sswenson

A year and a half ago, JPNDC community organizers Giovanny Valencia and Juan Gonzalez encouraged Boston voters to say "yes" to the Community Preservation Act (CPA). TODAY... the CPA is reality, Juan is retired in El Salvador (writing and volunteering), Giovanny is our Community Organizing Director, and on April 3 YOU can speak out about how [...]

Art runs in the lifeblood of Jamaica Plain and new artists arrive every day! Today we’re speaking with JP resident Michael Spicher, who responded to our open call for interviews (you can too!) and shared his love of Porchfest (he performs), how he uses stories to teach philosophy, and more. K: Where are you from [...]

Did you know that JPNDC provides free bilingual financial education and financial coaching that can help families from all over Boston build assets and advance their careers? Today, we are chatting with Donayda Salomon about her path from Family Prosperity Initiative participant, to JPNDC volunteer, to working full-time as a Financial Counselor. K: Where are you from [...]

JP is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in Boston but do you ever wonder if their staff can afford to live here? Today, we are chatting with Ruddy Rower-Camacho, a well-known JP bartender and service industry veteran, about how housing prices are affecting industry workers in JP, how to manage living [...]

Do you know what’s filling the former Harvest Co-op space on South Street? Juicygreens will open this winter with a variety of smoothies, pressed juices, soups, arepas and salads. Today, we are chatting with Juicygreens founder and owner Ammy Lowney about being in the First Cohort for IFundWomen Boston, making the switch from teacher to [...]

The JPNDC Brewery Small Business Complex is home to 50 small businesses. Did you know that number includes several artist studios as well? One of those artists is Melissa Rocklen, owner of Rocklen Designs, who creates her beautiful mobiles just steps away from JPNDC’s offices. Today, we are chatting with Melissa about her nature-inspired artwork, [...]

Have you caught an episode of the award-winning 'The Pineapple Diaries' web series? The show centers around the lives of three best friends who live in Jamaica Plain. Today we are chatting with JP native and show creator, Paloma Valenzuela, about the her production company, La Gringa Loca Productions, her dedication to telling the stories of [...]

Did you know Jamaica Plain has three Main Streets districts? JP is home to Egleston Square, Hyde/Jackson and Centre/South Main Streets. Today we are chatting with the new Executive Director of JP Centre/ South Main Streets Ginger Brown about her goals as the new director, her ambition for JP to be nationally recognized, and why [...]