Support for a girls only hockey program was among the topics covered by the Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families, and Vulnerable Populations at its recent meeting.

By Carlie Lombardi

At the April 16 meeting of the Committee on Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families, and Vulnerable Populations, Somerville councilors and community members discussed three major issues affecting local residents: the creation of a middle school girls intramural hockey program, the shortage of crossing guards amid recent pedestrian injuries, and the future of the city’s guaranteed basic income (GBI) pilot.

Advocates push for a girls only hockey program

Community members, led by parent advocate Annette McKee, urged the city to create a free intramural hockey program for middle school girls in the 2025-2026 school year. McKee emphasized the gender, cultural, and financial barriers that prevent many girls from accessing hockey in Somerville, noting that girls often leave the sport around age 13 due to the lack of all-girls teams.

Councilor Lance Davis, who coaches girls’ hockey in Cambridge, voiced strong support. “Girls’ hockey is one of the greatest sports that exists. It’s so supportive, so focused on lifting each other up,” he said. Councilor Davis and Kristen Strezo called on the mayor’s office to commit funding and resources to launch the program.

Representatives from Parks and Recreation affirmed their commitment to inclusive programming and talked about recent efforts to add more offerings for girls, teens, seniors, and unhoused residents. However, staff also talked about the importance of planning to ensure long-term program success.

City responds to pedestrian safety concerns and staffing gaps

Following three recent incidents in which children were struck by cars near schools, the committee also addressed public safety and staffing gaps in the city’s crossing guard program. Councilor Strezo cited dangerous driving behaviors near school, including frequent illegal left turns at Highland and Vinal, and called for immediate short-term solutions.

Sergeant McCarey reported that Somerville currently has 35 crossing guards out of 57 funded positions, with 10 new hires in training. He noted that the city has offered flexible shifts and is working with Human Resources to recruit more candidates.

“At the moment where we’re at such a low number, we will do anything to put a body at a corner, even if it’s one day a week,” McCarey said. While recruitment remains a challenge, retention is strong, with most current guards expected to return next year.

Mobility Director Brad Rawson added that long-term traffic calming strategies, including raised crosswalks and curb extensions, are making an impact, with pedestrian crashes declining from over 50 in 2019 to around 30 last year. He stressed that such design interventions remain a vital part of the city’s safety strategy.

Guaranteed Basic Income pilot nears end

The final agenda item centered on the city’s Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot, which provided $750 per month to 200 households over the past year. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the program aimed to support residents facing housing instability and financial hardship.

ARPA Director Erica Schwarz and Program Manager Jenny C. reported that the majority of participants are spending the funds monthly on essentials like rent, food, and debt repayment. “The unrestricted nature of the funds allowed participants to address their most urgent needs with dignity and flexibility,” Schwarz said.

As the pilot ends in June, city staff are working to connect recipients with housing, legal, and financial services. However, legal and funding limitations mean the city cannot continue the program in its current form without additional support.

Officials expressed concern about how the end of the program will affect families. “We don’t want to put anyone in a worse position,” Strezo said, asking for more data in future meetings about the demographics of participants and their feedback on what helped most.

The GBI discussion will continue in May, with hopes of identifying sustainable ways to support Somerville’s most vulnerable residents.