It's election day, Somerville! Polling locations are open through 8 p.m. You can find more information, including your polling location, at somervillema.gov/elections

It's election season, Somerville. There are braille embossed and large print copies of this year's ballot questions at polling locations, as well as accessible versions of the charter summary at SPL locations and at City Hall. For more accessibility information, visit somervillema.gov/elections.

The @cityofsomerville.bsky.social's Commission for Persons with Disabilities is recruiting for three open seats. You can apply and find more information online at bit.ly/SCPD_seats25

Join the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND Inc. at this year's annual Domestic Violence Vigil. You can add the event to your calendar at bit.ly/DV_Vigil2025

Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. On our webpage, we're sharing resources that highlight the history and legacy of Indigenous populations in and around Somerville. Check it out: somervillema.gov/rsj

The RSJ Youth League 25/26 Cohort Application closes next week! This paid program is open to youth from Somerville and is a great opportunity for youth to learn more about civic engagement, tackle issues facing our community, and more. Apply online: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

We're glad you're our neighbor! As we celebrate Welcoming Week, OHS joins City of Somerville staff to share a warm message of belonging to all our residents. Thank you for your partnership, Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA)! #WelcomingWeek #Somerville #BelongingBeginsWithUs

The 2025-26 RSJ Youth League application is now open! This great paid opportunity is designed to help foster civic engagement and learning opportunities for Somerville youth through a justice lens. The application is open through September 22nd: bit.ly/YouthLeague_25

We were happy to join the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the #DisabilityPrideMonth flag raising last week! It was a special occasion celebrating both Disability Pride month AND the 35th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act 🥳

Due to high demand, the Somerville Human Rights Commission (HRC) is adding new focus group sessions on 8/6 and 8/7. Register for a session and help provide feedback about human rights issues in Somerville and what services the HRC should provide in our City! bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups

The Somerville Human Rights Commission wants to hear from YOU! Attend an upcoming focus group to help them hone in on their mission, share about what issues they should be tackling in Somerville, and more. bit.ly/HRC_focusgroups

Happy #Juneteenth! We were celebrating with community members from Somerville and Medford at the Somerville Juneteenth Flag Raising and the Tufts University "Together We Rise" event. Catch up with the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social Juneteenth Flag Raising: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7N...

We're joining with the Somerville Arts Council, the Somerville Museum, and @cityofsomerville.bsky.social to kick off Somerville's annual fireworks celebration with a reading of Frederick Douglass' famous address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July." See you there 👋

The @cityofsomerville.bsky.social Juneteenth Flag Raising is next Monday, June 16 from 12 - 1 p.m. Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth, hear from speakers, and enjoy some light refreshments and ice cream.

City Council agendas are now available in braille for every meeting! This year, RSJ received the City's braille machine, onboarded and trained staff (with help from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities), and is looking forward to expanding our braille printing program in the months ahead.

There's plenty of ways to commemorate Juneteenth coming up across Somerville and Medford. This year, we're partnering with the City of Medford, Tufts University, and the Somerville Museum to expand programming in our community. Read more about these events and others and RSVP: somervillema.gov/rsj

Join us on June 16 for the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social annual Juneteenth Flag Raising! We’ll have ice cream, a speaking portion featuring local leaders, and more festivities.

On Saturday, May 31, attend the second annual New England Hong Kong Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Seven Hills Park in Somerville to celebrate the vibrant culture, food, and creativity of Hongkongers across the region. The event is free and open to all. Rain date is June 1.

Join us as we continue our Neighbors Talking to Neighbors community conversation series tomorrow. We'll be discussing immigration. Registration and details available at: somervillema.gov/rsj

Continue celebrating #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth with the Commission for Persons with Disabilities at their Mindful Moods Mingle event next Monday, May 12th!

Attend a "Neighbors Talking to Neighbors" session - @cityofsomerville.bsky.social's new dialogue series bringing together residents from across the City to join in discussion. For more information about the sessions and to register, visit somervillema.gov/rsj.

Statistics show that you can make a difference in helping survivors of sexual assault by greeting them with belief, support, and compassion. #StartByBelieving

Join the Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the first of their #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth events next Wednesday, May 7th. This event will bring together people of all ages to discuss supporting one another and how we can normalize the language of mental health. RSVP: bit.ly/HT_25

The City of Somerville is recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April. We’re highlighting the “Start By Believing” campaign, a push to greet survivors with belief and support. Read more about the campaign, resources in the City, and how you can make a difference 👇

$1M dollars is in your hands, Somerville! Voting is now open for the City's second Participatory Budgeting cycle. Residents age 12 and up can now vote on their favorite city improvement ideas. Voting is open through Wednesday, April 30. Learn more and vote at: somervillema.gov/pb

@mayorkatjana.bsky.social and the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social are joining the national campaign and recognizing today, April 2nd, as #StartByBelieving Day! We're working to change the way we respond to sexual assault and stamp out violence in our community. We're Starting By Believing.

