Join MPDC for the Pick-Up Basket Ball
on May 17th!
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Madison Park Development Corporation is thrilled to invite you to join us in celebrating
The Dewitt Center’s fifth anniversary!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023
6:30 PM TO 9:00 PM
THE DEWITT CENTER
122 DEWITT DRIVE
ROXBURY, MA 02119
This beautiful community space in the heart of Madison Park Village, where MPDC’s earliest housing was built, has quickly become an irreplaceable part of the neighborhood. Its unique model has allowed dozens of program partners, many led by local leaders of color, to provide critically needed enrichment, mentoring, education, and recreation programming for hundreds of children and youth at The Dewitt Center at no cost to program partners.
In its first five years, The Dewitt Center has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, difficult economic conditions, and a significant overall increase in community need in Roxbury and beyond. Through all of these challenges, The Dewitt Center has remained exceptionally nimble and responsive, stepping up to meet these community needs even as the center had to shut its doors to in-person programming in 2020.
The strong foundation the center laid during its first year and a half, during which it established robust community partnerships, provided programming to hundreds of children, youth, and older adults, and attracted more than 3,000 visitors through education, training, and community-building events, allowed the center to make a seamless transition back to fully in-person activities in 2022. In addition to health and wellness offerings and providing technology access, the center has become a civic haven, symbolically and literally, even becoming a polling location in 2020.
Now celebrating this important anniversary milestone, we are so pleased to invite our partners, stakeholders, and donors back to The Dewitt Center, and we look forward to highlighting the center’s resources, programming, and assets, including the beautiful gallery showcasing talented local artists of color, for both longstanding and new supporters.
We invite all of you to join us as we reintroduce and celebrate this vibrant community space!
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An amazing April for
MPDC's Real Estate Team!
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The project has seen the redevelopment of 316 apartments and substantial new commercial space, creating a mixed-income, mixed-use site. The project's significance was not lost on those who spoke at the celebration, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Mayor Michelle Wu.
The celebration also marked the groundbreaking for Phase 3 of the development, including an additional 172 homes and 9,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial retail and shared community space. This project phase was made possible thanks to a $30 million federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant awarded by the Obama Administration.
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MPDC and Trinity Financial have received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeal for the redevelopment of Parcel 10 at 2085 Washington Street. The project marks the third and final phase of the redevelopment plan and will feature a new 10-story building with 64 rental and 32 homeownership units, along with a public plaza and artist spaces.
MPDC is grateful to everyone who spoke up in support of the project and recognizes that this milestone results from a collaborative effort among the community!
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The Real Estate team at MPDC has been expanding! The team is behind several critical projects, including Madison Park Next Door, MPDC's homeownership program. The RE Team recently took a tour of Madison Park Village.
Together, the team brings a wealth of experience and expertise to MPDC's real estate projects. MPDC is thrilled to have such a talented and dedicated Real Estate team!
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MPDC'S 2023 Scholarship Program |
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MPDC's Scholarship Program is BACK for 2023 and will award $50,000 in scholarships to fund educational pursuits for those graduating in Spring/Summer of 2023!
Application Deadline: June 16th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
For more information about MPDC’s Scholarship Program, please email Youth Workforce Manager Yhinny Matos or call 617.849.6236.
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April updates from Hibernian Hall |
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The nominations include Outstanding Production, Outstanding Lead Performance by Anthony T Goss, Outstanding Featured Performance by Johnnie Mack, Outstanding Director by Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Outstanding Scenic Design by Jon Savage, Outstanding Sound Design by Dewey Dellay and Abe Joyner-Meyers, and Outstanding Ensemble.
Congratulations to all of the nominees!
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MPDC and Hibernian Hall are thrilled to announce the success of 'Roxbury Roots,' an event celebrating the African Oral Tradition of storytelling. The event, held on April 22nd, featured stories on the theme of 'family' from community leaders in Roxbury and beyond.
Roxbury Roots is an opportunity for community members to come together, learn, and connect. Attendees enjoyed delicious food while listening to stories that highlighted the unique experiences and perspectives of Roxbury residents. The event provides a platform for people to share their stories and for others to learn from them.
The success of Roxbury Roots is a testament to the power of storytelling and the value of community connections. MPDC and Hibernian Hall look forward to continuing to host events like this that bring people together and celebrate the unique and diverse perspectives of Roxbury residents!
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"An Evening in Ghana," hosted at Hibernian Hall on April 30th, was an immersive event that brought the vibrant culture of Ghana to life. The evening was inspired by artist Cornell Coley's travels to Ghana and featured a multimedia presentation by Cornell, a sampler of Ghanaian food, a Ghana-inspired photo exhibit from artist Reginald L. Jackson, and live music from the West African drumming group "The Akwaaba Ensemble." The event was fully sold out, indicating the excitement and interest in celebrating the cultural richness of Ghana.
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Spend the Summer with
MPDC's Youth Workforce Team
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Join MPDC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) today!
SYEP provides underserved in-school youth, ages 14-19, with career internships, job readiness skills, and educational enrichment. SYEP is intended to provide early workforce experience for young people who might not otherwise have this opportunity while supporting them with completing academics and college readiness.
Application deadline: June 2nd, 2023
For more information about MPDC’s SYEP, please email Yhinny Matos, Youth Workforce Manager.
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OEP visits Boston Children's Hospital |
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MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program (OEP) is proud to celebrate the OEP's Boston Children's Hospital Food Service Program participants. These hard-working youth have been attending professional development workshops and earned their ServSafe certification. On a recent visit to Boston Children's Hospital, they toured the dining facility with Ming Cheung, Director of Operations/Area General Manager of Food Services.
