State program helps minorities enter into government service

LYNN – Although she has always been active in the local community, Lynn School Committee member Maria Carrasco said there was a time when she was far from comfortable with the workings of state and local government, and had no idea how to advocate for issues that were important to her.In 2006, as she was gearing up for what turned out to be an historic run for School Committee, Carrasco took part in the Commonwealth Seminar, a two-month educational program designed to help minorities and immigrants understand the workings of state government, something she credits with helping boost her confidence heading into her campaign.”It is teaching people how to use the State House, because a lot of people like me didn’t know,” she said. “The State House is not a secret to people, we should feel comfortable going in there and walking around. This teaches you where you have to go if you want to advocate for something or where to get started.”Now in its sixth year, the program churned out another 48 graduates this week, who join Carrasco, Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon and Lexington School Committee member Ravi Sakhuja, among other successful politicians.”It is different people from the state telling you how to advocate for your community,” said Carrasco. “They are teaching students how to be prepared to run for office or how to advocate for different things.”The seminar began in fall 2003 as the brainchild of former state Sen. Jarrett Barrios and Joel Barrera, deputy director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. It began with a $45,000 seed grant from The Boston Foundation and has continued on a budget of about $100,000 a year from various other non-profits, including Access Strategies, the Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, the Foley Hoag Foundation and the Ansara Family Foundation.The program includes six weekly three-hour sessions that give attendees a crash course in understanding the state budget, understanding the legislative process and working with the press, among other lessons. Students get lectures from seasoned lobbyists as well as journalists and agency spokespeople.Carrasco, a native of the Dominican Republic, graduated the program in 2006 and embarked on her first run at the Lynn School Committee, eventually beating out Charlie Gallo for the sixth and final seat in November 2007.Carrasco said she still supports the program and makes an attempt each year to get to the State House for a visit while it is going on, but says it is difficult because her job requires her to work days.With all five of her colleagues running as incumbents this year and three challengers stepping into the fray, Carrasco will have her hands full in her first re-election bid this fall, but without the Commonwealth Seminar, Carrasco may have never acquired the skills and confidence needed to make even her first attempt at the board.”What it does is it gives you preparation,” she said. “It also gives you an opportunity to learn more – to learn more about your cities and how they work.”