LIVABLESTREETS IN TRANSITION

Like many nonprofits, we have been impacted by a significantly shifting funding landscape. Our Board, in close collaboration with senior staff, has concluded that an organizational downsizing was needed to meet the moment. This transition, while difficult, is the result of months of deliberative planning and is necessary to maintain a sustainable organization.

The three Co-Executive Directors have stepped down from the organization as of the end of May. They have each contributed tremendously to our work and our community over the years, and their collective leadership will be deeply missed. Some highlights from their time at LivableStreets: Catherine Gleason grew the policy program and authored Dismantling Law Enforcement’s Role in Traffic Safety: A Roadmap for Massachusetts, which has been cited nationally including by The Atlantic; Makayla Comas has taken outreach to a totally new level, speaking to thousands of bus riders and mobilizing dozens of volunteer Street Ambassadors to connect and empower community members throughout the region; Michaela Grenier has masterfully managed complex and contentious planning projects, designing and leading community engagement for the redesign of Columbia Road in Boston and helping build consensus among diverse community stakeholders. Ammi Hosur is also leaving the team after several years of keeping the organization running like a well-oiled machine.

LivableStreets co-founder and long-time board member Jeff Rosenblum has stepped in as Interim Executive Director to guide us through this transition. Maha Aslam continues to lead key program work, and Lorraine Fryer will continue to support communications and operations in a part-time role. Our engaged board and volunteers, as always, provide invaluable support by lending their time and expertise to the organization.

We truly appreciate you, our members, for continuing to provide the financial and community support that allows us to advocate for safe, vibrant public spaces. We may be smaller for now, but we look forward to continuing to have a large impact on transportation and livability throughout the Boston region.

In Solidarity,

Jason Lee
Board President
[email protected]

END OF FISCAL YEAR DONATION!

The LivableStreets fiscal year ends June 30, and we are very close to meeting our annual small-donor fundraising goal! So many people have already donated this year – please join them and make a contribution today!

Can we count on you to help us reach our $65K goal?

Why LivableStreets?

As a multimodal advocacy organization we push for innovative street designs that better balance the needs of people walking, taking the bus, bicycling, and driving.

We use our strong relationships on the ground and within government to help empower local community-based organizations to have a stronger voice and access to power.

Our community engagement focuses on elevating the voices of bus riders and vulnerable road users (people who walk, bike, have a disability) who usually don’t have a seat at the table.

We work with partner organizations and elected officials to support sensible legislation that improves transportation safety and ensures equitable enforcement of traffic laws.

What does it look like?

Streets with bus priority lanes, separated bicycle lanes, safer pedestrian crosswalks, speed humps

A growing network of multi-use paths and greenways

Low-income transit fares and free buses

Legislation such as camera enforcement of red-light-running and speeding

We are so close – only $8,000 needed to reach our goal!