During the tour, the participants were shown the retail facilities and the hospital's award-winning kitchen facilities, which won Best Services nine years in a row.
OEP program participants celebrated graduating from the program on April 27th. Upon graduation, they will have the option to join the Boston Children's Hospital team, which includes two previous OEP participants!
Congratulations!
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The Dewitt Center had a awesome April! |
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The Dewitt Center hosted another successful Senior Bingo event in April. Approximately 20 residents attended this month's event, creating a great environment filled with socialization, friendly competition, and community among MPDC residents.
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The Returning Citizens Provider Training brought together guests, speakers, and panelists to provide the Black community with access to resources and support for returning citizens.
The panel discussion focused on assisting returning citizens and provided valuable insights into how the community can come together to support and empower those who are returning to society after incarceration. A representative from the Black Lives Matter movement also shared his personal story and offered advice on how the Black community can become more unified.
Representative Nika Elugardo moderated the panel, with Representative Chynah Tyler being one of the panelist speakers. Representative Tyler spoke about her role as a resource and advocate for people from Roxbury and predominantly Black communities in Boston. She emphasized how ideas and plans from members within these communities can bring about great positive change and improvement for their communities.
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The Dewitt Center hosted a job fair organized by the Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), the developer of Whittier Phase III. The job fair was for community members to discover potential job opportunities, connect with local unions, and learn how they can contribute to the development of Whittier Phase III.
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A Master Chef at MPDC's Meal Prep and Participation Class |
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MPDC's latest Meal Prep & Participation (MPP) class welcomed Master Chef Jason Wang!
Chef Wang brought his cooking mastery to the MPP class, providing participants with a tasty recipe made in three different ways - hot, cold, and spicy. The new cooking experience shared in the class was excellent, and participants raved about how inexpensive the ingredients were and where they could be found within walking distance of a supermarket.
If you missed this MPP class in May, don't worry - another series will take place in August 2023. MPDC encourages all community members to join us for this exciting and informative class.
For more information on the MPP class, community gardening, supermarket tours, or nutrition education, please contact Leslie Stafford, Health Equity and Wellness Manager at lstafford@madison-park.org.
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Thank you to MPDC's April 2023 Newsletter Contributors |
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Carlos Taveras
Erica Davis
Haris Lefteri
Intiya Ambrogi-Isaza
Josh McLinden
Kelly Lydon
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS |
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Resident Association Meetings for Madison Park Village are held monthly on Tuesdays.
June 13th
July 11th
August 8th
September 12th
Please join us at The Dewitt Center (122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury) from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
If a meeting is rescheduled, it will be the following Tuesday.
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MPDC x IMSO
Food Pantry @ The Dewitt Center
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WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd THURSDAY of each month
1:30 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)
The Dewitt Center and the Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO) host monthly food pantries. Canned goods, fruit, pasta, spaghetti, and more will be available for pickup! Supplies are limited.
For more information, please contact IMSO at
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Roxbury Main Streets'
The 'Bury Funny Stand Up Comedy Fundraiser
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WHEN: Saturday, May 13th
8:00 pm
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
The 'Bury Funny Stand-Up Comedy Fundraiser brings hilarious comedians to Boston for a great cause.
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The Greater Roxbury Book Fair |
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WHEN: Saturday, May 20th
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Roxbury Branch Library Plaza
149 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA
The Greater Roxbury Book Fair’s first annual event celebrates the love and passion the Roxbury community has for books and reading. This event will connect books and readers – and authors and artists – in the Greater Roxbury area and beyond and inspire new excitement amongst readers.
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Tai-Chi for Fall Prevention |
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WHEN: Monday, April 17th to June 14th
10:00 am to 11:00 am
WHERE: 207 Dudley Street
2nd Floor Community Room
Roxbury, MA
Call to register 617.238.2318.
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WHEN: Thursday, May 25th
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
WHERE: Great Hall at The Massachusetts State House
(24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133)
MPDC's Lobby Day, in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, on Thursday, May 25th, will be a time to connect with colleagues, hear from legislative champions and community development leaders, and advocate for critical community development, housing equity, and economic empowerment issues.
We hope you will join us!
To help you prepare for your advocacy, MACDC is offering two identical Advocacy 101 sessions prior to lobby day to go over the details of our advocacy agenda and to answer any advocacy questions you may have.
Session 1: Tuesday, May 16th @ 12 pm
Session 2: Thursday, May 18th, @ 9:30 am
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MPDC's AYEP & OYEP Closeout Celebration |
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WHEN: Thursday, May 25th
4:30 pm to 7 pm
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
Join MPDC to celebrate the accomplishments of the MPDC interns in the After School Youth Employment Program (AYEP) and the Opportunity Youth Employment Program for this academic season!
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MPDC's Annual Garden Tea Party |
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WHEN: Saturday, June 3rd
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
WHERE: Hope Community Garden
(55 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury, MA)
Join MPDC for a fun-filled afternoon of activities, surprises, music, a ‘Create Your Own Smoothie’ contest, a prize for ‘Best Hat,’ and a Scavenger Hunt!
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MPDC is now accepting applications for the 2023 Garden Program |
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APPLICATIONS DUE: Thursday, June 1st, 2023
MPDC is now accepting applications for gardening at the
Hope Community Garden!
- The Garden opens in April
- All ages welcome
- Kids' Garden Club (2-18)
- Hope Garden Plots for kids and older adults
This program offers garden education and training, social connectivity, special events, home gardening, and other opportunities.
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