2010 U.S. Census forms can be mailed back to the Census Bureau continuously. However, beginning in late April census takers will begin visiting households that did not return a census form by mail (or returned a census form after April 17^th).  The census taker will only ask the questions that appear on the census form. If no one answers at a particular residence, a census taker will visit that home up to three times. Please take the time to answer the census taker’s questions. Remember the 2010 Census is safe, easy and important to Brockton.

For more information about the 2010 Census, please visit http://www.2010.census.gov/

The Partnership for Safer Communities, will sponsor a evening of activities and entertainment Monday, Aug. 2 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Campanelli Stadium, 1 Feinberg Way, in celebration of National Night Out Against Crime.

Activities include: a motorcade of police, fire, and mliitary personnel at 4 p.m.; pony rides and a pie eating contest at 5:30 p.m.; and a Brockton Rox baseball game at 6:05 p.m.

Entertainment inlcudes: music by DJ Gary Ahearn; a live performace by the Cavaliers; face painting; Freddy the Robot; the Brockton Rox's own K-O; McGruff the Crime Dog; a K-9 demonstration; child ID program; clowns, and more.

Limited FREE beverages will be provided, and food will be available for purchase at the Rox concession stands.

Learn To Cope, in conjunction with Mayor Linda M. Balzotti's Office, BAMSI's C.O.P.E.Center, High Point Treatment Center, and the Brockton Mayor's Opioid Overdose Prevention Coalition will sponsor an Overdose Vigil by candlelight Friday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at Brockton City Hall, 45 School St.

   The office of Mayor Linda M. Balzotti is happy to announce that the city of Brockton and the Brockton Rox are joining forces to sponsor Friday Night Movies this summer at Campanelli Stadium.

   “This is a great partnership that allows the city to provide a wonderful free and family-friendly activity for residents,” said Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti.  “I’m so pleased we can use this event to showcase Campanelli Stadium, which truly is a gem in our community.”

   This is the first year the city has teamed up with the Rox for this event. 

   "We're thrilled to partner with the City of Brockton to serve youth and families in our community," said Rox General Manager Brian Voelkel.

   Residents are encouraged to bring the picnic blankets and camp out on the field for the screenings, which are scheduled for Friday, July 9 and Friday, August 13.   Both screenings will begin at approximately 7:45 p.m.   Doors will open at 7 p.m.

   There is no admission charge for Friday Night Movies, and in the event of rain, the movies will be rescheduled. Concession stands at the stadium will be open to provide refreshments to spectators. And, attendees will receive a free small popcorn with purchase of a soda.

   Films to be screened include:

-          Friday, July 9: “Monsters vs. Aliens”

-          Friday, August 13: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

   For more information concerning the Friday Night Movies, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (508) 580-7123. You can also obtain additional information by visiting the City of Brockton’s website at www.brockton.ma.us.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti is happy to announce the start of a new component to Brockton After Dark, Champions for Change

“This is an unique initiative that shows young people that there are opportunities to give back to the communities, and lets them formulate their own plans of how to expand on those existing opportunities,” said Mayor Linda M. Balzotti. “I’m proud we can offer this chance for those young people to get involved in their community.”

“It’s very youth-lead,” said Patricia Godio, the program coordinator and Brockton’s Promise Fellow. 

The volunteer and service program stems from the work of Brockton Promise’s Opportunities to Help program, of which the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts are a part.  Representatives from the Girl Scouts work to facilitate each session.

“We know that empowering youth to make a difference in their community helps build their self esteem and ultimately keeps them engaged in the work of creating positive change in Brockton,” said Heather Arrighi, Brockton’s Promise Chairperson.

Launched in 2003, Brockton’s Promise is a community initiative of 70 local partners in the health, social services, non-profit, and faith based organizations.  Together this coalition of dedicated individuals works to make a sustainable difference in the lives of youth in the city.  The coalition’s priority is to ensure that all young people in Brockton graduate from high school and succeed in work and life.

Programs and services promise to provide the five assets of developmental resources that research shows is necessary for all young people to succeed. Those promises include A Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, An Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others.  Brockton's Promise was founded under the principles of America’s Promise Alliance.

The Champions for Change program is offered Wednesday nights, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 156 West Elm St., now through August 18.

Each session begins with an overview of an organization and their efforts in the community.  The information session is followed by an ice cream sundae party, and then participants engage in a service planning period to find ways to participate in the agency’s mission.  At the following week’s session, the group works on their projects.

“The goal of the program is to get young people thinking about their community,” said Renee Pease, Community Program Specialist for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

“It’s getting them invested in the community, and to provide the resources for girls to make a difference in their community. Every little bit helps,” she said.  “Girl Scouts is much more then cookies, camping and crafts. While those activities will always be a part of what we do, we are trying to educate the community that we are building future women leaders. “

Now in its seventh year, Brockton After Dark is a free program for city youths ages 13 to 20.  The program provides activities and programs to young people all summer long at various locations throughout the city.

For more information concerning Champions for Change, or Brockton After Dark, please contact the Patricia Godio at (508) 897-6821. You can also obtain additional information by visiting the City of Brockton’s website at www.brockton.ma.us.

Neighborhood Housing Services, located in the MultiCultural Banking Center at HarborOne Credit Union, 68 Legion Parkway, announces a series of First Time Homebuyer Workshops beginning  Monday, July 12 in English, Capeverdean Creole, and Haitian Creole.

Each workshop consists of two sessions.  Participants must attend both parts/  Session 1 reviews credit, budgeting and how these topic influence buying power.  SEssion 2 includes information fro mlenders, real estate professionals, insurance agents, attorneys, as well as home and lead paint inspectors. 

After completion of the workshop, candidates may be eligible for many first time homebuyer programs, including down payments and closing cost assistance. 

