Rename Paris Community Center to the John White Community Center
Rename Paris Community Center to the John White Community Center
The Issue
John White
We the undersigned are submitting this request to honor the late John White with the renaming of the Paris Street Community Center in East Boston to the John White Community Center.
John White dedicated his life to the greater good of East Boston and its residents. He served for 40 years as the director of the East Boston APAC, a subsidiary of ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development, when development the betterment of the community people.) At the end of the 40 years, John tried to retire and did, however, in short order ABCD was calling him back as no one knew the community like John did. He became the Director Emeritus, only it was not just an honor. John continued to work diligently until he could no longer. Working well into his 80's.
John helped everyone. No one was refused when they asked John. He was there for summer work program. He was there for fuel assistance program; he was there when a family was burned out and needed. help with housing. One might argue that this was his job, and perhaps it was, however, he didn't just do his job he did much more.
You might find John visiting a sick resident while helping them with their fuel assistance application or food stamp application or helping with an assisted living application. John was an old school social worker, the likes we will never see again. His presence in people's lives was real and in person. He was especially helpful to the senior and physically and mentally challenged populations. He did not just refer someone for help, he would go with them and strongly advocate for them. There was no ZOOM social work for John, he was there.
John was acutely aware of how the development of East Boston was hurting housing for seniors. He would often be seen in different neighborhoods of Eastie in the early morning hours assessing how development was pushing the seniors and the poor and he began to develop a plan to help those whp would eventually be pushed out.
When thinking of John, the word "legend" comes to mind. John was a legend not for who he was but for what he did for Everyone.
This petition is brought to you by the hard work of Joe Weddleton, John Forbes Sr, Dave Arinella and Tom Tassinari.
The Issue
John White
We the undersigned are submitting this request to honor the late John White with the renaming of the Paris Street Community Center in East Boston to the John White Community Center.
John White dedicated his life to the greater good of East Boston and its residents. He served for 40 years as the director of the East Boston APAC, a subsidiary of ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development, when development the betterment of the community people.) At the end of the 40 years, John tried to retire and did, however, in short order ABCD was calling him back as no one knew the community like John did. He became the Director Emeritus, only it was not just an honor. John continued to work diligently until he could no longer. Working well into his 80's.
John helped everyone. No one was refused when they asked John. He was there for summer work program. He was there for fuel assistance program; he was there when a family was burned out and needed. help with housing. One might argue that this was his job, and perhaps it was, however, he didn't just do his job he did much more.
You might find John visiting a sick resident while helping them with their fuel assistance application or food stamp application or helping with an assisted living application. John was an old school social worker, the likes we will never see again. His presence in people's lives was real and in person. He was especially helpful to the senior and physically and mentally challenged populations. He did not just refer someone for help, he would go with them and strongly advocate for them. There was no ZOOM social work for John, he was there.
John was acutely aware of how the development of East Boston was hurting housing for seniors. He would often be seen in different neighborhoods of Eastie in the early morning hours assessing how development was pushing the seniors and the poor and he began to develop a plan to help those whp would eventually be pushed out.
When thinking of John, the word "legend" comes to mind. John was a legend not for who he was but for what he did for Everyone.
This petition is brought to you by the hard work of Joe Weddleton, John Forbes Sr, Dave Arinella and Tom Tassinari.
Victory
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Petition created on October 26, 2023