Cambridge is embarking on an alternative response to many calls.Dubbed “HEART”. Here is a Dec update.

The HEART team 2 co-directors, an office manager, hired and trained 7 Cambridge community members from underserved communities to be HEART responders (see training list). HEART has received over $450,000 in grant funding (Borealis Philanthropy, The Boston Foundation, The Boston Women’s Fund, RESIST, Groundswell, Policylink, Common Counsel Foundation, Wayfarer) over 2.5 years. The team has raised another $450,000 from more than 500 individual donors in the community (see informational sheet and including the recent $150,000 match).

The structure originally envisioned by the community is also taking shape. We have a small but dedicated board of directors that represent people from all walks of life. HEART has created working groups that involve community members (mental health, domestic violence/sexual assault, communications, grant writing and donor management, research). We have revised the mission of HEART to include research. HEART has received a grant of $25,000 from Boston University’s Center for Anti-Racist Research (CAR) to conduct research on the community safety landscape in Cambridge.

We began taking preliminary calls in January 2022. We have added to the types of calls we take and now the Cambridge HEART Responders are taking non-emergency calls. We are working toward acquiring all of the software and equipment needed to begin taking on crisis calls in 2023. Active advocacy with the City Council and administration has led to City Council support for HEART and meetings with the new city manager which are envisioning the necessary city funding and contracts for HEART In addition to recognizing and appreciating the visible HEART staff, working groups and community providers we have also built an on-going, dedicated network of local progressive activist involvement. Organizations including SURJ, Our Revolution, the Residents Alliance , National Lawyers Guild, the Material Aid and Advocacy Program, Cambridge DSA support the HEART initiative with many tasks