Change Starts with Community – Community of Hope Cambridge

“Community change cannot happen through organizations alone,” says Veronica Taylor, MDF’s Community Engagement Coordinator, who leads Community Hope Cambridge, a neighborhood-based collaborative where residents are helping identify needs, shape and lead solutions, and strengthen their community. “Lasting change requires both community support and participation.”

For too long, many efforts to address poverty have been designed for communities rather than with them. Moving Dorchester Forward serves as the backbone, or “community quarterback,” of Community of Hope Cambridge, which is working to change that by connecting partners, coordinating resources, and facilitating community-led action.

“Together, we can turn ideas into action and help more families achieve long-term economic stability.”

The ambassadors are also helping shape the 2027–2029 Neighborhood Action Plan, which focuses on high-quality education and childcare, economically secure and healthy families, and safe, thriving communities. The plan is informed by residents’ feedback, which was gathered through community conversations, public meetings, Facebook Live discussions, surveys, door-to-door outreach, and meetings at senior centers, apartment complexes, and other neighborhood gathering places.

“We want the community to know we’re here and we want to hear from them,” Veronica said. “Together, we can turn ideas into action and help more families achieve long-term economic stability.”