Two thirds of Massachusetts may live and work in the Greater Boston area, but there’s plenty to love for young families beyond the city limits, too. Towns all around the state boast progressive schools and the economy’s about as stable as it gets – on the whole, the state’s maintained one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Young families continue to thrive here, and NerdWallet sought to answer why. So, we asked the following questions as we tried to identify the best towns in the state for raising kids: Does the town have good public schools? We compiled scores from GreatSchools, Continue reading >>>

Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston is pleased to recognize hospice aide John Butler of Marblehead during the 36th annual celebration of National Assistant Nursing Week in June. “Our hospice aides are loved by patients and families for the tender loving care they provide,” said Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston President Diane Stringer. “We are grateful to all our hospice aides for their hard work, loyalty and invaluable support they provide to each patient and family they serve. They are the unsung heroes of hospice care.” Celebrating 35 years Continue reading >>>

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston will offer a new training program for those interested in volunteering for the nonprofit organization. Hospice volunteers can do many things: hold a hand, read a book, share memories, welcome visitors at the Kaplan Family Hospice House or provide clerical office assistance. A variety of flexible volunteer opportunities are available, and because there are so many ways to serve, volunteers have a choice of how to use their skills. The training will be held at 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Continue reading >>>

To ensure that fewer children and teens go hungry this summer, the YMCA of Greater Boston is offering a free Summer Food Program at many of its branches that span from Boston to Waltham, as well as sponsoring additional sites at neighboring community centers for areas in need. The Summer Food Program is made possible thanks to a $70,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation. Combining food and fun, the program will provide nutritious meals and snacks, plus activities to keep children’s minds and bodies active. The YMCA of Greater Boston’s Waltham branch will serve as a Continue reading >>>

A summary of personnel moves, events, accomplishments and awards in Greater Boston’s real estate community. Katherine McKnight has been named sales manager of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Salem. She will manage 20 sales associates in several North Shore offfices. A member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, McKnight replaces Anne Pardee Continue reading >>>

Submitted by Citizens Bank   BOSTON – Citizens Bank and the Citizens Bank Foundation are awarding grants totaling $275,000 in support of workforce development and youth summer jobs programs. The grants will help five community organizations in Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts. Through its Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities initiative, Citizens is awarding grants to The Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), the Boys Girls Clubs of Boston, Roca, Inc., and YMCA of Greater Boston. The Continue reading >>>

Director Sofia Coppolla's new film, "The Bling Ring," follows a pack of Los Angeles teenagers dying to look and live like Hollywood celebrities, so much so that they break into their homes and steal their clothes, shoes, jewelry and bags. They wear their swag at nightclubs and, once they're caught by police, seemingly even to court.  The movie is based on a real teenage enterprise and criticizes the worship of celebrity life, which actress Katie Chang, who plays the ringleader, says she occasionally finds herself doing.  Coppolla's presentation of Paris Continue reading >>>

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff Citizens Bank and the Citizens Bank Foundation said they are awarding grants totaling $275,000 to support workforce development and youth summer jobs programs to community organizations in Boston and Springfield. Citizens said it is awarding grants to the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Boston Private Industry Council, the Boys Girls Clubs of Boston, Roca Inc., and YMCA of Greater Boston. “Citizens Bank understands the value of investing in tomorrow’s workforce today by providing youth and adults with the opportunity to become Continue reading >>>

Leslie Walker, the executive director of Prisoners' Legal Services, and José Bou, who served 10 years in prison before becoming a youth outreach worker, talked with Emily Rooney on Greater Boston about some of the problems associated with solitary confinement.  Massachusetts allows the Department of Corrections to put a prisoner in solitary confinement for up to 10 years for disciplinary infractions. Prisoners tend to end up in solitary confinement for fighting. Once there, they remain alone in their cell for 23 hours a day, with usually just a pen and pad Continue reading >>>

By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent The YMCA of Greater Boston will provide free meals and snacks for children and teenagers this summer at about 20 sites across Boston and in neighboring communities, the organization announced. The Summer Food Program will offer nutritious food at more than 10 YMCA sites as well as other community gathering places, including seven different locations in East Boston. Anyone 18 or under is eligible for the program, which will run from June 24 to Aug. 30. In a statement, Kevin Washington, YMCA of Greater Boston president and CEO, said the program will address Continue reading >>>