CMM 48 Years Timeline
1966 Overview: Charles H. Harper, 1966-1977- founder of CMM; Cooperative
Metropolitan Ministries was founded as a Christian-Jewish organization by 14 churches,
synagogues and organizations then 20 by end of year. Suburban and urban offices: Based
in 34 Concord St. in South End, Boston and in Eliot Church in Newton
Housing/Hunger: Concord Square Trust (CST), a CMM subsidiary, was organized and
subsequently completed the renovation in Boston’s South End of a prototype building
containing 2 small apartments and the CMM office
Volunteerism: 28 work groups involving 250 people from CMM temples and churches
engaged in a variety of volunteer projects, including housing renovations, neighborhood
improvement and playground construction in the South End.
Education/Training/Legislative Work: In collaboration with Northeastern University,
CMM began continuing education programs for clergy concerning urban community
issues. Also, seminars on urban social issues were conducted at the Boston YMCA for
people in member churches & temples.
1967 Housing/Hunger: The Revolving Loan Fund was established with a grant of
$34,000 from the Committee of the Permanent Charity Fund- loans given out to lowmoderate income housing development. CST acquired five more buildings on Concord
Square and began planning for their renovations.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: Seminars continued at Needham School of Religion
Volunteerism: 30 youth work groups involving over 300 people participated in a variety
of community improvement programs. CMM develops consulting and assistance
capabilities servicing 20 different urban community programs
1968 Housing/Hunger: A grant of $25,000 from the Committee of the Permanent
Charity Fund enabled CMM, in collaboration with St. Stephen's Church, to begin the
Emergency Tenant's Council with a purpose of housing and social service in a
predominately Puerto Rican section of Boston's South End. CST began rehabilitation of
12 apartment units in Concord Square. Committee for North Harvard received a $10,000
loan from CMM Revolving Loan Fund to help cover preliminary costs of a 200 until lowmoderate income housing development in Brighton. A second loan of $17,000 was made
to Union Church Home’s, Inc.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: The Scholarship Fund for Urban Ministry Students
was established
Misc. Projects: (VISTA formed in 1965) Federal VISTA program was initiated for
housing and social service project in South End. Quote: “For the first time in the nation,
indigenous community people were employed as VISTA workers to provide social
services.” Soon after a suburban VISTA program began.
1969 Overview: Grown to 32 member congregations (Jewish and Christian)
Housing/Hunger: CST completed the 14 units begun the previous year and added
another 12 apartments to its list of completions.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: “Urban Dynamics”, a simulation game,
was introduced to CMM constituency as a new teaching tool to help members understand
the economic and political process which create and maintain patterns of poverty and
racial isolation.
Misc. Projects: The “Suburban Action committee” was formed to work with suburban
communities on issues of community development and social justice (Lexington,
Wellesley, Needham, Waltham, and Winchester)
1970 Housing/Hunger: Federal VISTA negotiated with federal gov’t to work with El
Movimento Hispano En Accion, begun that year in Roxbury-North Dorchester to work as
a housing advocate for low-income tenants and to provide social services. CST assisted in
beginning a minority owned restaurant in Dorchester.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM Legislative Committee was formed to assist
our members in taking action on proposed human services legislation
Volunteerism: Over 100 volunteers helped carry out CMM work this year
1971Housing/Hunger: CMM worked with NAACP on housing issues for special
interest to the Black Community. The Committee for North Harvard completed the 200
unit Interfaith Homes in Brighton. ETC completed 74 units of rehabilitation housing in
South End.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: A project with Boston Theological Institute to place
field education and work-study students with CMM to staff the Legislative Committee,
do research, and get information to our churches and temples about important legislative
developments in the human services field
Volunteerism: Also, CMM helped to organize the Voluntary Action Center of
Metropolitan Boston (VAC) to facilitate the work of volunteers in social service
organizations throughout metro area
Misc. Projects: Chinese Golden Age Center put into operation by CMM VISTA
volunteers.
1972 Overview: Grown to 45 member congregations
Housing/Hunger: Washington D.C. began to dismantle the federal housing programs
that CMM worked on for 6 years and in Collaboration with Norumbega Association,
CMM conducts a survey to determine the need for subsidized housing in suburban
communities in the route 128 areas. CMM formed the Worcester Street Trust in order to
begin more housing rehabilitation in the South End.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: The Legislative Com. Developed and distributed
a “how-to-do-it” kit for social concerns committees to assist them in organizing for
advocacy of human services legislation
1973 Housing/Hunger: CMM’s Worcester Street Trust (WST) secured $570,000 in
financing from the Massachusetts Housing and Finance Agency to begin 31-unit
rehabilitation program in South End. ETC began construction of 204 units of housing for
the elderly.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM distributed a listing of minority owned
and operated businesses to our membership and urged their patronage
1974 Housing/Hunger: WST completed 31-unit project in South End. ETC completed
its 2014 unit development for the elderly. Emphasis on research and advocacy work for
housing in particular
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM helped organize the Office for Citizen
Participation at the State House. (Its purpose is to upgrade the ability of state government
to utilize volunteers in delivering human services.) CMM collaborated with other private
citizen groups to organize Massachusetts Research Center, whose purpose is to be a
research arm for citizen groups engaged in human services advocacy. Also, CMM
provides leadership in organizing for community groups in Boston to help implement
Phase One School Desegregation.
