Alice Taylor Housing Development
To Host 2015 ‘Unity Day’ on Saturday, August 15
This year’s celebration to focus on healthy choices

 
BOSTON, MA - Each summer, residents of the Alice Taylor Housing Development host an annual Unity Day: a well-attended block party by and for residents in conjunction with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). This year, City agencies, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) and Greenovate Boston will join residents to encourage the consumption of healthy food and beverages, particularly tap water, and to promote smoke-free homes. Giveaways, raffles and fun, kid-friendly activities will appeal to all residents.
 
“Unity day is special to me because it brings resources to the Alice Taylor community which is very diverse. Unity day gives residents a chance to meet providers and educate themselves about what serves are out there. The event draws out and welcomes new resident families while families who have left the Alice Taylor community come back to support the development. Unity day at Alice Taylor also shows out partnerships with BHA, Northeastern, Whittier St Health Clinic and many others. As tenant President of Alice Taylor task force I would like to thank everyone who supports the Alice Taylor development now and over the years,” said Matilda Drayton, President of Alice Taylor Tenant Task force.

Unity Day was established by the Boston Housing Authority in the mid-1980s to generate a greater sense of community among residents. Activities at this year’s events will promote the health and environmental benefits of tap water—Boston was just awarded best tap water in a 2014 national competition, something not many Bostonians are aware of—by offering blind taste tests to compare Alice Taylor’s tap water to bottled water. BWSC will bring their water truck to Whittier Street and MWRA will provide access to tap water at Franklin Field and the BPHC will distribute free reusable water bottles, making it easier for BHA residents to drink from the tap. There will also be tables where residents can take the “Soda Free Summer” pledge, which encourages residents to eliminate or reduce soda consumption during the summer months.

“It’s important that our residents have access to information and resources that assist them to achieve a healthy lifestyle and make healthy choices for themselves and their children,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle, “We’re looking forward to healthier Unity Days and a better quality of life for all.”

Henry F. Vitale, Executive Director of BWSC said that “the Commission is committed to continuing to work with the BHA, the BPHC and Greenovate Boston in promoting healthier choices for residents. Boston tap water provides the highest quality, most accessible and least expensive way to stay hydrated.”
 
Support for the City’s healthy living effort is provided by the Boston REACH: Partners in Health and Housing project, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Funding will pay for involvement of tenant organizations, resident health advocates and youth resident health ambassadors. Resident health advocates will participate in skills development including tobacco cessation counseling, social media efforts and other communication skills, as well as health improvement efforts. This effort is part of a 10-year collaboration among the BPHC, BHA and Boston University School of Public Health to promote health and healthy environments for the residents of Boston Housing Authority.
 
“We are so excited to partner with Alice Taylor residents, as well as the BHA, to promote healthy beverages and smoke-free homes,” said Huy Nguyen, MD, the Interim Executive Director and Medical Director of the BPHC. “It is a great opportunity to show how healthy choices start in the home, and how BHA is supporting their residents to be healthier.”
 
Boston health data demonstrates the importance of such efforts for residents of public and rental assisted housing. An analysis based of Boston’s 2013 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that:

• 32% of public housing and 27% of Section 8 residents reported past 30 day cigarette smoking, compared to 16% of other residents

• 20% reported consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day, compared to 8% of other residents, and

• 67% residents in subsidized housing were overweight or obese compared to 54% of other residents

For information about Boston REACH: Partners in Health and Housing, visit bphc.org.