Welcome!
Newton Neighbors (NN) is a volunteer-led, mutual-aid style network launched in March 2020 by four women concerned that marginalized families relying on safety net systems would fall through the cracks. We launched a Facebook group to connect people and organizations to address these gaps. Eighteen months later, we have supported close to 1,000 people in Newton and beyond and have a core group of 250 volunteers.
In 2021, together with Welcoming Newton (a project aimed at building community and increasing access to information about our City,) we incorporated as a non-profit organization: Newton Neighbors, Inc. Later, we merged with a food rescue and distribution program serving Greater Boston that was founded by a Newton resident during the COVID-19 crisis. We are grateful to our fiscal sponsor Newton Community Pride for their logistical support.
We are committed to addressing ongoing disparities and building connections in Newton and neighboring communities.
Newton Neighbors: Helping, Welcoming, Connecting Neighbors.
Allen Katzoff: Food Rescue and Distribution
Bruce Wilson: Project Management, Newton Project Takeout Lead
Charlotte Dietz: Board Member, Communications Working Group lead
Elizabeth Stolar: Freedge Team Co-Captain
Jennifer Pucci: Board Chair
Julie Swersey: Freedge Team Co-Captain
Kiran Ahmad: Website and Graphic Design
Larissa Hordynsky: Communications Guru
Lisa Goldstein Gordon: Board Vice Chair
Martha Bixby: Board Member, Community Building & Welcoming Neighbors
Raissa Li: Evaluation
Ranjani Paradise: Clerk, Program Working Group Lead
Shalini Tendulkar: Board Member, President
Shreeda Vyas: Treasurer
Sophie Schoeni: Communications and Project Management
Newton Neighbors Coordination Team
And a thank you to past project coordinators:
Maura Bullock: Care Packages & Holiday Kits
Subin Jeong: Project Management
Core Values
1.
Respect and appreciation for a diversity of backgrounds and beliefs.
2.
Equity and Inclusion for all.
3.
A culture of engagement (“I’m going to get involved”), collaboration (“we are going to work with each other”), and partnership (“we are going to work towards shared goals”).
4.
A willingness to be flexible and adaptive to a changing environment.
5.
Evidence Based decision making
Heading 3
Our mission is to facilitate community connection, mutual aid, and access to resources and supports for all people who live, work, pray, play and/or learn in Newton, MA and other local communities.