  The ABUW’s series of Community Forums are open discussion sessions for key leaders to gather and discuss priority concerns facing area residents. Participants include agency representatives, school and town officials, clergy and other constituents. These events focus on raising awareness of issues and unmet need in the community, brainstorming to identify collaborative solutions, and addressing common concerns. An equally compelling result that takes place among participants at these Forums is vital networking, sharing of ideas, concerns, and referral information, as well as connections to other resources. December 2011 Forum For representatives from local social service agencies, law enforcement, government and the faith community at the ABUW Community Forum on Dec. 1st, "measuring" the year meant a lively discussion on the issues and trends of the last 12 months. There was strong consensus that the fragile economy continues to provide the backdrop to a number of problems in our area; joblessness translating into homelessness, domestic violence, stress and other mental health concerns. As the participants listened to updates from State Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Jen Benson, the need to truly 'measure' the year with quantifiable data became apparent. Click here to read the entire summary of the forum. May 2011 Forum Collaboration and integration; those were the buzzwords stressed by the Executive Director of Lazarus House of Lawrence, MA, Bridget Shaheen. Shaheen was the featured speaker at the Spring Community Forum sponsored by the Acton-Boxborough United Way on May 5th. Speaking to nearly 40 representatives of community service organizations from the Acton and Boxborough area, Shaheen highlighted the methods and techniques that have proven successful at Lazarus House as they strive to positively impact the lives of the people in Lawrence. Click here to read the entire summary of the forum. November 2010 Forum On November 4th, over 40 dedicated human service providers, town officials and clergy from different faiths attended a community forum to share with each other the pressing needs and growing trends facing our community. The many agencies demonstrated new resolve in facing the challenges of the recession and the many ways it has affected families. Click here to read a summary of the forum. November 2009 Forum On November 4th, 34 people representing approximately 20 agencies from Acton, Boxborough and Concord attended a community forum meeting at the Boxborough Library. The common theme running through each of the agencies is that funding and grants are significantly decreased and/or eliminated, the numbers of clients have increased placing clients on wait-lists, and the needs of clients are on the up tick due to economic conditions. Click here to read a summary of the forum. January 2009 Forum On January 29th, representatives from 20 agencies and groups that help local residents met with Acton’s new Community Services Coordinator Laura Ducharme. The event was a Forum organized by the Acton Boxborough United Way (ABUW), and was the first time agencies came together since Ducharme began her position in January. The Forum was an opportunity for the agencies to introduce themselves to Ducharme, discuss their work, the services they provide, and the issues they are experiencing during the current economic downturn. Many are facing greater demand for their services and declining access to financial resources. Click here to read the article. November 2007 Forum In November of 2007, a Forum was held with an open agenda for attendees to bring their most pressing concerns to the table. Many different issues were raised, with a high priority being placed on the need for a centralized social services coordinator. This discussion led to the formation of another Task Force, which succeeded in bringing a proposal to the Town of Acton's elected leaders, and ultimately to voters at the spring 2008 Town Meeting. Their efforts resulted in the approval of funding for a Community Social Services Coordinator for the Town of Acton and subsequently the hiring of Laura Ducharme in January of 2009. Click here to read the minutes from the Forum. October 2006 Forum In October of 2006, a Forum was held with individuals, organizations and agencies interested in addressing the needs of the immigrant populations in our areas, and specifically, the Brazilian population, which has been identified as the most vulnerable. Efforts are underway to determine how best to assist these and other families learn about the resources available to them as members of our community. Meetings with representatives of the Brazilian population as well as providing materials in Portuguese were suggested as means of outreach. January 2005 Forum A Forum was held in January of 2005 to discuss the local transportation challenges, with a focus on the obstacles faced by vulnerable populations - senior citizens, immigrants, youth aged 12-16, people with disabilities, etc. A Task Force was assembled from that Forum, which subsequently led to the establishment of the Transportation Advisory Committee, which coordinates local transportation planning efforts and makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board. The committee recently conducted an online survey to determine the most pressing transportation needs. Click here to read the minutes from the Forum. September 2004 Forum A Forum was held in September of 2004 to focus on specific issues and move forward with plans to address the lack of local transportation for seniors, immigrant families and low-income households. Additional time was spent discussing the myriad of challenges that immigrant families face — language barriers, cultural conflicts, labor issues and more. A plan was put in motion to make that another priority agenda item for future Forums. Click here to read the minutes from the Forum. June 2004 Forum After a three year hiatus, the Forums were revived and the first was held in June of 2004. This session brought old and new participants to the table to review the list of priority issues identified in the ABUW’s 2001 community assessment, and to identify those issues that had surfaced in more recent months. From this meeting, it was clear that the Community Forums needed to continue on a regular basis. Click here to read the minutes from the Forum. For updated information about these events, check this website, or send an email to .
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