enviorment of trust, and empower the neighborhood is the goal. There are over 50 community meetings held monthly that allow the police department to partner with the seniors, community residents, business as well as the faith-based leaders of dorchester. The police department also works closely to provide the community with crime prevention and safety tips. "Communication is the life-blood of our neighborhood"

Dorchester has available shelters for those in need, a homeless shelter by the name of Pilgrim church (children's services of Roxbury) that is an adult shelter open to men only. This shelter is located on 540 Columbia Road Dorchester MA The shelter is run by the Pilgrim church and it offers over night shelter, food, clothing, showers, first aid, and other supportive services. The shelter also provides evening transportation from Boston to the shelter. The shelter was originally established in 1990 by positive lifestyles and now is currently under the direction of United Homes Adult services.

Public Utilities

-      Basic Services

-      Public works department

-      To get information about trash pick up Sanitation department (617-635-7573)

-      Boston recycling (617-635-4959)

-      To report pot holes (617-635-4500)

Urban Policies

Income - Massachusetts sales tax rate is 6.25%, income tax is 5.20%. Income per capita is $18,226 which includes adults and children. Median household income $30,419.

Public Policy Issues

There are many controversial public issues that are on the agenda for action by the city hall in Boston. These controversial issues have been in the works for months even years and many of the Dorchester residents are being directly affected along with the quality of their lives. Local residents and activist are working together to find ways to address the issues not only for them and their children but their neighborhoods as well. Some of the problems are public safety, high crime volume, poor educational resources, and lack of housing for low income families. The goals of the organizations are to provided the neighborhood with

- Good Jobs/living wage

- Education for the children

- Housing

- Healthcare resources & Access

- Public Safety & Policy Relations

The Two organizations that are working close knit to tackle these issues; First Parish Dorchester and The Bowdoin Geneva Resident Association.

City Budget Plans

Mayor Marty Walsh proposed a budget for 2017 in which included is a five year capital plan that is intended to make improvements to the infrastructure in Dorchester. His plan to look at the more important likely spending priorities of the administration, this is good news for the communities. The new projects involve building new libraries and also a modernizing the Boston Public Libraries branches in Dorchester. There was a time where city budgets were not sufficient enough where the city came close to shutting down Dorchester Lower Mills Section. Its refreshing to see that Dorchester will be getting an infusion of the city spending that will make an impact on Dorchester Avenue and Adams Street.

The City parks are also another investment Walsh intends to take on in the Five year capital plan. The plans are to add more lights to Doherty-Gibson park in the fields corner and another $3.7 million to make improvements in Harambee park next to the Franklin Field. The rest of the budget is intended to be used to complete already started projects in Savin Hill, King Street, Hemenway, Dower Avenue, and Ronan Park.

Community Resource

Education

Based off of the 2010 Census Dorchester has 114,235 for a total population. Just about 15,530 are under the age of eighteen, with this they should all be attending school. A good resource for them would be the Bell Program. The Bell program is a nonprofit organization, their mission is for all students to be able to excel. This program encourages students to succeed and learn their self worth within and outside of a scholarly setting. This Program began in Boston and is now a national organization. The Bell Program partners with many schools and organizations who see the same end goal of increasing student growth through summer programs and after school programs.

Food

The former president of Trader_Joes opened a non-profit retail food shop called the Daily Table, it offers affordable options such as ready to go pre-cooked meals that are made fresh in their own kitchen everyday. They also have a wide variety of fresh produce, bread, and dairy items. This organization receives donations of the surplus of food, these places consists of local growers, supermarkets, and manufacturers. By getting the surplus they are able to keep their prices comparable with local fast food chains. The Daily Table offers a healthier alternative that is still affordable for most families. The Daily able accepts donations of money and food in order to run the business side of things. There are many partners that work with the Daily Table such as, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Future Chefs, the Dorchester YMCA, and various other facilities. The Daily Table is located on Washington Street in Dorchester, their is access to parking as well as MBTA access right in front.

Entertainment

Dorchester's population consists of around 114,235 people, within that population 26.5% is white, 6.5% of the population is black or African American, and 17% is Hispanic or Latino, the rest of the 100% various in race, all with very little percentages.Dorchester has a lot to offer for many individuals, such as the JFK Library and Museum, Boston Winery, Strand Theatre, Commonwealth Museum, Greater Boston House Concert, it has a mix of many different aspects. There are historic features, universities, art, nightlife yet its a bit city with one heart. Dorchester has Fields_Corner which is a commercial center that is one of Dorchester's largest business district. Fields Corners mission statement is to continue to be a thriving, welcoming, and secure district comprised of diverse business. There is a plethora of different restaurants, clothing stores, as well as various pubs. Fields corner is known for their Vietnamese restaurants, as well as their Irish population is larger bringing along with it a local pub scene. Right near Fields Corner is an 11 acre park known as hilltop park, this park offers a view of Dorchester bay, and offers plenty of green space for that area. Also in the summer months there is a fresh produce market in the mall parking lot. It is easily accessed by car as well as the MBTA.

