Paul Tough

Writer & Speaker

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

A Promise Neighborhood in Boston?

In the Boston Globe, an article about an effort to make Boston the site of one of President Obama’s new Promise Neighborhoods:

Today, a group of Boston nonprofit leaders – led by City Year’s Hubie Jones – will be touring the [Harlem Children’s Zone], as they launch a campaign to make the city one of Obama’s chosen sites. Obama is calling his endeavor “Promise Neighborhoods,” a nod to the program’s success in boosting student achievement and reducing hospitalization rates for children with asthma, among other feats.

“It’s time for Boston to think differently about how to deliver programs to these really distressed neighborhoods,” said Jones, who will be blogging from today’s tour as part of his effort to generate local interest. “If the Harlem Children’s Zone or something like it is a good idea for Boston to do, we ought to get ready for it or we will be passed over by the Obama administration.”


7 comments on “A Promise Neighborhood in Boston?

  1. Charles Desmond says:

    I’m interested in knowing the progress of this endeavor. Can someone get back to me with updated information?

  2. Paul Tough says:

    Charles,

    I haven’t heard anything recently about the progress of this particular initiative, but I do know there’s continuing interest in Boston in being one of the first cities to apply for a Promise Neighborhood grant.

    Paul

  3. Harvey Bidwell says:

    I would like to know what is happening in Boston and who I can contact in Boston to develop a Promise Neighborhood.

  4. Harvey Bidwell says:

    I would like to know how to best contact Hubie Jones or whoever is working to develop a Promise Neighborhood in Boston.

  5. Maren Tober says:

    I am with Harvey. How to get in contact with the group… I’d like to help them. Excellent idea.

  6. Hi Mr. Paul Tough,
    A group of us, concerned educators, understand that education is proportional to economic success and would like to both establish and actively support a “Promise Neighborhood”. How can we learn more about establishing and implementing such a program? Thank you.

    Dr. Adamczeski
    P.S. Your book, “Whatever it Takes” is not only informative but also inspirational.

  7. Paul Tough says:

    Harvey and Maren and Dr. Adamczeski:

    I’m glad to hear there’s such interest in bringing a Promise Neighborhood to Boston. I don’t have any additional information on the group that is or was forming there. I think the best way to reach Hubie Jones is through City Year — go to cityyear.org for contact information. I’d also suggest that you take a look at hcz.org for more information about the conference they’re hosting in a week; someone there may know whether Boston is sending a delegation, and if so, how to get in touch with that group.

    Best of luck — keep me posted.

    Paul

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