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Make a Difference with WATCH!
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Get your tickets for the:
SHARE A LAUGH COMEDY SHOW
with comedienne Wendy Liebman and friends*
*includes lots of local favorites, like Jimmy Tingle
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
7:30 pm
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square, Somerville
Right by the red line T stop
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This great event is hoted by Community Works, a nonprofit cooperative that raises vital funds for its members (including WATCH!) who are all social justice groups in and around Boston. The show is a great night out, a chance to win prizes and a chance to support great community work.
Tickets are $30. For $75 you can also attend a reception with the comedians before the show!
To support WATCH, buy in advance online! Be sure to select WATCH CDC from the "program designation" drop down menu
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SAVE THE DATE!
WATCH 25th Anniversay Gala & Auction
Thursday, October 24th
Embassy Suites Boston/Waltham
Dinner, Auction and so much more at this great party for WATCH!
Tickets to go on sale soon...stay tuned...
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Member Story: Rosa Granados
Rosa says, " The community needs WATCH...because it helps a lot of people to grow!"
When Rosa moved to the US from Mexico in 1996, she didn't know much English. Today, Rosa talks easily. She can help her kids with their homework, and she got a seasonal job preparing tax returns.
Rosa was a still teenager when she came to Waltham with her family, so she enrolled in Waltham high school. But it was very hard for her to learn. She got frustrated because she couldn't understand the language. After one year, Rosa dropped out of school. Years later, she was worried because she didn't have the education to help her own kids succeed in school. And it was also hard for her to find work.
Then Rosa found WATCH. She graduated from the computer classes available through our partnership with the local nonprofit internet center. She started in our tutoring program – where she is still getting one-on-one help to improve her English.
Rosa is not only improving her language skills, she is becoming an educated, confidant community leader. She is part of the committee working to make WATCH's Breaking Barriers Adult Education Program even better...and she was recently invited to join WATCH's Board of Directors!
Member Story: Dick Scobie
Dick Scobie has been involved with WATCH since 1998, when he joined a committee on housing policy. Since then, has served on various WATCH committees, including the Board of Directors. Most recently, he volunteered weekly at WATCH, helping with tasks from filing to making fundraising calls to members.
Dick is concerned with Waltham's willingness to welcome immigrants from all parts of the world. He reminds us, "Immigrants built Waltham and it is important to remember that."
Dick is also very concerned with the lack of affordable housing in Waltham. He sees that WATCH is one of the few organizations in the city that advocates for affordable housing. And, he sees WATCH work for progressive policies that help working people get established and help people who are struggling. Dick thinks it's maybe most important that WATCH empowers individuals who are otherwise shut out of politics to find their voice.
Dick plans to stay involved with WATCH for the long term. "In a small organization [such as WATCH] they always need help, so just being available for things like meetings at city hall, lobbying, writing a check whenever I can or helping around the office is important."
He encourages others to become involved with WATCH. He thinks that to have a vibrant democracy in the local community, organizations like WATCH are vital.
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Member Story: Marie Dominique
Marie grew up in Haiti, and has been a Waltham resident now for 29 years. She is aware that years ago Waltham was not very open to immigrants, but now she thinks that things have changed. Marie appreciates how peaceful the community is, how patient everyone is, and the educational system in Waltham. However, she does not appreciate how expensive everything is, including renting and buying homes.
Marie was first involved with WATCH through our Breaking Barriers tutoring program - where she has continued to improve her English for over 2 years now! Marie feels that WATCH “helps a lot of people”. She likes WATCH because “WATCH looks for people and helps them with their education. It tries to help people who are poor or have not gone to school with things like housing and language classes. It is fighting to change the situation in Waltham”.
When asked about her goals for the future, Marie notes, “I’m trying to do the best that I can.”
Last summer, Marie became a paid member of WATCH for the first time. Thanks, Marie!
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Looking for Some Help?
WATCH's Community Resource Guide provides you with information on a range of services in our area, including food pantries, pro bono legal assistance, foreclosure support, fuel assistance, mental health resource and more. Of course, you're also invited to come into our Housing Clinic to get information and assistance in resolving any housing related issue.
Follow WATCH on Twitter and keep up with our good news!
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