To: Uphams Corner News
I am sending a letter of hope, vision and concern to Mayor Menino about
the lack of educational opportunities in Uphams Corner, a section of
the city that also has a low educational attainment rate. I am
sending it to Uphams Corner News in hopes that you will share my letter
with the community. Thank you in advance. Shemiram
September 12, 2012
Dear Mayor Menino:
Thank you so much for all you do to improve the quality of life of the people in the City of Boston.
These days I have been inspired, and motivated by the speeches given by
our Democratic leaders at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) who
have been laying the pivotal facts, challenges, and hopes for a better
future for this country. We heard amongst other topics how EDUCATION is
the most important, and vital subject that brings change, hope,
prosperity, and success.
Today I want to express my enthusiasm, and my hopes in this letter for this place in Dorchester - Uphams Corner, where I live.
Uphams Corner is comprised of many different immigrants who have come a
long distance from different parts of the world for the search of a
better life. Most of them don't speak English; have no skills that
would employ them in the 21st century work opportunities.
Over my years, I have met many people who, with even a little bit of
education or job training, have been able to stabilize their lives
financially and help liberate them. Education or, at least initially, job training can
make such a huge difference.
So I am asking for your help. Uphams Corner needs an ADULT
EDUCATIION
CENTER, where people can learn vocational skills, and become
electricians, carpenters, plumbers or learn computer skills. We need to
have center for ADULT EDUCATION for art, music, business etc.... where
people can be inspired, and creative.
It's not like there isn't a lot of space in Uphams Corner. We have
plenty of empty buildings including the Masonic Building and the old
St. Kevin's School which is a very large plot of land. Right now the
St. Kevin's campus is becoming a den for drug addicts, thieves, and
homeless. The grounds trashed with litter, needles, human waste.
Recently, someone walking back there was mugged. We need to
change that.
The change has to be based on well-designed and balanced priorities to
create jobs, and prosperity. I understand that site has been set aside
for low income housing. But Uphams Corner, especially Columbia
Rd, already has plenty of subsidized and low income housing. Yet we
have no sites for adult education. In my opinion the balance is
way off. We need to come with a better plan to make education
available, and give the tools to those who then will be eventually able
to afford a sustainable life.
At the end let's do what we believe in doing. The time is now.
Respectfully,
Shemiram Fabian
Longtime Uphams Corner resident
Image taken from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform - VUE - Voices in Urban Education, Issue No 34, Education for Liberation.
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Posted: September 14, 2012 Nancy J Conrad
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