A beacon of community
Standing next to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Charlesview Apartments at Brighton Mills in Allston Friday, Angela Holm drew on her childhood memories of the community. “I grew up in Charlesview, and it was my entire world,” said Holm, now a neighborhood coordinator in the mayor’s office. “I went to church every Sunday at Hill Memorial Baptist Church, took swimming lessons at the West End House, went to summer camp at Harvard Stadium and Girl Scout meetings at St. Anthony’s, and watched my friends play little league at Smith Park.” Holm said that sense of belonging and community in the old Charlesview Apartments was “the essence” of what brought elected officials, Harvard leadership, community leaders, and Charlesview representatives and residents together for the ceremony. “The new Charlesview Residences will serve as an anchor for this community, with the diversity of residents...