Relevant US History: The Boston busing crisis (1974–1988) was a series of protests and
riots that occurred in Boston, Massachusetts in response to the passing of the 1965 Racial
Imbalance Act, which ordered public schools in the state to desegregate.
1975 Overview: 45 member congregations, 444 Individual and family members
Housing/Hunger: CMM assists Emergency Tenant's Council in the start-up
of 181 units of mixed income housing in the South End.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM trained clergy in Boston neighborhoods
to help maintain peace in local schools undergoing court-ordered desegregation.
CMM co-sponsored a citizens’ legislative workshop to help people understand the
legislative process and how they can make their views known. Following, CMM
collaborated in organizing advocacy groups in 12 suburban communities to work with the
State Legislature toward the goal of increased financial aid to schools in poor
communities.
1976 Housing/Hunger: 30 volunteers began providing meals to “Rosie’s Place” a
drop-in center. Revolving Loan Fund assisted ETC in beginning the rehabilitation of 63
mixed-income housing units in Boston’s South End.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM initiated a collaborative program of support for
METCO in 20 local communities involved in bringing inner city minority students into
suburban school systems. CMM staff edited and helped raise funds to publish a Resource
Guide to Quality Education in the Greater Boston Area. The Public Policy Committee
began a program of resourcing local committees of social concern with background
papers and other informational materials pertaining to selected social justice and human
service concerns.
1977 Overview: New Executive Director- Marvera Murphy, 1977-1985
Housing/Hunger: Over 100 volunteers were organized into teams of 6-8 people to cook
and serve one meal a month at the newly organized drop-in shelter for women, Rosie’s
place--clothing was collected and holiday gifts. Concord Square Trust and Worcester
Trust housing were sold and the trusts dissolved.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM and Mass. Council of Churches co-sponsored a
Tax Forum, and worked on welfare reform legislation.
Elder Care: "Cooperative Living of Newton" --CMM worked with Newton UCC
committees to begin developing a congregate home for older people who could not or did
not want to live alone. Residents shared kitchen, living room, dining rom, and bath, had
own bedrooms.
1978 Housing/Hunger: Volunteers began collecting surplus food
from stores and bakeries and delivering it to four food and emergency shelter sites in
Boston, also developed a warehouse/an emergency food bank for storing food donated by
manufacturers for distribution to agencies (Later to become Boston Food Bank)
Elder Care: A nursing home ombudsman program was established, in which CMM
trained volunteers as legal rights visitors to visit 25 homes at least 3 hours a week to do
problem solving on behalf of the residents, and to provide a bridge between residents,
staff, and community.
Misc. Projects: CMM co-sponsored a day-long conference at the Harriet Tubman House
in response to local organizing efforts by the Ku Klux Klan.
1979 Housing/Hunger: CMM formed the Boston Food Pantry, an emergency food
program open three days a week staffed by volunteers, to collect, receive and distribute
food for emergency meal programs.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: Opened up “Legislative Process Workshop”,
previously for seminarians and staff, to entire membership
Elder Care: Hired two part-time social workers to operate a nursing home info and
referral service called Choices for Living, to help individuals with nursing home
placement decisions. Cooperative Living of Newton was incorporated as a separate
organization with its own board of directors. $70,500 was raised for a congregate home.
1980 Housing/Hunger: The Boston Food Bank was incorporated as a separate entity,
obtaining a community service grant to purchase a warehouse and food lockers so that
surplus food program could expand to receive large institutional shipments from
manufacturers. Also Hungry Sabbath collections began, resulting in thousands of cans of
food from individuals, churches, and temples. 63 agencies were served by food program.
Volunteerism: A resource booklet was published, listing 20 agencies in the Boston area
that could use youth groups to work on service projects. A pilot project, which received
national attention in the media, used CMM staff to run a year long project using youth
from 2 churches in an ecumenical work-reflection experience
Prison Work: CMM developed a prison newsletter at Walpole Prison, providing an
outlet for communication between those inside and those outside correctional institutions.
An ecumenical task force was formed to investigate allegations of prison abuses.
