New office, expanded opportunities and an August 18 open house

With the last boxes unpacked after moving to its new office, MassCOSH is opening its doors to the public with an Open House on August 18, from 5:30 – 7:30pm, at 1532B Dorchester Avenue. Guests will have more then enough room to speak with staff and rub elbows with other supporters – the new office is nearly twice the size as the organization’s previous location based at the Vietnamese American Community Center, also in Dorchester. The event will feature refreshments prepared by MassCOSH Worker Center members.

Workers who had visited MassCOSH’s previous location would probably recall the organizations tight layout, cramped walkways, and back-to-back department set up.

Those same workers would be amazed by the organization’s new configuration. Open spaces and bright colors make the MassCOSH headquarters almost unrecognizable. Actual program offices are also a welcome addition, with Teens Lead @ work (TL@W) and the Workers Center located in their own respective offices. The new space also has two meeting rooms – a small room for confidential meetings and a larger for workshops.

“One of the many benefits to our new space in out ability to hold trainings and events in our own office,” says MassCOSH Executive Director Marcy Goldstein-Gelb. “It was also important for us to stay in Dorchester. Dorchester is home to many low wage and immigrant workers – groups who are often taken advantage of by their employer and unaware of their rights on the job. Being accessible is key to our mission of working with disadvantaged groups to secure safe and healthy jobs for everyone.”

As expected, staff was relieved and excited to have increased leg room and the ability to work on projects without bumping into walls, filing cabinets, and even others.

“We are a lot less cramped, that’s for sure,” says Mirna Montano, Worker Center Organizer. “It’s really helped our organizing capacity; we have the room to plan our Worker Center activities in our own space.”

Montano’s excitement was shared by MassCOSH’s peer leaders at the Teens Lead @ work (TL@W) program, one of the MassCOSH programs which is getting its own space.

“It’s a relief to have our own space,” says Sterling Anthony, one of the programs peer leaders who also serves on MassCOSH’s Board of Directors. “You feel more reassured that you are going to be able to do the things you were planning to do. At the old space, the room we would use would not always be available.”

MassCOSH has a long history of inviting workers and allies and even just the curious to stop by its office to speak with staff and observe MassCOSH in action.

“I think it’s nice to be on a main city avenue,” said Al Vega, Office Manager. “Being in the dead center of such a predominate neighborhood like Fields Corner will help us reach an even greater number of people. It’s also nice to have a place that you can consider your own.”

Join MassCOSH on August 18 from 5:30-7:30 at 1532B Dorchester Avenue, Fields Corner, Dorchester to check out MassCOSH headquarters for yourself. Please click here to RSVP.

Did you know that in the past five years, MassCOSH has grown 35% thanks in part to gifts and membership dues from individuals like you?

Please consider becoming a MassCOSH member, making a tax-deductable gift, or getting involved today.