Catching up with Whittier on Unity Day

 
Children riding ponies and eating J.P licks ice cream from a Boston police trailer was Whittier public housing’s way of celebrating unity day last weekend. The Whittier tenant Task Force, which hosted the event, included a DJ to get the party started while smiling residents participated in activities.
 
Resident engagement events like Unity Day are linking youths to educational opportunities and health services, some of which are offered through programs like REACH and Whittier Health Center this year.
 
To make Unity Day more eventful, Stephanie Thomas, president of the Whittier Tenant Task Force incorporates activities suitable for all ages, such as a mini petting zoo and a homemade cotton candy machine.
 
“I go on and beyond on unity days to see residents laughing and having a good time,” Thomas said. She and majority of the elderly who attended the event wore red shirts to honor this year’s unity theme: Independence Day.
 
One of the attendees, Sophia Transtamar, brought her 4- year old son to celebrate their second annual Unity Day. Her reason for coming was to “establish meaningful relationships with residents.” Transtamar along with the vice president of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), Cory Mian and project manager, Charly Dirac attended the event as developers working on Whittier’s upcoming redevelopment.
 
This would be the Whittier Street neighborhood’s first official redevelopment since its launch as a 200-unit in 1953.
 
Two years ago, BHA created a transformation plan that included two years of community engagement and partnerships to develop BHA and the community’s vision to reshape Whittier site.
 
After submitting an important document, the developers are waiting for the city’s approval and attending a series of community meetings with the Task force and Boston Redevelopment authority (BRA). And they’re going well, Dirac noted.
 
But Charly and Cory aren’t the only ones crossing their fingers. Thomas, who also commended the redevelopment team for having good-mannerisms with residents, said residents are concerned but also excited about the potential redevelopment of Whittier public housing development.
 What do the kids think?
 
“They just really want a playground.”