By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

When we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, we’re celebrating a bountiful harvest and reminding ourselves to be thankful for all we have. While we are mindful of why we should be thankful for the blessings in our own lives, during the holidays our thoughts also turn to those who may be struggling to put food on the table, find a home or care for their families. My time as mayor has taught me that I am never alone when it comes to speaking up for the people of our city. That’s part of Somerville’s soul—the desire to speak out for our neighbors and stand up for one another. We can count on each other. There are organizations across Somerville that help out those who need help, or who provide a unified voice for groups in our community. This holiday season, 15 nonprofits are coming together to make it even easier for all of us to stand up for those in our community who need our help.

Giving Tuesday Somerville will take place all day on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with donations accepted online anytime during the day and a live telethon hosted by Jimmy Tingle airing on SCATV from 6 to 9 p.m. This local branch of an international movement aimed at devoting a day to celebrating generosity and giving. Giving Tuesday Somerville is the first local effort of what I hope becomes an annual holiday tradition for our community.

Tune into SCATV next Tuesday for the telephone for live entertainment, local celebrities and informative discussions, and go to SCATV’s website at www.scatvsomerville.org to donate. All donations will be divided evenly among the 15 organizations, and I’d like to highlight these organizations if you don’t already know about them, because as important it is to financially support these nonprofits, they also need people willing to volunteer their time, energy and passion:

• CAAS (Community Action Agency of Somerville) is provides critical services to local families and individuals to reduce poverty and prevent homelessness, and connects those in need to other agencies that strengthen our community. CAAS also runs the Head Start program here in Somerville.

• CORES (Community Organization of Refugees from El Salvador) aids Central American immigrants living in Somerville and throughout the Boston area, supporting them on immigration issues and offering English as a Second Language (ESL) and literacy classes.

• The F amily Equality Council offers a variety of programs for families, especially families with parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, including local parent groups, parenting workshops and those that empower LGBT parents, while working to ensure that all families are treated equally and with respect.

• Groundwork Somerville runs programs that promote environmental, economic and social well-being. Among their projects are the Mobile Farmers Market, which provides healthy, local produce at public and senior housing in Somerville, and the Green Team that serves as an environmental education, leadership and job training program for Somerville High School students.

• MAPS (Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers) helps Somervillians from Brazil, Cape Verde, Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking nations contribute to our community and get access to health, education and social services.
• The Mystic Learning Center improves the lives of children and families at the Mystic River Housing Development in Winter Hill, with an innovative parent and youth service model. The Center offers year-round educational and recreational activities for kids.
• RESPOND Inc. is the second oldest domestic violence agency in the nation, has a 24-hour hotline at 617-623-5900 for victims, and offers individual counseling and support groups, assistance to victims needing necessities such as food and clothing, legal support for victims and more.

• Second Chances provides free clothing to homeless and lower-income people in Somerville, working directly with local homelessness, emergency assistance and anti-poverty organizations.

• Somerville Cambridge Elderly Services runs various programs including Meals-on-Wheels, a Brown Bag Program that provides nutritious groceries every month to seniors, farmers’ market coupons and community cafes.

• Somerville Community Access Television connects people with everything going on in Somerville, through coverage of events and meetings and the Somerville Neighborhoods News program, while providing an outlet for creativity and freedom of speech.
• The Somerville Community Corporation is our local community development corporation and works on keeping Somerville affordable for all, through the creation of affordable housing, programs that connect residents with jobs and more.

• The Somerville Homeless Coalition provides supportive services to members of our community who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, including prevention services, housing services, emergency shelter, food assistance and case management.
• Somerville Local First supports locally-owned and independent businesses that make Somerville unique and vibrant, and promotes sustainable economic development.
• Patrick’s Shelter in Somerville, run by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston, is an emergency shelter for homeless women who also receive referrals for health care, mental health services, educational services and housing. They also run a transitional program for those staying at the shelter.
• The Welcome Projectoffers a variety of programs that support immigrant youth, adults and families.

All these organizations play an important role in making Somerville a welcoming place to live, work, play and raise a family. I hope that on Tuesday, Dec. 2, you’ll head to the SCATV website and donate for Giving Tuesday, and celebrate those who work so hard on the behalf of others.