Financial Exchange

Banks

• Eastern Bank
• Meetinghouse Bank
• Citizens Bank
• Bank of America

Credit Unions

• Boston Firefighter's Credit Union
• Medical Area Federal Credit Union
• Members Plus Credit Union

Quick Cash

• PLS Check Cashing
• Quick Exchange INC

Leisure activities and areas

Parks

• Pope John Paul II Park Reservation: The Pope John Park Reservation is approximately 66 acres in size, and is also open year round for the residents of Dorchester. In its earlier times it was used as a landfill and also a drive-in theatre. It also serves as a barricade between the Town of Dorchester, Boston[3] and Neponset River[4] waterfront. This park now gives residents various resources such as; Picnic facilities, soccer fields, play areas, paths for walking, and also spacious land to plant trees and shrubs. Unfortunetly, it was not always like this. In May of 2015 According to James W. Dolan Pope John Paul Park Reservation was not the same as it used to be. The State Department of Conservation and Recreation which is responsible for the park is not really doing its job. The plants are either dead or overgrown. There are no gardens or trees that would catch anyone's eye and also no picnic tables or grills where families could gather around and do a cookout. Dolan states that he wants to see people of the community planting vegetables and tending flower beds in the park, he wants to see people paddling canoes in the river and also a grove of trees so people could sit in the shade and look out at the river.

• Dorchester Park: Dorchester park was established in 1861 and is located in the southern part of Dorchester, specifically in the Cedar Grove and Lower Mills; it is also across from the Neponset River. Dorchester Park is 30 acres and many events are taken place in this historical park, one being the Annual Classic Car Show and Family Fun Day . Dorchester was also listed in the National Registrar of Historic Places .

• Franklin Park: Established in 1885 this parks 485 acres include paved paths which are perfect for taking a nice run, walking and enjoying the scenery, tennis courts, baseball fields, golf courses, and also basketball courts. Also something that is part of Franklin park is New Englands Franklin Park Zoo , where people go to explore the 9 main exhibits that contain more than 220 species of animals. Another activity that is open to the public is Kite and Bike festival which traditionally takes part in Franklin park. This event usually always lands the Saturday after Mothers day. Nearly 100 bikes are provided by Bostons Bike, these bikes range from all sizes for both children and adults. Dotbike volunteers then lead tours around the park so people can get used to riding the bikes. Aside from riding bikes, people are also allowed to fly kites with their families.

Bike Trails

• Lower Neponset River Trail: This 2.4 mile path stretches from the historic port of Norfolk neighborhood in Dorchester, through Pope John Paul II Park, across from Granite Avenue through Neponset Marshes, and through the Lower Mills area to Central Avenue in Milton. This trail is used for running, biking, and also walking. The Neponset River Trial is adjacent to the Butler, Milton village, and Central Avenue Red Line stations which is a way some individuals that may not have their own transportation can get to the trial.

• Neponset River Green way: The Neponset River Green way totals 5 miles in length, it provides scenery to look at while taking a stroll, run, or bike ride such as; a salt marsh in Pope John Paul Park II and Tenan Beach on the mouth of Neponset River . Conveniently the trail is adjacent to three Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority red line stations such as; Butler, Milton, and Central Avenue.

Crime

Statistics

According to Area Vibes The overall crime rate in Dorchester is 30% higher than the national average, and for every 100,000 people there are 10.55 daily crimes that occur in Dorchester such as; violent crimes and property crimes. Property crime is much higher than violent crime 831 out 100,000 people are involved in violent crime, and 3,021 out of 100,000 are involved in property crime.

The chance of being a victim of:

* Property Crime= 1 in 34
• Violent Crime= 1 in 121
• Crime= 1 in 26

Dorchester is actually safer than 47% of the cities in Massachusetts,

Crime maps Crime maps allows people to track crimes by category such as; drug crimes, gun crimes, auto thefts, home invasions, aggravated assault, vandalism, prostitution, and etc. Also it checks for trends on a street-by-street basis.