Melrose Symphony's Opening Night, "iCater" with Pine Street Inn, and Boston's Housing "Report Card"

It's almost opening night for Season 105 at the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, the oldest continuously performing volunteer orchestra in the entire country! Conductor Yoichi Udagawa returns to the show to talk about their show on November 5th, which celebrates Black composers. Pine Street Inn is well known around the Boston area for the work they do to help those who are unhoused or otherwise in need of assistance to turn their lives around. One of the programs they offer is called iCater, which teaches people critical skills in the kitchen and hospitality to help them find work. Tai Irwin, Job Placement Specialist at Pine Street, joins Renee Jones, who's working through the program, to talk about the experience and the benefits of that knowledge. The Boston Foundation is out with a new study on housing vacancy in Greater Boston, and the "Report Card" finds what many Bostonians already are well aware of - housing is slim, and what is available is very expensive. Luc Schuster, Executive Director of Boston Indicators, talks with Nichole about the findings, the impact on equity for low income families and families of color, and what can be done to turn this trend around.

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