Lisa Owens, the executive director of City Life/Vida Urbana, inspires the crowd at the organization’s 45th birthday celebration.
Housing justice organizers and supporters of City Life/Vida Urbana (left to right) Sarah Koolsbergen, George Lee, Betsaida Gutierrez, and Carolyn Lomax celebrated at City Life’s 45th anniversary party.
Gail Appling and Andres Del Castillo MC’d City Life/Vida Urbana’s 45th anniversary celebration.
Courtesy Photos
City Life/Vida Urbana, a Jamaica Plain-based housing justice organization, held its 45th anniversary celebration May 19 at the Melkite Cathedral. More than 250 people attended the event, which was called “Uprise.” “We are really proud to both be fighting in the short term to make sure that everybody that walks through our doors has a shot at staying in their homes, but we’re also building for the new,” said Lisa Owens, executive director of City Life/Vida Urbana. “We’re building a movement – with all of our allies across the city and across the country – for things like Community Land Trusts, that provide permanent affordability and the highest level of community control.”