For Immediate Release
July 6, 2006
Please Contact: Michael Bloom, 617-722-1650

State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios announced that the City of Cambridge received several victories in the budget which was released late last week. Several Cambridge based organizations such as the Latino After-School Initiative, Cambridge Cultural Fund, and Center for Family Connections received funding which will benefit the citizens of Cambridge. In addition, language was included in the budget establishing a Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth in the wake of Governor Romney’s elimination of the Commission in its current form.

"Cambridge residents will see continued funding for education and cultural programs that make Cambridge a unique and welcoming city," said Senator Barrios. "As always, budget negotiations are tough and I'm happy we were able to support the kinds of programs that will make a real difference in people's lives."

The Center for Family Connections (CFFC) received $187,500 to restore the adoption services it already provides to children and families served by the Dept. of Social Services. CFFC works very closely with DSS objectives to provide permanent placement to children under their care before they age out of the system at age 18.

“It is heartwarming to have a Senator who understands the ongoing needs and challenges for adoptive parents and children after adoption,” stated Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, CEO and Founder of CFFC. “Most of all, Senator Barrios sees that these families are best served by having competent and well trained professionals, who understand their challenges post adoption, and who can provide an array of services.”

The Latino After-School Initiative (LASI) received $250,000 for their regular program and an additional $150,000 to fund jobs for teenagers. LASI creates model after-school programs that identify youths' skill strengths and learning styles, and builds these skills through academic and vocational programming to stem poverty, school drop out rates, violence and hopelessness in the local Latino community.

“We are pleased with the support of Senator Barrios during the budget process,” stated Program Manger for LASI, Marcelo Juica. “LASI will have the opportunity to continue working with our network of organizations, providing excellent after-school programs to hundreds of children, continue to support their academic needs, and their social development.

The Cambridge Cultural Fund received $85,000 in funding for the organization of a cultural fair and a Latin American festival in the City of Cambridge.

“Cambridge is an exciting place and the city can now pilot an 'Excitement Lab' thanks in part to $85,000 from the Commonwealth,” stated Mayor Ken Reeves. I asked Senator Barrios to help gain additional funding for Cambridge events and he delivered!”

The Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth received a total of $500,000 in funding. The money would support the safety of gay and lesbian students and the implementation of related suicide-prevention and violence-prevention efforts. In addition, an independent Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth would be created and would not be subject to the control of any other department or agency. The commission would be made up of members from community-based organization and continue to work on crucial issues such as training for mental health service providers in school settings and facilitating faculty trainings geared towards ending school-based violence against gay youth.

"The Commission oversees life-saving programs for a group of youth who are very much at-risk. I'm glad that we have been able to create a permanent independent commission to respond to these issues," said Rep. Alice Wolf.

“Those of us adults who have been working for 20 years on the issue concerning the welfare of GLBT youth are very happy that Senator Barrios, Rep. Wolf and other legislators have labored to establish this commission” stated former senior trainer for the Department of Education of the Safe Schools Initiative, Arthur Lipkin.

The budget, which was released this morning by a conference committee comprised of House and Senate members, now heads to the Governor’s office for either his signature or veto.

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