City officials and staff, guest speakers and students celebrate the importance of fair housing
practices at the 2014 Fair Housing Awards Ceremony.
The Cambridge Human Rights Commission celebrated National Fair Housing Month by sponsoring its 21st Annual Fair Housing Award Ceremony and Reception on April 16, 2014, at City Hall. Attendees included Cambridge School student winners in grades 5-8, teachers, parents, bank sponsors and city officials including City Manager Richard C. Rossi and Mayor David P. Maher.
Students in grades 5-8 from the Amigos, Cambridge Street Upper, Graham & Parks, Putnam Upper and Tobin Schools participated in the Poster & Essay Contest. This year’s theme was “Fair Housing Opens Doors and Welcomes Everyone” and the First Prize winner of the poster contest was Mekinsa Frith, an eighth grader from Cambridge Street Upper School. Anahid Johnson, a 5th grader from the Amigos School won second prize.
NewsCenter 5 Anchor and Reporter Erika Tarantal served as Master of Ceremonies and Barbara Chandler, Senior Advisor on Civil Rights and Fair Housing for Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, was the Keynote Speaker.
Recipients of the Innovations in Fair Housing Award were Toni LaRosa and Judy Johnson both from Caritas/Central House, in recognition of their many years of commitment to Fair Housing in Cambridge.
The Cambridge Banks Housing Association (East Cambridge Savings Bank, Cambridge Savings Bank and Cambridge Trust Company) donated the specially designed T-shirts (designed by Carmen S. Negrón) to all participants and gift certificates for the top winners.
Honorable Mention winners received gift certificates donated by local businesses such as M.I.T. Federal Credit Union, Harvard Coop, Boston Duck Tours, Izzy’s Restaurant, Newbury Comics, Lanes and Games, Cinderella’s, Life Alive Urban Oasis & Organic Café, LEO Organization (Dunkin Donuts), P.F. Chang, Moksa Restaurant, S&S Restaurant and J.P. Licks.
Photo Below:
Fair Housing Awards 1st Place Poster Winner Mekinsa Frith, Cambridge Street Upper School
and Mayor David P. Maher at the 2014 Fair Housing Awards Ceremony at Cambridge City Hall.