MASSACHUSETTS HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR 2024-2025 WINTER HEATING SEASON

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which pays a portion of heating cost for eligible households, is now accepting applications. HEAP is a free, statewide resource that assists eligible renters and homeowners by paying a portion of their winter heating bills directly to their heating companies from November 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap">HEAP program</a>&nbsp;is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in partnership with Local Administering Agencies across the state.&nbsp; No matter what type of heating source&nbsp;you have, HEAP may be able to help you&nbsp;pay a portion of your winter heating bills. All&nbsp;Massachusetts&nbsp;residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.&nbsp; All&nbsp;Massachusetts&nbsp;residents whose gross income is 60% of the estimated state median income (for example, $64,333 for a family of 2 and $94,608 for a family of 4) or less are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program. Eligibility requirements, include but are not limited to household size and combined gross annual income of residents 18 and older. More information on income limits and benefit amounts can be found here&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-2025-heap-income-eligibility-benefit-chart-june-30-2024/download">https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-2025-heap-income-eligibility-benefit-chart-june-30-2024/download</a>. Enrollment is now open.&nbsp;The heating season runs from November 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025, and eligible households may have a portion of their home heating n paid through HEAP during that time. Applications are accepted through April 30, 2025. Eligible Massachusetts households can apply online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.toapply.org/MassHEAP">www.toapply.org/MassHEAP</a>.

Massachusetts

Free Bluebikes Day Passes on World Mental Health Day, Courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 

In recognition of World Mental Health Day and to support mental wellness within the Metro Boston community, <a href="https://www.bluecrossma.org/aboutus/">Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts</a> (“Blue Cross”) is sponsoring free <a href="https://www.bluebikes.com/">Bluebikes</a> Day Passes on Thursday, October 10. Throughout the day, residents and visitors can enjoy the mental health benefits of outdoor exercise by taking a Bluebikes ride, courtesy of the state’s leading health plan. Passes are available while supplies last. Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, which is municipally owned by thirteen cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts, jointly managed by the Cities of Boston, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville and the Town of Brookline, and operated under contract by Lyft. Free World Mental Health Day Passes are available from any of the Bluebikes stations across the system’s 13 municipalities: Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown. A full list of Bluebikes stations can be found at <a href="https://member.bluebikes.com/map/">www.bluebikes.com/map</a>. Riders can download and open the <a href="https://www.bluebikes.com/how-it-works/get-the-app">Bluebikes App</a> on a mobile device and enter the code BLUECROSSWMHD during checkout. Each code will unlock free Day Pass, which includes unlimited complimentary two-hour classic bike rides during a 24-hour period, and free ebike unlocks (a per-minute charge will apply for ebike usage after the unlock).

Bluebikes stations

Drive your Future in Real Estate:  Apply Now for in The Fallon Company and Street2Ivy’s  Real Estate Youth Entrepreneurship Program 

<a href="https://www.falloncompany.com/" target="_blank">The Fallon Company</a> and <a href="https://www.street2ivy.com/" target="_blank">Street2Ivy</a> are hosting the annual<a href="https://www.s2icommunity.org/real-estate-youth-program-2024" target="_blank"> Real Estate Entrepreneurship Youth Program,</a> a free six-week summer course to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and mentors needed to participate in real estate investing, and set them on a path to help eliminate the income and wealth disparity in Boston. &nbsp; Real estate industry experts, including executives from The Fallon Company, the program’s founding partner, will teach young participants the ins and outs of commercial real estate investment, including how to identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities, navigate the purchase process, sell an investment property and raise capital. Selected students will have the opportunity to learn from architects, designers and investors in both the classroom and on field trips to property development sites. Participants will leave the program with real-world knowledge and legitimate relationships they can use to uplift professional experience and their communities. July 9 - August 16, 2024 Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:00 pm Interested candidates must apply for consideration. Applications can be filled out <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdZYdugwcUleJySieSLCfHXUTsXo_00IvH-ruakhEGAu4-PA/viewform" target="_blank">here</a>. The deadline to apply is May 15.

Boston

TEENS SPEAK LIVE: What’s On Our Minds and What We Want You To Know

What do today’s teens wish their friends and families knew? In this special interactive event designed for teenagers, parents, and teachers, Globe deputy ideas editor Kelly Horan will be joined by local students to share their stories and discuss their questions, fears, and curiosities. This event is inspired by TEENS SPEAK, a special initiative from Globe Ideas that prompted people ages 13-19 to share “a dispatch from their lives,” with submissions in the form of poems, art and more. &nbsp; Doors open at 5:00 Event programming begins at 6:00 Livestream link: <a href="https://bostonglobe.zoom.us/j/92411725228" target="_blank">https://bostonglobe.zoom.us/j/92411725228</a>

More Than Words

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Honors Environmental Awareness Month with Bluebikes

