Mental Illness, Homelessness, and the Struggle for Care on Boston’s Streets: An Evening with Dr. Jim O’Connell (Main)
What happens when mental illness meets homelessness and there’s nowhere to turn? What does healthcare look like when you’re sleeping outside, alone, and invisible?
Join NAMI Cambridge/Middlesex and the Cambridge Public Library for an unflinching look at healthcare on the margins as Dr. Jim O’Connell, founding physician and President of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) shares stories, insights, and hard truths from a lifetime spent caring for patients—not in pristine clinics but in shelters, on sidewalks, and under bridges.
Moderated by Dr. Rich Parker, this one-night event will explore the barriers so many in our community face when mental illness goes untreated, housing is out of reach, and support feels out of sight. Cosponsored by Cambridge Public Library.
Registration is required.
Celebrating a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving Holiday: Tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department
With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, please keep in mind that the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community is to celebrate with the members of your household. If, however you do plan to gather with others outside of your household, please review the current state orders and follow the recommendations below from the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Rise Up Cambridge
Rise Up Cambridge was a $22 million commitment from the City of Cambridge to provide assistance to families with kids.
Foundry Advisory Committee Vacancy
The Foundry Advisory Committee (FAC) serves in an advisory capacity to the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA), to help ensure that the Foundry building’s redevelopment and ongoing operation remains consistent with the Vision and Objectives established in the Demonstration Plan that grew out of an extensive community planning process.
Mad Science: Radical Robots (Central Square)
Celebrate Jasmine Warga's A Rover's Story with Mad Science's Radical Robots Workshop! Explore a world of robots and try your hand at building your own in this hour-long workshop. Recommended for children ages 5 and up. Registration is required. Please register all attending children (adults do not need to register).
This event is part of a special series promoting our 2026 Curious George Lecture (CGL) with Jasmine Warga, award-winning author of A Rover's Story, Other Words for Home, and many other popular children's books. Funding is generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
Kick Back and do a Puzzle! (Central Square)
Drop by the Central Square Branch's Lewis Room to do jigsaw puzzles and chat with your neighbors. Puzzles and snacks will be provided.
No registration required.
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.