Weatherization: CMM provides part-time staff to Energy Housewarmings, a community
based effort to disseminate information about weatherization. Information on legislation
concerning availability of weatherization funds for low-income people is a primary effort.
1981 Housing/Hunger: Loans made to Lower Roxbury Coalition for a Community
Land Trust. Grants are made to Dudley St.-Hampden St. Tenant’s Association to
purchase materials for rehabilitation of two burned apartments. CMM provided labor
volunteers. Hunger Action Task Force assists with meal preparation at 5 emergency meal
sites.
Elder Care: Consumer Guide to Nursing Homes in the West Suburban Area is
published. Respite Care Program, which provides assistance to families caring for frail
elder at home, developed cooperatively with West Suburban Elder Services.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: Staff assistance provided to “Waging Peace
Conference” held at Harvard University
1982 Overview: 38 member congregations, 5 Contributing non-member congregations,
354, Individual and Family members
Housing/Hunger: Surplus food now working 7 days a week; Rehabilitate low-income
apartments for Hispanic tenants’ association. Weatherize the first floor of a block-long
building to decrease mothly costs for low-income apartments.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM developed a survival English program for
South East Asian refugees
Elder Care: Elder care continues, 2 books were published to provide comprehensive
information on local nursing home placement decisions.
1983 Education/Legislative Advocacy: Four women were trained on use of office
equipment, particularly use of micro-computer. Three found employment.
Elder Care: CMM published another area’s version-Consumer Guide to Nursing Homes
for Merrimack Valley. Ombudsman programs and Choices for Living spin-off from
operating under CMM umbrella. Programs go to Jewish Family and Children's Services,
Baypath Senior Services and West Suburban Elder Services.
1984 Housing/Hunger: CMM makes contributions to Rosie's Place after
it was destroyed by fire, also to Alanzia Hispana for its Dudley Street rehabilitation
project, and to the Dorchester Family Shelter for a new roof. CMM sends out newsletters
to educate their member congregations about homelessness issues.
Elder Care: Fifth ed. Of housing options guidebook was published, "The Enlightened
Consumer's Guide to Elder Housing Independence"
1985 Overview: Interim Executive Director: Steve Gary (Fall 1985- Fall 1986)
Housing/Hunger: Protein drive collects over 1,943 pounds of protein foods that are
distributed to shelters and food pantries. CMM organizes an effort to collect 2,000
signatures for "Right to Housing" Campaign, which has the goal of amending the state
constitution to make housing a right of all people in the state.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM developed a legislative hotline of people
willing to write letters or make phone calls at critical times during the budget process or
when other hunger related legislation is pending.
Misc. Projects: CMM held a fundraising concert in which the Sephardic folk music of,
“Voice of the Turtle”, performed. CMM co-sponsored a conference with Interfaith Peace
Network of Greater Boston, entitled: “Peacemaking In Congregations: Hope and
Strategies for the Future”
1986 Overview: Year in Transition, Steve Gary puts in resignation in summer and
leaves in Autumn, no ED until next summer
Housing/Hunger: In June, CMM published its Guide to Suburban Food Pantries and
Soup Kitchens. CMM held viewings for the documentary: “Empty Plates: Hunger at
Home” and offered congregations to rent the documentary from the office. Protein drive
continues, recognizing food pantries are often under-stocked with protein-rich goods.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM joined forces with a number of other hunger
and nutrition groups to form a coalition and lobby for more funding for a Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) nutritional program. Also, CMM joined coalition of groups
working to bring the benefit levels of AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)
grants up to the poverty level. (At the time, CMM was the only interreligious
organization to pursue this effort.)
1987 Overview: New Executive Director: Claire Kashuck Fall 1986-2006 C.M.M.
current Committees—Hunger, Housing, Elder Concerns, Information on Social Justice
Issues, and Networking. This year was described in a Fall newsletter, 1987- “year in
crisis”, which was preceded in 1986- the “year of survival” and planning forward for
1988-“the year of rebuilding”
Housing/Hunger: Spring protein drive continues among 32 member churches and
temples (compared with 24 the year before) with donated foods to be sent to urban and
suburban food pantries. “Second home” is open for occupancy- a housing project in
Roxbury, brick apartment building in Roxbury, which will be home for 24 homeless,
handicapped men and women plus staff. CMM Housing Committee assisted with search
for the property, recruitment of volunteers to help rehab of building and granting money.
Misc. Projects: Continued work with Interfaith Aids Ministry (I.A.M.), a nonprofit
cooperation of men and women with an interest in promoting AIDS awareness, spiritual
support, and guidance for AIDS related concerns. CMM provided $5,000 seed money to
their organization in its early stages. In June, CMM received their “Tax Exempt status”
and focused on a publicity campaign to acquaint and reacquaint the public with CMM.
