On the City Council, Ayesha…
Worked towards expanding Cambridge’s universal preschool program, which provides free preschool programming for Cambridge all four-year-olds and priority three-year-olds
As co-chair of Human Services & Veterans Committee, worked towards multifamily housing zoning. While there was an overwhelming community support for 3+3 zoning to create the most affordable housing possible in Cambridge, Ayesha was still happy to support and pass 4+2 zoning and end single-family zoning.
Reaffirmed Cambridge’s status as a sanctuary city for all vulnerable people.
“[Hate] is not the Cambridge way. We should be doing better. We have that responsibility to model that across our city.”
As a former school committee member and after-school teacher, supported a yes vote on ballot question two, allowing school districts to establish their own graduation requirements in place of MCAS.
As Chair of Public Safety, helped the City Council unanimously adopt a policy order requesting that the City Manager issue a report on how to educate residents about roadway rules and safety, while also noting the challenges that the high tourist population of Cambridge raises.
Introduced a policy order to address racial and gender disparities in City contracting and procurement.
Ayesha’s Continued Vision for City Council includes:
Affordable Housing
As lifelong Cambridge resident, who grew up in the Jefferson Park housing development, was a Section 8 voucher holder, and work with youth and families of Cambridge Housing Authority, Ayesha knows firsthand the various challenges facing housing amongst my family, friends, neighbors and many more who live in either low income housing or those living in a middle to moderate income housing or those like myself, a single-parent, middle income, who cannot afford childcare and housing in Cambridge. On the City Council, Ayesha will center the voices of those who are faced to make the decision to leave Cambridge because they can no longer afford to live here.
Universal Afterschool
Centering equity requires that we take a bold approach to programs being offered throughout Cambridge. Our scholars must have a safe space where they are able to, at an even younger age. After passing universal preschool for all four-year-olds and some three-year-olds, Ayesha hopes to reduce the age to two and get even more young people in sooner into this programming.
Mental Health Services For All
Even before the pandemic we were seeing an uptick of mental health services across the lifespan of our neighbors. And sadly since Covid-19, the need for mental health services are so great, that service providing agencies have waitlists several months long. Ayesha knows we must invest in increasing our services to ensure all who need have access.
Support and Protect our Seniors
Our seniors are being targeted, neglected, and abused. Ayesha knows that we must create ways of providing wellness checks and implement a safety crisis line for our seniors.
Climate Justice Educational Campaign
As a new mom, Ayesha knows we must do the work to protect our planet for the generations to come. Part of that is the need to educate all about climate change and climate justice.
While on the School Committee, Ayesha...
Advocated for more social workers in both budget cycles, helping add nine new social workers to CPSD.
With School Committee member Rachel Weinstein, co-wrote policy to make racial equity a top priority for CPSD. This resolution drove investment in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and shaped the district’s new antiracist vision and mission statements.
Chaired the Special Education and Student Supports Subcommittee, working to meet the learning and COVID-19 safety needs of every Cambridge student.
Advocated for a k-12 mental health curriculum
Worked closely on the implementation of Universal Preschool for SY 2024-2025