April 2019 @ MPDC
In case you missed it:
A Special Announcement from MPDC
MADISON PARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE; SEEKS NEW CEO

ROXBURY, MA.  - The Board of Directors of Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) announced on April 10, 2019 that Jeanne Pinado will step down as Chief Executive Officer after 21 years of leadership effective December 31, 2019. The board formed a search committee and has enlisted the services of Ann L Silverman Consulting  to help lead the work of identifying a new CEO .

Ivelise Rivera, MPDC’s Board President, said of the leadership transition, “It has been a privilege to have Jeanne as our CEO for two decades. She is a highly capable leader who has transformed MPDC from a small operation to a highly successful, multi-faceted organization. We have laid the groundwork for a smooth transition and the Board looks forward to new leadership as we begin the next chapter in MPDC’s history.”

“It’s with mixed emotions that I decided it was time to step down. I’ll miss the daily rhythm of the work and my amazing staff and colleagues but look forward to taking a year off to spend time with family and friends and think about what’s next. I have loved my role here and still love it. My team has accomplished so much from  developing and preserving hundreds of quality homes for families , to adding new Dudley Square businesses and jobs, to the rebirth of  Hibernian Hall  as an arts and cultural center to resident-driven programming in health & community wellness, civic engagement, and youth development. As a lover of the built environment, the opening of the new Dewitt Center  last year is a wonderful accomplishment. Serving the Roxbury community and the City of Boston has been the highlight of my professional career and I leave MPDC at a high point in its 53-year history and with a confidence that it will continue to build upon its success and promote the well-being of the community,” said Jeanne Pinado.
Aging: So cool everyone's doing it!
On Tuesday, April 23 , MPDC, Nuestra CDC , Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center , and Central Boston Elder Services hosted their annual Senior Resource Fair at Hibernian Hall . The fun & interactive fair featured local resources for the crowd of Roxbury senior residents in attendance. The Age Strong Commissioner, Emily Shea , and Mike Vance , CEO of Central Boston Elder Services, gave a warm welcome to attendees and offered encouraging words about aging in place in Boston . Guests explored activities & resources provided by vendors including Arbour Hospital , the Dana Farber Cancer Institute , and the Boston Home Center . Everyone at the event was able to participate in free memory screenings hosted by the Boston University Alzheimer’s Research Disease Center , play bingo , and learn some new self-care and fitness tips from F.I.T.T Pit .
As Emily Shea said, "Aging is so cool that everyone is doing it!"
An amazing April at The Dewitt Center
As The Dewitt Center nears its first birthday in July 2019, it is busier than ever with everything from mentorship (with  Francis O’Bryant Mentorship Program ) to martial arts (Temple of Martial Arts). We have lots of exciting programs , workshops , activities , and events planned at  The Dewitt Center   during April, May, and June as we gear up to #DoItAtTheDewitt this Summer.

Through June, we are looking forward to continuing programs such as  Collective Impact Open Gym  and welcoming new ones such as The R.A.D. Systems of Self Defense taught by the Bureau of Community Education. You can see a schedule of Dewitt Center programs & events  here  or   check out our latest catalog .

Interested in hosting a community event or program at The Dewitt Center? Fill out our inquiry form   here  or contact  Erica Davis  / 617.541.3900 for more information.
The Dewitt Center received a donation of 200 snack boxes that included healthy, shelf-stable snacks and nutrition education materials for Dewitt Center members. This donation was made in part of the “ One Million Acts of Good ” initiative created by Ellen DeGeneres & Cheerios. Throughout April, Dewitt Center program participants were able to enjoy these special treats!

A big thank you to Captain Holloway , David Isberg of Northeastern University City & Community Affairs , Northeastern University Dining Services , Ellen DeGeneres and Cheerios for making such a positive impact at The Dewitt Center!
Madison Park Village resident, Robin, hosted a paint birthday party for her niece, Danae. The creative celebration featured 1:1 art instruction from Kyia Watkins of At Peace Arts . Each party-goer left with their one of a kind masterpiece. Thank you, Danae, for celebrating your 13th birthday at the Dewitt Center! 

