Somerville to Host Small-Group COVID-19 Listening Sessions as Part of Ongoing COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

As part of Mayor Katjana Ballanytne’s First 100 Day Agenda and the City’s ongoing work to ensure an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Ballantyne will be hosting small-group listening sessions with Somerville residents and workers disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to listen to community experiences and gather ideas and input on how the City can support the recovery. Listening sessions will be jointly facilitated by the Mayor and interested members of the community. City staff will also help document the conversations so that ideas and comments can be considered as the City develops its recovery plan. 

Somerville residents and workers who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, such as those who have lost loved ones and those who have had their income, employment, health, housing, food access, education, childcare, or mental health disrupted by the pandemic will be prioritized for participation in the sessions. 

Somerville residents or workers interested in participating in a listening session can sign up as an individual or on behalf of a group at somervillema.gov/ListeningSessions or by calling 311 (617-666-3311). Participants can also volunteer to serve as a community liaison for their group, which could include helping with facilitation, note-taking, and reviewing write-ups of the meeting. Listening sessions will begin in April. Sessions can be held via Zoom, telephone conference, or in person. Interpretation can be provided. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.