Join us for the Week of the Young Child Celebration on Thursday April 10th from 5:30 PM–7:00 PM at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave).

We hope you'll join us tomorrow as we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth with food, live music, and more at Somernova! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

Join us for the annual Women's History Month celebration on Wednesday, March 26th! We'll be joining together to celebrate women, enjoy good food, song, and dance, and hear from a slate of women representing the City of Somerville and Massachusetts! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

🌍✨ LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR ALL! ✨🌍 At the City of Somerville, we’re committed to ensuring EVERYONE can access city services in their preferred language! 🗣️💙

Join us for the annual Women's History Month celebration on Wednesday, March 26th! We'll be joining together to celebrate women, enjoy good food, song, and dance, and hear from a slate of women representing the City of Somerville and Massachusetts! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratin...

👏Language 👏Rights👏 Are👏 Civil 👏Rights 👏

It was great to see members of our community at the Preserving Black History event with the Somerville Museum. After the event, we asked folks how they were celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth and preserving Black History. Here's what they shared. Watch the recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yum3...

We're capping off #BlackHistoryMonth at the Somerville Museum to talk Black History, its impact on culture, how we preserve Black history in the future, and more. Join us for this free event: bit.ly/BHM_2025

In collaboration with SomerViva (Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs), Somerville Public Library will be hosting a Know Your Rights Training. Come learn about your and your neighbors' immigration rights! 🧵

If you're looking for local events, screenings, or celebrations commemorating Black History Month, we're rounding up events in and around Somerville here! Those marked in green are taking place in the City of Somerville.

In honor of Black History Month, join RSJ and the Somerville Museum for a free panel discussion about preserving Black history, its connection to the arts and culture, the Black diaspora, and more. RSVP: bit.ly/BHM_2025

Join the Somerville Public Library to find books about Black History Month and written by black authors!

Join the Somerville Public Library for a Black History Month celebration that explores the "Black Heritage Trail," highlighting residences and community buildings tied to a thriving Black history on and near Beacon Hill before, during, and after the Civil War. Register: tinyurl.com/2s3jxzds

Community members still have the opportunity to watch Good Trouble at no cost as they celebrate Black History Month this February. Visit filmplatform.net/events/somervillejohnlewis and access the documentary with code "JLS-SOM"

We hope you'll join us tomorrow evening for the PSFA Report Release Event at 6:30 p.m. at the Somerville High School. Additionally, you can tune in virtually to the event live stream online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uRr...

The Anti-Violence Working Group is recommending a number of steps to combat violence in Somerville, including City-wide education campaigns, implementing new communication systems, deepening relationships with constituents and service providers, and more. Read their report at somervillema.gov/psfa

The Civilian Oversight Task Force is recommending that the City establish a first-of-its-kind civilian oversight body. They outline the key considerations, structures to implement, and how they came to these recommendations in their report: somervillema.gov/psfa

The Public Safety for All Task Force report is now live. The group is recommending that the City adopt a co-response model, implement body-worn cameras for law enforcement, consider utilizing civilians in SPD, and more. Read the full report or the executive summary at somervillema.gov/psfa.

The Public Safety for All Reports are now live on somervillema.gov/psfa. The groups provided recommendations that could reshape the public safety landscape in Somerville, including establishing a civilian oversight body, adopting co-response, implementing body-worn cameras, and more.

Next Tuesday, February 4th, we’re hosting time for community members to join representatives from the Task Forces/Working Group to discuss their completed reports, the recommendations they made, and the course of their work. Submit questions for discussion: form.jotform.com/250074276188...

The Public Safety for All Reports are now live on somervillema.gov/psfa. The groups provided recommendations that could reshape the public safety landscape in Somerville, including establishing a civilian oversight body, adopting co-response, implementing body-worn cameras, and more.

(1/2) Join us for Somerville's 2nd Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration! We invite you and your loved ones to come together with the local Chinese, East Asian, and Southeast Asian communities to celebrate the arrival of the Snake Year.

We're partnering with Somerville Public Schools to bring together the Somerville community this MLK Day for a panel discussion, live performance by The Floor Lords, and a community donation drive. We hope to see you there! More info: bit.ly/MLKDay_25

We're partnering with Somerville Public Schools to bring together the Somerville community this MLK Day for a panel discussion, live performance by The Floor Lords, and a community donation drive. We hope to see you there! More info: bit.ly/MLKDay_25