Interested in hosting an event at The Dewitt Center? Fill out our inquiry form  here  or contact  Erica Davis  / 617.541.3900 for more information.
On Saturday, April 13th close to 200 people attended the Mayor’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity's 'Fair Housing Open House' for Boston residents. The event provided constituents with the opportunity to learn about City and nonprofit services that address housing discrimination & affordable housing , and featured a panel discussion with compelling presentations from the City.
Also in April, The Dewitt Center welcomed student visitors from Brattleboro Union High School in Vermont. During their field trip to Roxbury, they took a self-guided tour through The Dewitt Center Art Gallery and enjoyed a presentation by gallery curator, Lolita Parker, Jr.


Interested in taking a tour of the gallery? Stop by The Dewitt Center Monday through Friday from 10 am to 8 pm or Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and take a self-guided tour with one of our handy ‘ Self Guided Tour Companions .’
As a part of the VIP (Village in Progress) initiative, The Dewitt Center & MPDC's Community Action Team hosted Movie Night on April 19th for the community. The purpose of MPDC Movie Nights is to offer families a chance to enjoy a free movie with their neighbors and continue to strengthen community bonds . Movie Night continues to be a safe space for all community members , from Roxbury and beyond, to connect. This month, 40+ guests joined us to watch "The Avengers." After the movie, five lucky winners received prizes from the evening's raffle!
Stay connected by following the
Dewitt Center Facebook & Instagram pages!
MPDC represents at MACDC's Lobby Day
MPDC was pleased to join MACDC for their annual Lobby Day on April 25th in the Great Hall at the MA State House. The MPDC Community Action Team, Leslie Reid, VP of Programs, Jeanne Pinado, CEO, and Roxbury residents joined the delegation of community organizations to chat with Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz about MACDC’s housing priorities
Radical Black Girl, Danza Orgánica & Castle of Our Skins at Hibernian Hall
MPDC welcomed Destiny Polk, founder of Radical Black Girl , for a week-long residency at Hibernian Hall’s new artist-in-residence program , “ SOL*ARTS .” Destiny presented the first iteration of her traveling research & performance project called “My City, My Body or If Concrete Could Talk or For Those Who May Be Traumatized." Twenty-five young women from Youth Options Unlimited joined Destiny for a week of embodied research through movement , poetry , and storytelling .  
 Also in April, MPDC welcomed a Boston based event hosted and curated by Marsha Parrilla / Danza Orgánica to Hibernian Hall. " We Create Festival " promotes diversity and brings visibility to self-identified women artists . This was the sixth edition of the acclaimed festival. During the two day festival, artists shared their process of art-making and presented their works to the community.  
Hibernian Hall recently received a grant from  Boston Cultural Council  for  Hibernian Hall’s partnership with Castle of Our Skins  in support of a week-long series of cultural and musical activities paying homage to James Baldwin taking place this June.
Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
Endless appreciation for our funders!
With MPDC’s  2018-19 After School Youth Employment Program  coming to a close, we’d like to thank funders and supporters who  supported the largest cohort of participants in the program’s history :  

 
As we look to summer, we are happy to count the  Berkshire Bank Foundation  as a recent supporter of  MPDC’s 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which has a record number of youth applicants this year. Other SYEP funders to date are: 


We are also excited to announce that a grant from the  Massachusetts Census Equity Fund  was secured, which will help our Civic Engagement initiative disseminate  Census 2020  information to Roxbury residents to ensure widespread community participation in next year’s census. It is so important to be counted to leverage public resources for Roxbury!
With demand for youth employment programs greater than ever, MPDC’s Youth Programs rely on the support of our funders and donors You can make a difference by giving today to help MPDC  provide young people with meaningful employment and leadership development experience!   

Similarly, as Hibernian Hall develops and produces more high quality culturally relevant arts programs for the community, it too relies on donations from its friends and supporters . And The Dewitt Center, in its first year of operation, has already become a modern, busy haven for Roxbury families and youth to engage in recreational, educational, and cultural activities and welcomes your contributions. 
Consider making a donation of $1,000 or more to MPDC, where you will  receive a 50% state tax rebate through  the MA Community Investment Tax Credit program .
Of course, any gift amount is welcome and appreciated! 
 