Pre-registration is required.  You can register online at www.neighborhoodhousing.org or by calling (508) 895-1784.  There is a $20 fee for the workshops.  Each session is four hours long.

The first sessions will be offered in English and will be held Monday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 14 at the Brockton Housing Partnership, located in the Rockalnd Trust Company Building, 174 West St. from 5 to 9 p.m.

The second sessions will be in Capeverdean Creole, and are slated for Monday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 28 at HarborOne Credit Union, 68 Legion Parkway.

The third sessions will be in Haitian Creole, and will be held Monday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. at HarborOne Credit Union, 68 Legion Parkway.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti announces the launch of a new basketball league designed to engage more Brockton teens at night.

“This program will help us address the needs of our community,” said Balzotti.  “Our young people are looking for ways to engage in positive activities all the time.  Midnight basketball can reach an entire group of teenagers that we might be missing because they have jobs or other responsibilities that prohibit them from taking part in our other programs and activities.”

The program will start Wednesday, July 14 at 10 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 233 Warren Ave.  Games will continue to be held on Wednesday nights through August 25 from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Practices will be held Monday nights, beginning July 19 from 7-8 p.m. at the Old Colony YMCA Youth Division, 465 Main St.

The idea for the program grew out of a need identified through the efforts of outreach workers involved in the Safe Corners Program, an initiative funded through the Shannon Grant that is aimed at reaching out to the youth of Brockton, and connecting them to resources.  It attempts to take youth out of negative situations and engage them in positive activities.

One of those outreach workers, John Williams, is coordinating the program, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office.

“The idea was to have a safe activity for the young of Brockton; something that’s positive, something that’s competitive,” said Williams.

He hopes to attract enough teenagers to have six teams of 15 players.

“I think it is wonderful that both the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA stepped up and assisted with this venture,” said Williams. 

Each organization donated the use of their facilities to host games and practices.

“This program provides an opportunity for us to give teens a chance to take part in an positive activity with adult mentors in a safe environment,” said Jay Miller, Assistant Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club in Brockton.

The Youth Branch of the Old Colony YMCA was happy to provide practice space for the league.

The league is open to boys and girls.  Each player will receive a t-shirt for their participation.  Trophies will be given out at the conclusion of the program.

“A big part of the City’s role is to keep our kids safe, so they can become positive members of the society that have bright futures.  This program does that,” said Koren Cappiello, Brockton’s Director of Community and Social Services.  “This league lets Brockton teens know we care about them by trying to provide a program they want, when they need it.  It shows them there’s another option for their present and future.”

Funding for the program is coming from a grant through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

For more information concerning the Late Night Basketball, please contact the Program Coordinator John Williams at (508) 345-4701 or call the Mayor’s Office at (508) 580-7123. You can also obtain additional information by visiting the City of Brockton’s website at www.brockton.ma.us.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti is pleased to announce that the Manning Pool, located behind Brockton High School, will open beginning Monday, June 28.  Pool hours are from 1 to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Passes for the pool are now available for purchase beginning at the Elections Commission, located on the first floor of City Hall, 45 School St.  Passes will also be on sale at the Manning Pool after it opens Monday, June 28.

Season passes are $45 per family, for up to five people; $22 per person; and $18 for senior citizens, age 60 and up.  Daily passes are $3 per day for Massachusetts residents, and $5 per person, per day for non-Massachusetts residents.

The pool will be open until Sunday, August 22.

The Manning Pool has a gazebo, state-of-the-art play area, and multiple water features.  The pool also has a slide, snack bar, locker rooms, and an acre-and-a-half grassy area.

For more information concerning the Manning Pool, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (508) 580-7123. You can also obtain additional information by visiting the City of Brockton’s website at www.brockton.ma.us.

   Angel Food Ministries, a program, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Brockton, 686 North Main Street, allows anyone to purchase high quality, nutritious food at near wholesale prices.

   Stop by Catholic Charities of Brockton or call 508-587-0815 to place an order.

Neighborhood Housing Services, located in the MultiCultural Banking Center at HarborOne Credit Union, 68 Legion Parkway, announces a series of foreclosure clinics and counseling.

NHS works with individual clients, mediating with their lender/servicer to best solve the client's foreclosure issue.  The initial clinic starts with information gatehring regarding teh participant's housing issues and registration of NHS with the lender.  From there, an individual counselor is assigned to work with the borrower to bring the issue to the best conclusion.

Pre-registration for all the clinics is required.  To register, call (508) 895-1782.

Each clinic begins at 6 p.m. and will be held on: Wednesday, July 14; Wednesday, July 28; Wednesday, Aug. 11; Wednesday, Sept. 8; and Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti is happy to announce that Farmers’ Market will return to City Hall Plaza, 45 School St., beginning Friday, July 9.  The Farmers’ Market will be held rain or shine, every Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until Friday, Oct., 29.

“This is a wonderful tradition in our city,” said Mayor Linda M. Balzotti.  “The Farmers’ Market is a fantastic opportunity for our residents to purchase fresh, local produce and products, and bring those items home to share with friends and family.”

Senior citizens and residents eligible for WIC can purchase items using a discount voucher.  The vouchers for senior citizens are available at Old Colony Elder Services, 144 Main St., or by calling (508) 584-1561.  WIC-eligible residents can get vouchers at 795 Pleasant St., or by calling (508) 588-8241.

This year will feature produce from four farms across the region, as well as syrups, jams, and plants.

Andrew Gulezian, a representative of the UMass Extension, will be on hand each week providing healthy meal demonstrations.  

For more information concerning the Farmers’ Market, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (508) 580-7123. You can also obtain additional information by visiting the City of Brockton’s website at www.brockton.ma.us.