Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed two new liaisons for Boston's Mattapan and East Boston neighborhoods, bringing in Asiah Wotring and Roberto Gomez to foster stronger community bonds and ensure residents' access to city services. According to a city's recent announcement, the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) plays a crucial role in linking the communities with vital resources, and Wu believes these new additions will make substantial contributions to their respective areas.
Wotring, a Boston resident since 2017, is no stranger to community engagement. With a background in government and early childhood education, she now steps into the role previously held by Eric James, who moved on to the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency. Wotring mentioned, "I look forward to learning from the intergenerational neighborhood leaders of Mattapan to be an ally and uplift the youth in the neighborhood," in a statement by the City of Boston. She will be capitalizing on her experience as a Boston 311 call taker to serve Mattapan's constituents more efficiently.
On the other side of the city, Gomez will be engaging with the residents of East Boston. Previously involved with Eastie Farm and recognized for his efforts with the Zumix Luminary award, Gomez aims to tackle food insecurity and environmental issues. Gomez stated in an interview, "I am excited to listen to the diverse communities in East Boston and learn more about their varied needs and goals." His background, hailing from Laredo, Texas, and as a child of Mexican immigrants, positions him to uniquely understand and address the needs of East Boston's multifaceted population, as mentioned in the City of Boston.
The Executive Director of ONS, Beata Coloyan, underscored the strong ties both Gomez and Wotring have to their communities, citing their passion and leadership skills as key for enhancing community engagement. Residents can meet and collaborate with their neighborhood liaisons at weekly coffee hours every Friday to discuss concerns and learn how to navigate city services. "Asiah and Roberto are two passionate leaders with strong connections to the neighborhoods they serve," Coloyan told the City of Boston's news outlet, commending their previous work and future roles in the community.
For those wanting to report non-emergency issues, Boston's ONS encourages the use of BOS:311, which can be accessed by dialing 3-1-1 or through the dedicated mobile applications available on iOS and Android platforms. This service streamlines residents' requests and ensures timely responses from city departments. The Mayor's Office continues to prioritize citizen input and participation as a cornerstone of local government engagement.