Visit our website to make your contribution today or contact Kay Mathew , MPDC Resource Development Manager / 617.849.6335.
Around town with MPDC's
Community Action Team
On April 1st, Beyazmin Jimenez and Leslie Reid , MPDC’s Vice President of Programs, joined the City of Boston for the Census 2020 Kick-Off hosted at the East Boston Public Library. Boston community advocacy groups, Mayor Marty Walsh , and Councilor Lydia Edwards were in attendance to express the importance of having every person counted in the 2020 Census and to ensure a fair process. MPDC recognizes the importance of an inclusive and accurate Census count for Roxbury, and we are prepared to dedicate time and resources to ensuring all residents are educated , informed , and provided with the tools necessary to participate in the upcoming Census count.
On April 23rd, The Mel King Institute , MA Community and Banking Council , and Enterprise Community Partners hosted a Lunch + Learn event for community development professionals to explore the ' Undesign the Redline ' exhibit at the Boston Architectural College . 'Undesign the Redline' is an interactive exhibit connecting the intentional and systematic racial housing segregation of the 1930s to political and social issues of today, through the powerful narratives of the people and communities affected by redlining and its legacy. Beyazmin Jimenez , MPDC's Resident and Civic Engagement Manager, served on a panel to share MPDC's efforts on engaging resident leaders in Roxbury to help empower and inform the political future of the area.
Workforce Diversity Spotlight:
Damond Brown
Damond & his fiancee came to MPDC for assistance in obtaining Damond's HiSET Certification . MPDC's Y outh Development Team worked with the young family to help Damond enroll in the program but recognized that Damond had a love for construction trades . They introduced him to Katrina Conrad , MPDC’s Workforce Diversity Project Manager, and they began working to make his construction career dreams a reality . Katrina reached out to David Hurst, owner of Hurst Landscaping , to see if there was a role available for Damond on the Hurst team. After a series of interviews, Damond was able to secure employment with Hurst Landscaping and began working immediately . MPDC helped Damond to receive his OSHA-10 certification and registered him as a Section 3 Resident which qualifies him to work on any construction site under Hurst Landscaping. Congratulations to Damond and his family!

Are you looking for employment or a new career?
Connect with  Katrina  / 617.849.6226.
MPDC's Health & Wellness Team plant springtime seeds at Smith House
MPDC's Health & Wellness Team hosted a Seedling Class at the Smith House on April 29th. The Seedling Class helped 36 community members prepare for the upcoming garden season . The Seedling Class is a part of our ongoing efforts to promote healthy eating and serves as an opportunity for participants to learn more about the health benefits associated with growing & eating vegetables, herbs, and fruits. T his program would not be possible without the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation 's support of MPDC’s Community Gardens!
Celebrating the After School Youth Employment Program
MPDC's After School Youth Employment Program (AYEP) has served 23 youth leaders ranging in ages 14 to 19 years old in Spring 2019. All participants were placed in internships where they received hands-on experience in various career fields. In January, AYEP began a partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission's Peer Leadership Institute to organize a series of youth-led peer health presentations . Presentation topics have included sexual health and the hazards of marijuana & tobacco use.

Winter & Spring 2019 AYEP highlights include:
Now Accepting Applications for MPDC's 2019 Scholarship Program!
Each year, through the  Ralph Smith , Danette Jones , and Haynes Family Scholarships , MPDC helps  several deserving students  from Roxbury  offset the cost of their college education .

Several college-bound applicants from Roxbury are selected annually by MPDC to receive scholarships ranging from  $250 to $5,000  toward each recipient’s  college tuition and expenses . MPDC’s college scholarship program was established by a bequest from the estate of Ralph Smith, our co-founder and first Executive Director, and a gift made in honor of Danette Jones, our second Executive Director. These scholarships make  a meaningful difference in the lives of our young residents.

Interested in learning more about MPDC's 2019 Scholarship Program?
Check out our  brochure  or contact MPDC Youth Workforce Manager,
Yhinny Matos  / 617.849.6236.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Voices Open Mic
Join Boston Pulse Poetry and Boston Day & Evening Academy for a night of sharing!

