Allston
One of Boston’s most diverse and active neighborhoods.
Allston is close to many colleges and universities in and around the City, so it’s know for its student population. But, in recent years, many immigrants and young professionals have moved to the area.
Neighborhood Contact
ContactFrank Mendoza
Deputy Director
Francis Mendoza will take over the role of Allston-Brighton liaison. He was born and raised in Connecticut, and moved to Allston to attend Boston University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in International Relations. While there, he worked in the community as an emergency medical technician and as a tutor to non-native English speakers through the Boston University Intergenerational Literacy Program. Mendoza went on to serve as a two-time U.S. Senate intern and was then hired as a legislative aide at the Massachusetts State House. As the son of a Mexican immigrant and an Irish-American public school teacher, Mendoza has always cherished service, inclusion, and equity, and is passionate about policy and constituent services. He fell in love with Allston-Brighton and its vibrant community and is thrilled to be able to serve his adopted home.
In his free time, Mendoza works towards his goal of visiting every Boston park, while birdwatching and identifying their plants. He particularly enjoys collecting Star Wars LEGOs, listening to music, watching historical documentaries, cooking, and playing Dungeons and Dragons every Thursday with his friends.
Frank Mendoza is the Deputy Director for Neighborhoods: Allston-Brighton, Charlestown, South Boston, West Roxbury, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, and Mission Hill.
Jennifer roberts
Allston Liaison
Jennifer Roberts was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Despite having deep hometown pride, she’s thrilled to have been adopted by the city of Boston. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts, Jennifer has called Boston home for over a decade and currently resides in Allston-Brighton. She began her career supporting international students and non-native English speakers at organizations such as Education First, English Language Center, Pine Manor College, and Boston University—work that deepened her commitment to inclusion, cultural exchange, and accessible education.
Jennifer later transitioned into civic and community engagement, most recently serving as Student Engagement Lead at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. In that role she developed interdisciplinary learning experiences, designed cross-Institute events and programming, and helped launch a new student-centered third space at Radcliffe. Jennifer’s approach consistently centers on equity, collaboration, and cultivating meaningful communities.
In addition to her work in constituent services, Jennifer is a professional dancer, collaborative artist, and arts coordinator. She has performed at venues including the Boston Center for the Arts, Harvard ArtLab, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and remains an active member of the city’s vibrant arts community.
When she’s not working or dancing, Jennifer can be found enjoying good food, good fiction, or a good nap.
About the neighborhood
Allston is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Boston. You can find ethnic restaurants and popular watering holes on main streets like:
- Harvard Avenue
- Commonwealth Avenue, and
- Brighton Avenue.
The Honan-Allston branch public library was named after Boston City Councilor Brian Honan. It holds a wealth of information and is a resource for the community.