Local Initiatives
Since its inception in 1998, GBIO has initiated local actions around the concerns of its members.  Hundreds of leaders have been trained and have had the opportunity to put their leadership skills into action by improving their neighborhoods and daily lives. 

These victories include the following:
  • In 2000, GBIO organized successfully to win inclusionary zoning ordinances in Newton and Quincy, ensuring that new housing would be available to low and moderate income families.
  • In 2002, GBIO leaders discovered that many of their children in Boston Pubic Schools had no textbooks to bring home at night.  Leaders from across the city came together and worked with Mayor Menino and the school committee to secure more funding for textbooks.  GBIO leaders won $2 million in funding for textbooks so that their children could have the basic resources necessary for a quality education.
  • At St. Peter Parish in Dorchester, parents grew tired of the fact that their children had no access to after-school programs.  GBIO leaders from the parish came together, and working with Catholic Charities, created the St. Peter Teen Center.
  • In 2008, GBIO worked with a group of youth from Fourth Presbyterian Church  in South Boston who were fearful to walk at night in their neighborhood.  The youth identified lighting at the Old Colony Housing project as a priority. GBIO worked with these young people to help them devise and execute a campaign to get the 50+ lights that were out turned back on.