(One idea- an art contest for children in CMM member congs. with an interfaith theme
and the CMM logo.)
1988 Housing/Hunger Guide to Suburban Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries is updated
and sent to all CMM members. CMM put out a call for volunteers living in the suburbs to
remain engaged with the Boston Food Bank (now it’s own separate entity) located in
Roxbury. By the end of the year over 50 volunteers were engaged. Spring Protein Drive
continued. One of CMM’s members began their own usable clothing and household
furnishings collection (in her garage) to be distributed to various shelters and
organizations in need. CMM wrote to members to encourage more people to partake in
such efforts.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM reinstated its program to host seminarians as a
fieldwork placements.
Misc. Projects: CMM scheduled visits to congregations to give presentation on history
of CMM (22 years old at this point) and current programs. Benefit concert held by
children’s musician, David Polansky.
1989 Overview: CMM writes a new mission statement: “CMM is a nonprofit interfaith
organization committed to working on issues of social justice. CMM seeks to create a
partnership between suburban and inner city communities through hands-on projects and
education programs to promote a just society.”
Housing/Hunger: Second Home, a single room occupancy house for homeless people in
Dorchester, opens for occupancy (a three year project). CMM then shifts housing focus to
a new initiative, a third house to be added to the 2 which Second Home Inc. currently
operates. CMM food collection and distribution volunteer initiatives continued. Spring
Protein drive continued, recognizing that protein foods are still in short supply in food
pantries. Each year, the protein drive generated donations of more than one ton of high
quality food.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM is again a part of the field education program
of Andover Newton Theological School
Misc. Projects: CMM continued financial support for Interfaith Aids Ministry (IAM).
Another benefit concert held by musician, David Polansky, and a Choral Concert of
Harvard Pro Musica also held a benefit concert for CMM.
1990 Housing/Hunger: CMM shift towards longer-term hunger relief goals, and
influences local legislation. However, CMM still continued their timely action projects,
such as Spring Protein Drive and ongoing coordination of furniture, clothing, and food
donations.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: A legislative breakfast focusing on child nutrition is
sponsored by CMM. Six legislators and over 100 CMM members and concerned citizens
attend. Dr. Deborah Frank, Director of the Failure to Thrive Clinic at Boston City
Hospital, is the keynote speaker. Out of this breakfast CMM formed a Hunger Task
Force.
Misc. Projects: CMM held a yard sale at Eliot Church, which generated a net profit of
$1,300 and the remaining merchandise left over was donated to family shelters.
1991 Housing/Hunger: Protein Drive Continued; Renovations of Cornerstone
Community, permanent single room occupancy housing in Central Square, Cambridge
for nine men and women with a history of homelessness. Began in Feb, ended in July.
CMM, project developer, raised $35,000 for the development costs, recruited volunteer
work groups from our membership and oversaw the renovations and furnishing of the
house (40) Also, information on hunger issues was disseminated to our membership.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: Continuation of the Legislative “phone tree” which
identifies a contact person at each of member organization.
Misc. Projects: Summary of volunteering activities, wide-range: sorting and delivering
used clothing, distributing donated bread, helping to renovate affordable housing for
homeless people, sponsoring monthly birthday parties at Roxbury Family Shelter, sorting
salvage food at Boston Food Pantry, and more
1992 Housing/Hunger: Distributed list of selected urban food pantries; distributed
CMM guide to Suburban Food Pantries and Meals Programs to social action committees
of member congregations; channeled food donations to Haitian community in
Cambridge; continued response to emergency needs. Continued annual Spring Protein
Drive.
Volunteerism: CMM congregations provided volunteer labor time and donations
towards the construction of a playroom and outdoor facilities in Somerville house, New
Day program.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM organized its membership to advocate for the
passage of Massachusetts Childhood Hunger Relief Bill
Elder Care: Established “CMM Players”- an intergenerational troupe of volunteer actors
(Coors Foundation created a video of skits- to educate about elder housing issues) Elder
Housing Workshops continued
Misc. Projects: CMM co-sponsored Project Bread’s legislative breakfast as well as
served as a co-sponsor of Suburban-Urban Network forums.
1993 Housing/Hunger: Linked a suburban Temple with a project
in an inner city food pantry (94) Renovation of “New Day” playroom- a unique
residential treatment program for pregnant women and their children
Held meeting between H.O.M.E. Coalition, Senator Lois Pines, David Cohen and
Newton communities to endorse current legislation to combat homelessness
Elder Care: CMM publishes "Elder Housing Information: A Consumer's Guide to
Housing Options for Elders". Conducted workshops with elders in 7 communities about
housing alternatives
Misc. Projects: Response to direct calls: furniture to a family new to city for Children's
Hospital; clothing for a family burnt out of their apartment. Supplied St. Frances de Sales
Summer Camp in Roxbury with art supplies, books and toys for 275 AFDC children.
