The Mission: The Boston Scientology Ministry is located at 1783 Washington Street in Lower Roxbury and provides free service to the Boston community that reduces the crime and violence of the area by handling the factors that underlie it. Examples of such programs are the Reading and Study Skills project, The UNITED Youth for Human Rights Program and the non-violence program called The Way to Happiness. For more information on the Ministry call (617) 927-2247.

"The Boston Scientology Volunteer Ministry was started by the Rev. Robert Castagna in response to: 'The dire need for effective services to assist in stemming the tide of crime and violence in the city.'

"Inside, three tutors help five kids with their homework assignments. Castagna oversees the day's tutoring sessions, frequently checking in with the kids and listening to them read aloud. In the back of the room, a tutor named Cheryl helps two adult women who recently obtained United States citizenship to improve their reading and language skills.

"The Volunteer Ministry's Reading and Study Skills program tutors approximately 15 community members per week and occasionally assists with local after-school programs.

"On its shelves, the Ministry stocks popular children's books "Gulliver's Travels" and "Green Eggs and Ham" along with curriculum and study guides. Castagna says that the children are assigned books based upon their reading level.

"L. Ron Hubbard is not completely absent from the student's studies, however. Part of the Ministry's curriculum uses "Grammar and Communication" and "How to Use a Dictionary", tutorial-style children's books complete with illustrations also based upon Hubbard's study technology.

"'Confusions and misunderstandings on the page can escalate to misunderstandings and blood on the streets,' Castagna said."

BostonNOW newspaper, June 11, 2007 

For volunteer information regarding the Boston Scientology Ministry:

Description:
The Boston Scientology Ministry is sponsored by the parishioners of the Church of Scientology of Boston and provides a free community center to the inner-city of Boston. The ministry is open to people of all ages and seeks to empower the individual through literacy, morals and other services. The ministry also assists other agencies in setting up literacy and non-violence programs by providing materials and training.

The center is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00, and by special appointment. One-on-one tutoring is offered to assist those individuals who are having difficulty with their schooling and a complete phonics program is available to those in need of improved reading skills. Programs are available to the public that provide parenting and community service skills. Such programs include the "How to Reduce the Violence with Effective Education" program. This program is also available for presentations at other agencies.

History:
The Boston Scientology Ministry was established by Rev. Robert Castagna in the summer of 2004 to assist the community in reducing crime and violence. The Volunteer Minister program was originally created by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology in the mid 1970's. Mr. Hubbard concluded that crime was rising in direct proportion to the decline of religious influence in society and thereby developed the Volunteer Minister movement as a means of providing practical assistance to those in need. The ministry's programs are available to the citizens of Dorchester and the surrounding area free of charge and regardless of race, color or creed.

Jermal learning how to use the dictionary at the Reading and Study Skills Project