WHEN: Thursday, May 2
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)

Our Voices is a community open mic, open to the public. Free snacks and soft drinks will be served.
First Teacher Open Mic Night
An evening of talented musicians, storytellers, dancers, and poets from the community

WHEN: Thursday, May 2
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)

First Teacher’s Open Mic Fundraising Event (21+) is an event designed to bring First Teacher stakeholders from all corners of the city together to celebrate their first five years together building the First Teacher movement.
One Drop of Love with Fanshen Cox
A special one-woman show starring Fanshen Cox live at Hibernian Hall!

WHEN: Friday, May 3
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)



One Drop uses the ever-changing racial categories on the U.S. Census as the historical backdrop to this interactive show. Audiences will travel from the 1700s to the present, to cities around the U.S., and to West and East Africa, to pursue more truth – leading to more justice – and then, perhaps to LOVE.
Mother's Day Show & Dance
Treat a mom in your life to a fun night of music, dancing, and food!

WHEN: Saturday, May 4
8:00 am - 2:00 am

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)

With performances by King David Michael Rudder, Steve Masters, Omesh Singh, Baba Shanter, and more!
 A Conversation & Celebration with Playwright Jocelyn Bioh
in association with Hibernian Hall 
presents a Conversation & Celebration with Playwright Jocelyn Bioh

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)

You are invited to a conversation and celebration with playwright Jocelyn Bioh, author of the acclaimed comedy School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Karen Ward Holmes of WCVB will sit down with Ms. Bioh and director, Summer L. Williams to discuss the origins of the play, which is set in Ghana in 1986, the societal pressures of beauty, and the growing representation of black females in popular culture. The discussion will include a short scene from the play and a Q&A. There will be a reception with refreshments and soft drinks to follow. Join us for this FREE event!
Dewitt Center Video Game Tournament
Do you think you're the best video gamer?

WHEN: Wednesday, May 8
5:00 pm - 7:45 pm

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)


Enjoy an evening of fun competition between Dewitt members to see who is the best video game player! Ages 13+ & all Dewitt Center members welcome.
Dewitt Center Senior Beauty Day
The Dewitt Center is treating seniors to a fun-filled beauty day at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

WHEN: Friday, May 10
9:00 am

(75 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury)

Seniors can choose from a wash, blow dry & curl, wash & set, manicure, or pedicure! Space is limited RSVP required.
Dewitt Center Trivia Night
Test your knowledge at The Dewitt Center!

WHEN: Friday, May 17
4:30 pm - 7:45 pm

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)


Test your trivia knowledge, learn fun facts,
and win cool prizes.
Project STEP's 26th Annual Spring Recital
Join your community & celebrate diversity with an afternoon concert from the award-winning students of  Project STEP

WHEN: Sunday, May 19
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)

This event supports Project STEP, a non-profit string training program for talented young classical musicians from underrepresented populations in Boston & surrounding areas.
Annual MPV Mother's Day Celebration
Celebrate Mother's Day with your family, neighbors & friends!

WHEN: Thursday, May 23
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)


Annual MPV Mother’s Day Dinner Celebration for residents of Haynes House, Smith House, Madison Park III, Madison Park IV, Beryl Gardens, Ruggles Shawmut, Dudley Greenville, 9 Williams Street, and St. Botolph only.
Please RSVP by calling Marcus @ 617-238-2313 or Etai @ 617-427-9242.
Movie Night at The Dewitt Center
Enjoy a movie at The Dewitt Center

WHEN: Friday, May 31
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)

Watch 'Honey Rise Up & Dance' while enjoying popcorn & refreshments!
SAVE THE DATE: Garden Tea Party
You’re invited to an afternoon Garden Tea Party!

WHEN: Saturday, June 8
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

WHERE: Hope Community Garden
(55 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury)


Prize for best hat, pocketbook scavenger hunt, ‘Create Your Own Smoothie’ contest, and more!
SAVE THE DATE: MPDC Unity Day
MPDC invites you for a day of fun celebrating our neighborhood!

WHEN: Saturday, June 15
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Free food & refreshments, live music, wellness activities & exercises, outdoor games, face painting & more!
SAVE THE DATE: Bilal Live at Hibernian Hall
Join Hibernian Hall for their SOLSTONE Neo-Soul Concert featuring Bilal.

WHEN: Saturday, June 15
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)

Through evangelism from his peers and word of mouth from his early fans, Bilal gained an insatiable following and was supported by sympathetic independent labels, where he was finally able to thrive creatively.