Also secured donations of hundreds of books to low-income families in Chelsea.
1994 Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM’s Legislative Advocacy Committee
hosts a dialogue with state legislators on the Home for ALL bill, one aspect of large
CMM campaign (Home if Key for ALL) to support this bill. CMM continues it’s Spring
Protein drive. CMM was approached by The Homeless Empowerment Group to help
establish a new program of support- Coupons, Inc. There were mixed reactions of
member support and member opposition to the project.
Volunteerism: CMM continues to research and publicize volunteer opportunities for our
member congregations. In 1994 one was at a homeless children’s shelter, and the other
was to engage with another network of Interfaith Volunteers called “MATCH-UP”
working with older and disabled persons in order to decrease isolation and enhance
quality of life.
Misc. Projects: CMM was presented the Humanitarian Award from Spare Change, the
newspaper published by the homeless community. First Annual Interfaith Choral Festival
fund-raiser held in November. Six urban and suburban choirs from CMM member
congregation’s filled the sanctuary of Second Church in Newton—Jewish and Christian
traditions. The choral event raised over $5000; Children’s book drive, in which hundreds
of books are sent to Chelsea Family Life Program.
1995
Urban-Suburban: Established partnership with Boston’s Ten Point Coalition to
implement #5 of Ten Points- to establish links between suburban and [urban] churches
and front-line ministries—lead to CMM’s Urban-Suburban Dinner & Dialogue.
Volunteerism: CMM organized 4 sessions of “Youth Outreach Weekends”, for high
school students to learn about homelessness and volunteer in the Boston Community. The
volunteering was coupled discussions on issues of poverty and homelessness.
Misc. Projects: Interfaith Choral Festival occurred again in Fall.
1996 Overview: At the end of 1996 CMM moves towards a more encompassing
definition of “interfaith” as Muslim participants and Board members join efforts
Mission Statement: “Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries (CMM), founded in 1966, is
an interfaith association of 51 churches and synagogues in 16 urban and suburban greater
Boston communities. Our purpose is to improve major social concerns through urbansuburban cooperation, resource sharing and action.”
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM Legislative Advocacy Committee spent year
examining most effective approaches to advocacy within their network of congregations
Misc. Projects: Monthly Urban-Suburban dialogue dinners attended by average of 25
persons
1997 Overview: CMM stopped using Judeo-Christian symbols for Logo in newsletters
and changed description from “churches and synagogues” in their mission statement to:
“an interfaith coalition of congregations throughout Boston area”
Expanded “Interfaith”: Muslim Board member listed in 1997- Rahim Al-Kaleem; there
was a partnership between Rabbis of Temple Shalom in Newton and the Imam of the
Masjid Al-Quran in Roxbury for shared worship and service projects
Misc. Projects: Urban-Suburban Dinner Dialogues continued
Housing/Hunger: Collected and delivered household goods for families moving out of
homelessness shelters into housing. Distributed Christmas gifts to Dorchester Head Start
Education/Training: Conducted Racial Justice trainings, One Heart, One World in
CMM congregations
1998 Urban-Suburban: Urban-Suburban partnership continues
Housing/Hunger: CMM Emergency Assistance Fund (funded by member congregations
and individuals) provided helps to over 150 families each year who are in crisis
situations- used for food vouchers, utility bills, rent arrears, and emergency medical
expenses. Partnership with Metropolitan Boston Housing, a private, non-profit
organization dedicated to helping families secure housing opportunities in communities
throughout the greater Boston area.
Misc. Projects: Partnership and meeting with other Interfaith Org in Boston-GBIO.
1999 Overview: Promotion of Urban-Suburban Cooperation
Misc. Projects: CMM brokers 6 urban-suburban congregational partnerships and
leverages approx. $100,000 of support annually (financial, volunteer, pro-bono
professional services, and material donations) to community based organizations serving
at risk youth and families.
Volunteerism: CMM spearheads a project of interfaith volunteers support Marshall
Elementary School by creating a colorful kit of school supplies. CMM delivered 400 kits,
enough for every student in 1st and 2nd grades.
Misc. Projects: Fifth Annual Interfaith Choral Festival
2000 Overview: 64 Member congregations
Urban-Suburban: Continuation of monthly Urban-suburban Dinner and Dialogue
meetings on topics relations to social justice and community service opportunities. CMM
conducted a 1.5 hour workshop on the U-S partnerships, entitled “Peace is in Our Handsa conference on local peace building initiatives”; also CMM held the 2nd annual picnic in
July with Boston Ten Point Coalition.
