Unsung Heroes Recognized by Anonymous Donor

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Mayor Thomas M. Menino presented five Bostonians with the ‘Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award,’ in recognition of the power of the individual to make a difference.

TPI designed the Boston Neighborhood Fellows Program for an anonymous donor as one strategy to achieve the donor's goal of recognizing individuals of unusual creativity, vision, and initiative who are quietly making the community a better place. Each year, six individuals nominated by spotters, are chosen to receive $30,000 no strings attached awards.

Through this initiative, the donor achieves the dual goals of recognizing the power of unsung heroes to make a difference while reminding others that hope and possibility exist, even in difficult times. Learn more.

TPI is pleased to introduce the 2010 Fellows:

Patricia Flaherty, Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, is an organizer at heart, an activist and unsung hero of the Mission Hill neighborhood. Whether chairing a board meeting, getting out the vote, or stopping a bulldozer, she does whatever it takes to work with all members of the community to preserve and improve the Mission Hill she loves.

Jermaine Hamilton, Youth Police in Partnership, received the baton of community service at an early age, and he has never stopped running. His work as a youth coordinator, an actor, and a mentor is driven by his desire to inspire his peers to change their minds and their lives.

Alicia Mooltrey, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative & GOTCHA, lives in the “we.” As student and community activists, she works at the grassroots every day, serving as a passionate organizer, role model, advocate, counselor and developer of youth.

Daniel Rivers, Nexus Alliance, has distinguished himself as a leader in his professional, family, and volunteer life.  The Nexus Alliance – a bold new vision of collective achievement for community good - has raised the bar for black men and community potential in Boston.

Teresa Rodriguez, Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, opens doors for students and their families every day. With a strong work ethic and the assumption that all problems can be solved with generosity and intelligence, she helps hundreds of students find the right high school and succeed in academics and life.

The donor of these cash awards remains anonymous. Over the past 20 years, more than $2.5 million has been given to 123 outstanding Bostonians