Sarah McNeely

We began these blogs because we wanted to start a conversation. We wanted to provide a place where this community can come to check its own pulse. We encourage response and conversation. We just ask you to keep it respectful. We'd love to hear it. It's a conversation, after all, we hope you'll add to it.

Please review the terms & conditions of our blog.

Sarah McNeely

Tue, 11/11/2008

Downtown Crossing: A Shopping Center or Local Youth Hangout?

I recently read an article in the Boston Globe about how plans to revitalize Downtown Crossing through the construction of new office buildings, retail stores and high-end lofts and condominiums are causing many youths in the city to seek alternate “hang-out” spots. read more »

1 comment

Sarah McNeely

Sun, 10/12/2008

Haunted Houses

As the warm summer breeze drifts into a cool autumn air and as the endless hours of daylight are interrupted by the darkness of night, we know that fall is upon us.

Fall. It’s a time of change, of preparing for the winter months to come. It’s also a time when a very important question lingers on every child’s mind…what am I going to be for Halloween??! read more »

1 comment

Sarah McNeely

Wed, 05/14/2008

Children go to jail, for lack of options

Why jail is seen as an alternative

Increasing Opportunities for Youth

I was particularly struck when I viewed my Boston Globe email alerts the other day and read an editorial called Children go to jail, for lack of options.
I know that this might seem strange, since we are saturated daily by media articles and sound bites of youth violence and crimes on the streets. Last year, in fact, 5,400 children in our state were sent to jail after being charge with a crime.

But that’s not what surprised me. read more »