Misc. Projects: Interfaith Choral Festival Continued; CMM members were invited to
attend an overnight Anti-racism training in Roxbury, free of charge;
Expanded “Interfaith”: Cambridge Zen Center joins as member congregation; UU
members also listed on Board (though may have joined earlier)
2001 Urban-Suburban: Monthly dialogues are slowed down a bit as CMM hires new
staff, welcomes new board members and focuses on strategic planning
Mission Statement: “The Mission of CMM is to bring together people from across
economic, religious, racial, and ethnic boundaries so that in partnership we can work
more effectively for a just society.”
Misc. Projects: 8th Annual Interfaith Choral Festival; CMM has 7 flourishing
partnerships and a booklet is published, Urban-Suburban Partnerships Stories from CMM
Member Congregations, describing their relationships and experiences; CMM
participates in “Interfaith Ramadan Observance Program”
2002 Urban-Suburban: received $7500 grant from United Way to begin UrbanSuburban Youth Leadership Councils.
Housing/Hunger: Officially joined One Family Campaign, which is comprised of
strategic solutions to end family homelessness by 2005. This eventually resulted in 7
CMM member congregations signing on the OFC and becoming partners in the effort.
Hired a part-time staff (10 hours a week) to spearhead this initiative.
Misc. Projects: CMM asked to speak on “Islamic Perspectives” broadcast, in which
CMM discussed its Urban-Suburban partnerships, particularly Masjid Al-Quran in
Dorchester and Temple Shalom in Newton.
2003 Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM joins Organizational Partnership
Program to enhance the brokering of resources for effective grass roots organizations and
ministries serving at risk youth and families. Also, CMM joins an initiative to enhance
literacy among at-risk youth, based on early detection and treatment of a reading disorder
called Irlen Syndrome.
Urban-Suburban: Dialogue Dinners are reconsidered to be more topic driven than
“meeting-to-meeting” themes. 2nd Annual Temple Masjid Dialogue Group Barbeque;
Youth- CMM brokers a partnership between youth in Wellesley Friends Meeting and
New Covenant Church in Cambridge, holds a Multicultural Youth Leadership Council in
beginning of summer.
Misc. Projects: CMM participates in a trip to the Holocaust Museum, sponsored by the
Anti-Defamation League. Holds 10th Annual Music Festival, followed by a silent auction.
CMM member from Wellesley Friends Meeting made a video about CMM titled,
“Advocating for Homeless Families”.
2004 Education/Legislative Advocacy: 3rd year of “One Family” campaign and a
newsletter states that 1/3 of CMM’s member congregations have signed on, “publicly
stating that they have committed themselves to work to reduce family homelessness,
prevent it and/or assist families in need.”
Housing/Hunger: Family homelessness is the focus of the church’s Outreach
Commission for 2003-2004
Misc. Projects: CMM continues to offer opportunities for hearing, thinking and doing.
Began initiative, "A Hire Purpose", to mobilize business networks in CMM
congregations to provide employment to low income workers. Also, Mobilized CMM
constituents to prevent ending of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 292 citizens of
Montserrat who came to this country in 1997, after the volcano eruption
2005 Education/Legislative Advocacy: Faith-Based Business Initiative- began a
project geared at meeting employer’s needs while expanding job opportunities for
homeless job-ready parents and other low-income people (partnered with ‘Transition to
Work, nonprofit). CMM also continued Dinner Dialogues continued, including
“Advocacy workshops- Make your voice heard, no experience necessary” with focus on
reducing family homelessness, in partnership with consultants- one example: Miriam
Stein project director at ‘One Family’
Misc. Projects: In the Spring, CMM partnered with Amachi Big Brothers Big Sisters of
MA to match children of incarcerated parents with mentors from the faith based
community, open invitation for CMM members to volunteer or otherwise support.
2006 Overview: Many strategic business and development planning (feedback reports
from this year called for CMM to focus it’s work/clarify “what CMM does”/clearer
identity) Mission as stated in 2006: “CMM mobilizes congregations across economic,
religious, racial and ethnic boundaries so that, in partnership, we can work more
effectively for a just society” Focus: “CMM seeks to affect change in areas of housing
and homelessness, at risk youth and families, and cross-cultural understanding”
Misc. Projects: Katrina Response- CMM helped coordinate projects for congregations
that wanted to help those relocating to MA (noted in 2006 newsletter: Morningstar
Baptist Church in Mattapan called CMM to ask for assistance with Katrina survivor
family moving to Newton; Eliot Church youth group wanted to help and organized
supply drive for families relocating to Boston; food drive in Newton)
Housing/Hunger: continued work to end family homelessness in MA through education,
direct service and advocacy
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM continued it’s “no experience necessary”
Advocacy workshops (growing requests for these, listed in 2006 newsletter) Also, A Hire
Purpose, continued as an initiative to mobilize business networks in congregations to
provide employment for work-ready, entry-level workers
Expanded “Interfaith”: New congregations joined: The Islamic Society of Boston and
The Newton Baha’i Community
2007 Overview: New Executive Director: Alexander Levering Kern 2007-2013
Mergers: In 2007 IFYI- Interfaith Youth Initiative became a part of CMM with Matt
Carriker as the director of the program.
