Mission & Vision

Mission

DRIVE Boston (Dedication, Resources, Initiative, Vision, and Energy) supports neighborhoods and communities impacted by violence and incarceration by providing information, and resources to individuals that are not successfully engaged by traditional institutions, to strengthen, empower and improve their quality of life.

Vision

DRIVE Boston is a nonprofit organization founded to act as a hub for issued based organizations who provide resources and opportunities identified to support the Greater Boston Community. We are fully committed to exposing opportunities to further the compressive development of all within the community.

Advocacy

Our advocacy takes many forms, including speaking out at the municipal, state, and federal levels to provide a voice and resources to communities who are the most impacted by systematic oppression. 

In order to strengthen and preserve vital resources for our neighborhoods and communities, DRIVE Boston advocates and at times mobilizes to ensure access to:

  • Basic needs like medicine, clothing, and hygiene products to ensure quality of life
  • Affordable, quality health care
  • Affordable, healthy food
  • Affordable, quality housing
  • Public safety that prioritizes public health, mitigates trauma, and affirms that Black Lives Matter
  • Quality public services including education
  • Career training

Our Story

In 2008, Darrin Howell, co-founder and president, acted on his passionate belief that every child should have an enjoyable and fun holiday season. Darrin recognized the value in the relationships he developed through his years in the field of public service, and initiated an effort with the support of various community stakeholders to provide a holiday event for families impacted by incarceration and community violence in the Greater Boston area.

Over the years, as the event continued to grow, Darrin noticed an opportunity to provide resources to participants that would benefit them year-round – not just once a year. The network he had developed throughout his years as a community and political organizer was the perfect network for the families he served. And with that, DRIVE Boston was born.

DRIVE Boston Community Resources Inc was officially launched in 2020 as a nonprofit organization acting as a hub for issue-based organizations that identify and provide resources and opportunities for families in the Greater Boston community. Our goal is to continue finding and meeting the needs of our community, so both children and parents can regain hope for their futures.

Our Founder

Darrin D. Howell

Darrin moved out of his parents’ house at age 17. Grounded with a good work ethic, he maintained employment in various corporate settings, including a financial institution, an insurance agency, and a medical center. He began attending college, completing three semesters at Katherine Gibbs Boston.

Yet, Darrin also felt the pull of the streets. At age 21, he was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm, and sentenced to a year in jail.

Before serving time, Darrin had no long-term aspirations. Like many young men in our community, his goal was to simply survive. Once in jail and locked in a cell for nearly 23 hours a day, Darrin deeply reflected on his life and his goals. He realized he needed to turn his life around and start giving back to the community.

Darrin D. Howell

When Darrin was released from the Suffolk County House of Corrections, he was given five dollars and told not to come back. He hadn’t been provided any resources for finding employment or for transitioning back into the community.

Darrin took initiative and sought gainful employment on his own. He registered with over 200 staffing and temporary employment agencies. Yet, because of his CORI, he faced extraordinary challenges. At one job, Darrin was offered a permanent position after a two-week temporary assignment. He informed his employers of his CORI. His employers proceeded to have him train someone in the work he was doing and, when it was clear that the person trained was competent in doing the job, fired Darrin and hired the person he had trained.

Confused and frustrated, Darrin was encouraged to call Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner for advice. Councilor Turner set up a meeting with Darrin and, after seeing his drive and self-motivation, offered him a position on his staff as Director of Constituent Services. At Councilor Turner’s office, Darrin was the first point of contact for constituents facing employment discrimination, foreclosures, navigating city government, and responding to neighborhood violence. There he learned how various resources, programs, services, and agencies could assist residents with the issues that they were experiencing.

Darrin has mentored at-risk youth, helping to steer them away from crime and toward positive activities. He has been considered an expert on violence prevention, leading a number of initiatives to reduce crime and recidivism. Darrin authored a report examining 20 years of homicides throughout the city of Boston, and spearheaded programs to bring together victims and perpetrators of violence to create “ambassadors of peace.”

Darrin was unsuccessful at his attempt for elected office in 2010 but because of his journey he has become a recognizable community leader and role model for youth growing up in urban cities.

Darrin continues through his work and his activism participating in various protests, demonstrations, and rallies around social and economic injustice issues. Darrin graduated from the 2014 Congressional Black Caucus Political Boot Camp program and has worked on several electoral campaigns for progressive candidates and progressive issues locally and nationally.

Darrin has been able to apply his own life lessons to others facing the same struggles. Darrin deeply and personally understands the struggles our communities face. He is a natural leader and brings people together to overcome challenges.

Our Executive Board of Directors

Darrin D. Howell, Founder & Board President

Emily DosSantos, Treasurer

Mel Rivera, Clerk

Dorothy Howell, Director

Tyrek Lee Sr., Director

Lorraine Fowlkes, Director