In recognition of Environmental Awareness Month, <a href="https://www.bluecrossma.org/aboutus/">Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts</a> (“Blue Cross”) is donating $1 (up to $10,000) for every ride taken on <a href="https://www.bluebikes.com/">Bluebikes</a> in September to the Boston <a href="https://www.boston.gov/environment-and-energy/boston-tree-alliance-program">Tree Alliance</a>. Blue Cross is committed to advocating for the environmental health of its communities while expanding public bike sharing as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation, aligning with their overall mission to build sustainable solutions for better health. BCBSMA’s donations will go directly towards the Boston Tree Alliance, a City of Boston program working with Mass Audubon to bolster the City’s tree canopy (the parts of the city that are shaded by trees) and its tree planting and care in environmental justice neighborhoods that have been identified in the City’s <a href="http://boston.gov/heat-plan">Heat Plan</a> and <a href="https://boston.gov/urban-forest-plan">Urban Forest Plan</a>. Learn more <a href="https://newsroom.bluecrossma.com/2023-09-05-Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-of-Massachusetts-Supports-Metro-Boston-Urban-Reforestation-Efforts-Through-Bluebikes-Sponsorship">here</a>.   Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, which is owned by the municipalities and operated by Lyft. Bluebikes stations across the system’s 13 municipalities: Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown. A full list of Bluebikes stations can be found at <a href="http://www.bluebikes.com/map">www.bluebikes.com/map</a>.

The Boston Globe Hosts Free Globe Summit Conference  September 19-21: Today’s Innovators. Tomorrow’s Leaders.

The third annual Globe Summit conference will bring together the companies and organizations creating breakthroughs today and the people who will drive our industries forward tomorrow. Featuring a dynamic and distinguished roster of innovators, leaders and industry trailblazers, the award-winning conference returns September 19 – 21.   The Globe Summit is a free live interactive event, along with a virtual livestream, that will feature exclusive conversations and keynote presentations to spotlight the people of Boston — the researchers, entrepreneurs, students, executives and politicians, with the power to change the region and the world. This year’s preliminary line-up features a host of nationally recognized thought leaders across a variety of industries, including National Collegiate Athletic Association President and former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, former New England Patriot Devin McCourty, actor and climate advocate Rainn Wilson, critically acclaimed novelist Celeste Ng, Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, March For Our Lives Board Member and Co-Founder David Hogg, <a href="https://globesummit2023.splashthat.com/">and others</a>. Please find additional information on schedule and registration at <a href="https://globesummit2023.splashthat.com/">globe.com/summit</a>. To register for this event, please visit <a href="https://globesummit2023.splashthat.com/">globe.com/summit</a>. The Globe Summit Conference is free and registration to this event allows attendance to all three days.

WBUR CitySpace

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Rolls Out 100 Proud Bluebikes in Celebration of Pride Month 

<a href="https://aboutus.bluecrossma.com/">Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts</a> (Blue Cross) is rolling out 100 Proud bikes wrapped in a rainbow-themed design in celebration of Pride Month. As part of this month-long initiative to support the LGBTQIA+ community, Blue Cross will also donate $1 to <a href="https://fenwayhealth.org/">Fenway Health</a> for every ride taken on a Proud bike through the month of June. As the system’s operator under contract with the municipal owners, Lyft will also contribute $1 per ride after the 10,000th ride. Blue Cross is a sponsor of Fenway Health, which works to enhance the wellbeing of the Boston area’s LGBTQIA+ community and beyond through innovative, equitable, and accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education.  BCBSMA’s fourth annual fleet of Pride-themed Bluebikes and Fenway Health’s fundraising program underscores the healthcare brand’s dedication to enhancing resources in support of the LGBTQIA+ community to help achieve fully equitable, just, and healthy communities. Blue Cross is the sponsor of Bluebikes, which is owned by 13 municipalities in greater Boston. Find Proud bikes at any Bluebikes stations across the system’s 13 municipalities: Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown. A full list of Bluebikes stations can be found at <a href="https://member.bluebikes.com/map/">www.bluebikes.com/map</a>.

Free Bluebikes Adventure Passes Every Sunday in May for “Miles for Mental Health” Initiative

As May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and National Bike Month, <a href="https://aboutus.bluecrossma.com/" target="_blank">Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts</a> (“Blue Cross”) is sponsoring complimentary Bluebikes Adventure Passes as part of its “Miles for Mental Health” initiative, continuing to encourage the community to take care of their mental health. Each Sunday in May, riders can experience the full mental and physical benefits of outdoor exercise by getting outside and enjoying a free Bluebikes ride, courtesy of the state’s largest health plan. To recognize the importance of supporting and checking in on friends and family, “Miles for Mental Health” also includes a “Take a ride, Give a ride” promotion where riders who ride a Bluebikes on any Sunday in May receive a unique code via email to share with a friend or family member. Riders will be able to track how many miles they ride over the course of the month in the Bluebikes App and the top 10 individuals who log the most miles on Bluebikes in May will win a free annual Bluebikes membership, sponsored by Blue Cross. Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, which is owned by the municipalities and operated by Lyft. Free “Miles for Mental Health” Adventure Passes are available from any of the Bluebikes stations across the system’s 13 municipalities: Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown. A full list of Bluebikes stations can be found at <a href="https://member.bluebikes.com/map/" target="_blank">www.bluebikes.com/map</a>. Riders can take advantage of unlimited two-hour Adventure Passes by downloading and opening the <a href="https://www.bluebikes.com/app" target="_blank">Bluebikes App</a> on a mobile device and selecting “Adventure Pass” on each Sunday in May. #nationalbikemonth

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.