Moreno and his co-workers identified youth violence as a "toxin" in their community that they wanted to reduce and prevent. In particular, they focused on supporting the many young people in Roxbury and other Boston neighborhoods who, as Moreno said, "are trying to do something positive" with their lives. . . . read more – 76 reads

Some of the most impressive voices at the Center for Teen Empowerment belonged to teenagers who want to be part of the solution. Some of them talked about their desire to trust police and interact more with them. Suggested Amilton Pires, 17, of Dorchester: ``We don't need more police. We need more community policing." Said Carlos Moreno, 18, of Dorchester: ``I would love to play a baseball game with a police officer. I would love to dunk [a basketball] with a police officer." . . . read more – 359 reads

The fumes from these illegally idling buses pose a health risk to children. “You notice the pipes, the exhaust pipes, are at their breathing level,” said Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, of the group Alternatives for Community and Environment. “Diesel particulate matter is very dangerous. It's tiny, tiny little particles can get deep inside the lungs. Not only are they an irritant to the lungs that can cause asthma attacks but they also have over 40 kinds of chemicals attached to each tiny little particle. So it's a carcinogen.” Parents and residents here in Hyde Park say their complaints may turn off the engines for one day. But the next day, they're idling again. . . . read more – 368 reads

Over the past few years, CORI reform has been an emotionally-charged topic in the Bay State. The records are widely available when people apply for jobs, housing and certain licenses, and offenders with at least a five-year sentence must carry a CORI for 15 years after the sentence ends. But several pieces of legislation pending on Beacon Hill would decrease the amount of time those records remain publicly available, as well as eliminate that information in cases that resulted in acquittals. . . . read more – 373 reads

They called for reforms to a CORI system that follows them long after they’ve been released from jail. In many cases, it haunts those who were never sentenced to prison, even those who had criminal cases against them dismissed. So they chanted, “Out of jail … but still not free,” as they marched from Roxbury Crossing to the Statehouse, stopping traffic along the way as spectators clapped for their cause. They waved signs and passed out fliers. Several locked themselves inside a makeshift prison cell, to show they still feel jailed even though they’re free. “We don’t want a handout,” they said. “We just want jobs.” . . . read more – 376 reads

The plan also creates a statewide anticrime council similar to one that operated during the Dukakis administration and adds $1 million for summer jobs grants statewide and $250,000 in matching grants to support violence intervention advocates in emergency rooms. . . . read more – 295 reads

In addition to the new funding, the teens are calling on the city to give them some say as to how the additional funds are spent. “Youth are the people affected by violence,” said Carlos Moreno, who works with the Roxbury Environmental Education Project. “The city needs to include our voice so we can be decision makers and become the leaders of tomorrow.” Carlos Moreno (right), who works in the Roxbury Environmental Education Program, speaks out during a press conference at City Hall Monday calling for $8 million in new funding for youth programs, the city’s Street Workers program and summer jobs for youth. The city was scheduled to release its budget yesterday. (Yawu Miller photo) . . . read more – 304 reads

This is the third year in a row that the United Youth and Youth Workers organization has called for an increase in funding for programming that would benefit youth. Last year, youth asked for a total of $5 million to be included in the city’s budget for youth jobs, an additional $1.2 million over the $3.8 million allotted in the pre-approved budget. They didn’t get it. “Adults are always saying that the youth are the future,” said 19-year-old Carlos Moreno, a Dorchester teen who spoke at Monday’s press conference. “How are we the future is no one is investing in us?” . . . read more – 297 reads

Mayor Thomas M. Menino is scheduled to meet with Governor Deval Patrick later today to discuss how the state can help quell the recent spate of gun violence. The governor called Menino yesterday to offer help and the mayor accepted, said Dot Joyce, the mayor's press secretary. Menino is expected to ask Patrick for state funding of summer jobs for young people in Boston and help in pushing through legislation designed to fund anti-gang measures. They are scheduled to meet in Patrick's office at 5:45 p.m. . . . read more – 420 reads

Youth workers, state officials, media and teens gathered at Teen Empowerment’s offices in the South End last Thursday to discuss what is said to be the city’s most violent year in more than a decade. “A lot of people are getting used to violence,” said Carlos Moreno, 18, of Dorchester. “When you don’t have somebody supporting you, you are going to fail.” . . . read more – 248 reads