Boston Delegates Discuss Important Issues With City Councilor Ayanna Pressley

April 8, 2014

Boston delegates gathered recently at the 1199SEIU office in Dorchester, MA for a discussion with City Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley. Every day struggles like access to healthcare and education were discussed as well as community access to mental health resources for victims of trauma.

1199SEIU members expressed concern for teenagers from lower income families in their communities and asked about healthcare resources available in schools. Councilor Pressley replied, “We need more school based health centers and socio-emotional support to make trauma come undone. I was recently at Orchard Garden. The first thing I do when I go to a school is talk to the school nurse. At Orchard, the school partnered up with BU Dental School, and now 500 students are getting dental care that they wouldn’t have previously had.”

Boston member delegates shared personal experiences of trauma, experience with mental health issues, teen pregnancy, and a deficit of health care options available in their own communities. Delegate assemblies have invited guests in recent month to discuss community issues.