Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation

15/06/2026

Watch a Slideshow of the 2026 Rappaport Fellows Opening Reception:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/06/2026

08/06/2026

What does it mean to transform a personal immigration journey into a career of advocacy and public service?

In the latest episode of Rappaport Connects, we sit down with Gilberto Calderín, Director of Advocacy at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) and a 2023 Rappaport Public Policy Fellow, to discuss:

• His journey from Cuba to Massachusetts and the experiences that shaped his commitment to public service
• How immigration policy impacts families and communities across the Commonwealth
• The role of advocacy in advancing opportunity and inclusion
• Building coalitions to drive meaningful policy change
• Lessons learned from working in the office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
• How the Rappaport Public Policy Fellowship influenced his leadership and career path
• The future of immigration advocacy in Massachusetts

Watch this thoughtful conversation about leadership, service, and creating pathways for immigrant and refugee communities to thrive.

https://youtu.be/9S17zMGnGd0?si=6mdvWxDxb0kLzS-N

From Immigrant to Advocate: Gilberto Calderín's Journey of Service...

03/06/2026

Meet the 2026 Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy Fellows

Twelve students from Greater Boston law schools have been selected for a policy internship, including three from BC Law.

28/05/2026

Rappaport Urban Scholar & State Rep Andy Vargis is helping lead the push for ambitious housing legislation aimed at tackling ’ affordability crisis and expanding production statewide: https://ow.ly/ZZ0S50Z59aU

18/05/2026

Powerful story on WBZ’s “Change Makers” about Harvard Kennedy School student Giovanni Pintor, who turned personal tragedy into a mission to improve road safety around the world.

The story also highlights Professor Linda Bilmes and her Harvard Kennedy School Rappaport Applied Field Lab, where students are tackling real-world public policy challenges — including innovative approaches to safer roads and infrastructure in Massachusetts.

An inspiring example of how the Rappaport Applied Field Lab can drive meaningful change.

Giovanni Pintor life's work and focus are making roads, and specifically road design, safer.

15/05/2026

A first-generation college student in a Massachusetts Gateway City may only need one mentor to change the trajectory of their life and thrive in college.

The Valedictorian Project is recruiting mentors to support high-achieving MA students as they navigate college.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/7poS50Z0fiL

The Rappaport Foundation is a proud supporter of the The Valedictorian Project.

14/05/2026

The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy recently convened a discussion on “Reinvesting in Institutions,” examining the growing national debate around public trust, civic leadership, and the resilience of democratic institutions.

Alex Peña, Executive Vice President of the Partnership for New York City and a Rappaport Senior Fellow, joined leading scholars and practitioners in exploring how government, civic organizations, and public institutions can respond to rising polarization, declining confidence in public systems, and broader challenges to democratic governance.

The conversation underscored the essential role strong institutions play in sustaining civic life, advancing effective public leadership, and strengthening democratic society.

How systems can obscure our relationship to power.

27/04/2026

The Rappaport Center for Law & Public Policy at Boston College Law School was proud to host a forum bringing together candidates for Norfolk County District Attorney.

As highlighted in the Boston Herald, candidates discussed the need for reform in the DA’s office following recent high-profile cases and broader concerns about the justice system.

From restorative justice to public corruption and community trust, the conversation underscored the stakes of this election and the future direction of prosecution in Norfolk County.

Congrats to the Rappaport Center for continually providing a space for thoughtful, informed dialogue on critical public policy issues.

Read more:https://rappaportfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/archive.ph_.pdf

24/04/2026

What does war really cost—and how much of it do we actually account for?

In this WBUR On Point interview, Rappaport Applied Field Lab's Linda Bilmes brings a critical public policy lens to the true price of the Iran conflict—from immediate spending to long-term obligations like veterans’ care and debt.

“The costs of war don’t end when the fighting stops—they continue for decades.” Linda Bimes

A timely reminder that the fiscal impacts of war extend far beyond the headline numbers—and far into the future.

Listen here:

The U.S. has been spending up to $2 billion every day on the war with Iran. But that’s just military expenditure. What’s the real, long-term economic toll?