IFYI: “In response to tragic shooting of IFYI mother Beth Cann and her daughters,
called IFYI conference call and organized group visit to funeral and follow-up
meeting…grief care/counseling for IFYIers” ongoing mentoring and service learning.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM helps to pass the Sudan Divestment Bill and
was invited to stand in the Corner Office with Gov. Patrick as he signed the bill. CMM
also attended many rallies and tried to educate our members about direct aid through
Tents of Hope and other steps through Mass. Coalition to Save Darfur. “Legislative issue
survey” designed and distributed to congregations and clergy.
2008 Overiew: CMM gains broader intergenerational appeal and relevance through
IFYI. Over the past two years, CMM gained a wider public profile, greater interfaith
diversity, and dynamic new partnerships with new immigrant communities in Boston.
Stated priority issues in ‘07-‘08 Annual Assembly report: “poverty and homelessness,
youth and domestic violence prevention, immigrant rights and reform, workers’ rights,
environmental justice and global warming, building a culture that wecomes religious
“minorities”, and ending the genocide in Darfur.”
Housing/Hunger: CMM worked with Rosie’s Placeto host training for people of faith on
the subject, “You Are Not Alone: Standing in Solidarity with Families at Risk of Abuse
and Neglect”
Environmental: In January, CMM helped launch, lead, and serve on the steering
committee for the Massachusetts Interfaith Climate Action Network (MICAN) , which
worked with religious and environmental community allies to secure extraordinary
victories in helping “green” the state’s Energy Bill and pass Global Warming Solutions
Act.
Education/Legislative Advocacy: CMM organized and led a major Interfaith Prayer and
Rally as part of the national “Fighting Poverty with Faith” campaign. A Prayer for
Healing was held, in partnership with Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, for Homicide
victims’ families and friends. CMM also spoke at their Mother’s Day Walk for Peace. In
2007-08 CMM hosted and trained 7 Social Action Interns, over twice as many as in the
previous year.
Misc. Projects: Investors Against Genocide; CMM signs letter to editor of Pheonix
newspaper in support of Muslim American Society and their commitment to pluralism;
Film screening and discussion of James Carroll’s “Constantine’s Sword” in October.
IFYI: 1st Annual Day of Interfaith Youth Service in April. That summer the week-long
summer program, Interfaith Youth Initiative, occurred in July with dialogue, service, and
leadership training components
2009 Education/Legislative Advocacy: Alex Kern on panel after viewing of
“Fremont, USA” regarding religious coexistence in wake of 9/11; “Stand for Security”
Campaign
Expanded “Interfaith”: Latifa Ali becomes Board President in March, making her the
first Muslim woman to serve as president of an interfaith Board in the US.
Housing/Hunger: CMM continued its Materiad Aid Program (MAP) in which clothing,
toys, and household items are dropped of at the office in Newton and then distributed to
various shelters and resource centers.
IFYI- 3rd Annual Day of Interfaith Youth Service on March 29; 2009 Summer Institute
themed, “Being Peace, Doing Justice”. In February, there was a CMM IFYI presentation
at Harvard Divinity School Solutions Conference
Misc. Projects: New Years Kwanza House Party with CMM, GBIO presenters, hosted
by CMM partner Nurraddeen Development. In January CMM held an Interfaith Prayer
Vigil for Israel/Gaza (CMM as cosignatory for Declaration from Greater Boston
interfaith Community). In February CMM held a Shabbat dinner and Service with the
unveiling of CMM’s cosponsored Boston Interfaith Mural Project, Congregation Dorshei
Tzedek, Newton.
2010 Overview: CMM merged with RUAH and “the RUAH Interfaith Spirituality
Program of CMM” will be a major and exciting new part of CMM’s work
Misc. Projects: Interfaith Rally in Commons, to protest Anti-Muslim activity (stabbing
of cab driver in NYC and plans of Florida pastor to burn Quran)
Education/Legislative Advocacy: In the Fall, CMM joins other faith leaders in Boston
to fight housing law repeal, urging Mass. Residents to vote no to Question 2 that would
repeal the state’s affordable housing law.
