BOSTON-Senator Sal DiDomenico recently served as a speaker at the Massachusetts Immigrants and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition’s Annual Our Shared Table event at the State House. Every year, to kick off the holiday season, MIRA hosts this luncheon for newly sworn-in U.S citizens and other immigrants and refugees to celebrate our Commonwealth’s rich diversity, share personal stories, and make new connections.

“Our Shared Table is always one of my favorite events of the year, and it was an honor to join with so many friends at this year’s holiday luncheon to celebrate our immigrant and refugee community,” said Senator DiDomenico. “I am proud to support MIRA Coalition through our work in the Massachusetts Senate, and I am very grateful to Executive Director Eva Millona and her team for all that they do to make our Commonwealth a welcoming place for all.”

Senator DiDomenico has been a longtime supporter of MIRA Coalition and champion for immigrants’ rights. Throughout his tenure in the Senate, he has continuously voted against legislation and amendments to the state budget that would harm Massachusetts’ immigrant and refugee community. In one of his very first votes as a State Senator, he joined with only nine other colleagues in opposition to a budget amendment that unfairly targeted Massachusetts immigrants. Since then, he repeatedly advocated for initiatives that provide critical services to our immigrant and refugee population and programs that help residents of Massachusetts become United States citizens.

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BOSTON-Senator Sal DiDomenico recently announced a new civics education law aimed at strengthening civics education in the Commonwealth’s public schools by taking a nonpartisan approach to civic engagement projects and awareness programs starting in the eighth grade.

Senator DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed this piece of legislation in July and Governor Baker signed a revised version of the bill last week. DiDomenico was a strong supporter of the bill and greater civics education in the Commonwealth.

“Now more than ever, civics education is of the highest importance to teach and prepare our next generation of leaders,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I am confident that this law will empower youth with the tools and knowledge they need to be well-versed in our electoral system and legislative process, and will ensure that they are ready to be active participants in our democracy.”

The law requires every school district that serves students in eighth grade or high school to offer all students the chance to participate in a non-partisan civics project. State officials will also be required to develop a voter registration challenge, to encourage students get their classmates to register or pre-register to vote. 

The law also implements new requirements for civics education. Schools will now be required to teach:

·         the state and U.S. constitutions;

·         the Bill of Rights;

·         local history and government;

·          the branches of government;

·         the responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy;

·         digital media literacy;

·         issues related to diversity and power; and

·         etiquette regarding the flag.

A trust fund will be created to help school districts develop curricula that adhere to the new state history and civics education requirements. 

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BOSTON—At last week’s Roca 30th Anniversary Community Celebration Senator Sal DiDomenico received the Unsung Hero Award for his dedication and commitment throughout the years to his community and the youth of Roca.  DiDomenico has been a longtime supporter of Roca and its mission to disrupt the cycle of poverty and incarceration by helping young people transform their lives.

“I would like to extended my sincerest thanks to Molly Baldwin and everyone at Roca for presenting me with an Unsung Hero Award at last night’s 30th Anniversary Community Celebration,” said Senator DiDomenico. “Roca does phenomenal work for the youth in our community; they not only change lives, but they save lives each day. Their work has been noticed by leaders from across the country and they are now working with young people in several cities throughout the United States. I am very proud to support the entire Roca team through our work at the State House, and I look forward to 30 more years of them making a positive impact in our community.”

DiDomenico has worked with Roca on multiple occasions to raise awareness on their mission in the State House and to secure funding that will support at-risk youth in our community. In 2017, DiDomenico brought his Massachusetts Senate colleagues to Roca’s Chelsea facility to learn more about their unique Intervention Model as part of the Senate’s Commonwealth Conversations tour across the Commonwealth. The Senators had the opportunity to meet with Roca’s youth workers, educators, crew supervisors and program staff to discuss their high-risk young men and young mothers programs and hear from the young adults who work to transform their lives with Roca’s help.

The Senator has also been a longtime supporter of Roca’s legislative and budget priorities, working with them to advocate for and advance juvenile justice reform legislation and state funding that will support Roca’s important work.  

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