Environmental: 3rd Annual Day of Interfaith Youth Service included several break-off
groups, one being a group of young people who helped clean up the area off Memorial
Drive near the BU Bridge.
Quote: “Young people are the pioneers of the new religious landscape.” -Alexander Kern
2011 IFYI: The Carpenter Foundation will fund IFYI program at $45,000 in support of
the “graduate theological education” component of our work (training seminarians,
rabbinical students and younger clergy)
Housing/Hunger: Homelessness Forum in March in Waltham (CMM Web)
Misc: Board discussion of moving CMM office into Cambridge
Education: Diana Eck, Harvard Professor and head of Pluralism Project, gave a talk with
CMM at First Church Cambridge: "Faith in the City: How Interfaith Cooperation Can
Transform our Nation and World" (video on CMM web- Interfaith Landscape and Future
in Boston)
2012 Education/Legislative Advocacy: Hosted a viewing of the inspiring
film KINYARWANDA, set during 1994 Rwanda Genocide. CMM hosted “In
Celebration of Rumi” event to pay tribute to the inspiration of the Sufi mystic, Jelaludin
Rumi. Also, on November 16th, CMM held a Spirituality and Healing Conference on the
theme: "Repairing our Broken World: Interfaith Responses."
Misc. Projects: 2nd Annual Dr Martin Luther King Day of Interfaith Service, publicized
in the Globe. New website for CMM.
Environmental: Going Green Together campaign during National Volunteer Week and
Earth Week; also during April- Interfaith evening with author and environmental activist
Bill McKibben (video on website)
2013 Overview: Alice Kidder serves as Interim Executive Director, followed by
hiring of Whitney Retallic in February 2013
Housing/Hunger: CMM's 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Interfaith
Service in January at Brandeis University. An on-site service project packing 6440 meals
to distribute to surrounding food shelters. Educational component with interfaith dialogue
and performance art as well
Education/Legislative Advocacy: October Speaker Series, featuring Jewish, Christian
and Muslim voices-Oct. 26 "Making Our Way: Muslim Women in North America
event at the Paulist Center, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, former president of the Islamic
Society of North America. Muslim women shared perspectives on Muslim women's
experience in North America, as it has been shaped by 9/11 and other events. Oct. 18
"Evolving Spirituality for the 21st Century: Are the sciences providing new common
ground for world religions?" with presenters Mary Evelyn Tucker and John
Grim (pictured left), Executive Producers of the film, "Journey of the Universe." And
on Oct. 3 a festive crowd gathered for a night of "Spirituality, Justice and
Humor" with comedian Rabbi Moshe Waldoks of Temple Beth Zion, as a FUNdraiser
for CMM.
Misc. Projects: August 28, CMM joined several organizations in sponsoring
the Memorial March for Peace to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on
Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
IFYI: Summer retreat in July and Fall retreat in November
2014 Overview: Whitney Retallic stepped down as Executive Director; Rev. Dr.
Rodney Petersen selected as new interim ED in summer 2014. There is a Fall season
focus at CMM to reconnect and engage with new and old member congregations and
allow their voices to shape CMM’s upcoming agenda.
Current mission statement: Our mission is "to mobilize congregations and communities
across economic, religious, racial, and ethnic boundaries so that, in partnership, we can
work more effectively for a just and peaceful society and for spiritual growth and
interfaith understanding."
Expanded “Interfaith”: Faiths currently represented by CMM Board, volunteers and
member organizations: Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Humanists, Baha’i, UU, and
non-affiliates.
Housing/Hunger: 157 people joined for 4th Annual MLK Day of Interfaith Service. Of
those participants, 65 were youth who were paired with a mentor for the day to learn
more about college. Volunteers packaged a total of 11,116 nutritious meals that were
distributed to local food pantries.
RUAH Interfaith Spirituality: CMM continued 3rd year of Interfaith Dinner Dialogues
and hosts Harvard Humanist Chaplain, Greg Epstein, for their fall dinner. In November,
philosophy professor and theologian, Roger S. Gottlieb spoke at Temple Shalom in
Newton about “Spiritualiy: What It Is and Why It Matters”;
Environmental: In the Spring, one Episcopal City Mission (ECM) urban-suburban
partnership held a youth educational forum on healthy eating, food accessibility, and
sustainability in Dorchester, followed by volunteer project in urban garden in Lower
Roxbury.
Misc. Projects: Episcopal City Mission (ECM) allowed CMM to continue their
extensive history of Urban-Suburban Interfaith partnerships (including: Baha’i, Jewish,
Christian adult and youth participants)
IFYI: Summer retreat from July 31 to August 7; Last year for Matt Carriker as IFYI
Program Director, who had been the director since 2007. Karin Firoza was hired as new
IFYI Program Director.