Happy Holidays from MPDC!
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MPDC ended the year spreading holiday cheer in Roxbury!
The youth from MPDC's
After School Youth Employment Program
(AYEP) kicked off the holiday season at the
Mayor's 26th Annual Dudley Square Tree Lighting
where they
helped distribute gifts
and
healthy snacks
to attendees. They made sure to celebrate the holidays with their own merry gathering before winter break where they had fun playing games and taking selfies in their festive DIY photobooth.
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MPDC cheerfully participated in and
hosted
generous toy giveaways
throughout the month including the
Orchard Gardens Holiday Toy Giveaway
on
December 15th
, the
WinnResidential
Winter Wonderland
party on
December 20th
, and the
Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Giveaway
on
December 22nd
at the
Dewitt Center
. Each event was well attended and filled with the spirit of the season as youth of all ages
visited with Santa
, ate
holiday treats
, and delightedly
received special gifts & toys
.
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MPDC staff also took time to celebrate the holiday season together at our annual
Staff Potluck Lunch on December 13th
. It's always meaningful when we share a meal together at MPDC, especially a home cooked one.
We hope your December was filled with as much holiday spirit as ours!
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A busy December at The Dewitt Center
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The Dewitt Center celebrates
#BlackGirlMagic
!
On
December 15th
, the Dewitt Center hosted
Melanin and Magic
, a two-part event including panel
discussions with inspiring women
, fun
activities
, and
networking
. During the first half of the day, 120 women participated in exercises meant to
encourage
,
uplift
, and
empower
women of color.
The event was capped off with a holiday party full of games, crafts, and delicious food.
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A bustling month for
basketball at The Dewitt Center
!
New York Knicks star
Mario Hezonja
visited the Dewitt Center on
December 6th
to sign basketballs and shoot hoops with the youth. It was an honor to have him!
Then, on
December 13th
, The
Collective Impact
hosted their first gathering at The Dewitt Center gym. The Collective Impact is creating
a 3-on-3 co-ed basketball league
in Roxbury
that also focuses on organizing for social, economic, and political change within the community.
Be on the lookout for more games and gatherings with the Collective Impact in 2019!
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Dewitt Center Spotlight:
Temple of Martial Arts
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Did you know the Dewitt Center hosts youth karate classes taught by a 6th Degree Black Belt Master Sensei?
Sensei David Dixon began his martial arts training at the
Roxbury Boys and Girls Club
in 1972. He also taught at the
Dorchester YMCA
and
Healthworks
before founding the Temple of Martial Arts
N.E. School of Gosh-Shun B.A.D/SWAM Boston Branch
. Sensei David was inducted into the Temple of Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2017 when he became a Master Instructor. The goal of the Temple of Martial Arts is to
train students to be champions both inside and outside the dojo
. Youth participating in the Temple of Martial Arts program at the Dewitt Center are
mentored in keeping their lives free from bullying and misogyny
. To learn more and sign up for 2019 classes please, contact
Erica Davis
.
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Stay connected by following the new
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Hibernian Hall closes out with a '
King'
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Hibernian Hall completed the 2018 season with
Unto This House: The King of Kings is Born
, an originally scripted holiday musical by Alda Witherspoon of
The Witherspoon Institute New England
(WIN).
Unto This House: The King of Kings is Born
, directed by Trinidad Ramkissoon, presented a
creative and dramatic
expression of
the first Christmas
through
African dance
,
ballet
,
gospel music
,
poetry
,
puppetry
, and
mime
. With stunning costumes, transformative sets, and an all-star cast it was a remarkable way to end an outstanding year!
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Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
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YOU can make an impact at
Hibernian Hall!
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This past year,
generous gifts
to Hibernian Hall
supported two original theater productions
by playwrights in residence
, an outstanding musical
performance by jazz and R&B vocalist
TeaMarrr
, the first annual
Summer Theater Intensive
for local actors, and
dozens of community events
that highlighted the vibrancy of Roxbury. Your charitable donation in 2019 helps to preserve
culturally conscious
,
innovative
, and
high- quality arts
experiences
in the heart of Roxbury
.
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MPDC Youth Employment Program awarded with grant
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MPDC is happy to announce that the
East Boston Savings Bank Charitable Foundation
has awarded
MPDC’s
After School Youth Employment Program
(AYEP) a grant of $5,000
, which will
help pay internship stipends
for our youth participants during the school year. We are proud to be
one of 128 organizations
throughout Greater Boston to receive support from EBSB Charitable Foundation. MPDC
Community Action
staff attended a breakfast held for all grant recipients, who were presented with their grants and
acknowledged for their “consistent dedication and support in the communities that they serve.”
Bank CEO Richard Gavegnano says “This contribution is one small way to show our gratitude to the local organizations that make our communities great.” The East Boston Savings Bank Charitable Foundation provides funding to support charitable causes and local development activities within the communities of East Boston Savings Bank.
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Welcome to Roxbury,
Friends of the Children!
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MPDC offices have moved to the second floor
at 184 Dudley Street (Suite 200) and we are excited to welcome
Friends of the Children
as our new first floor neighbors!
Friends of the Children
is a national non-profit that is
breaking the cycle of generational poverty
by giving children facing the highest risks the ability to create a new story. They do this by providing the most vulnerable children with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12.5 years – no matter what.
In a surprise phone call
to Friends-Boston’s Executive Director,
Yi-Chin Chen
,
New England Patriots owner
Robert Kraft
said, “Friends-Boston caught my attention because of the great work you are doing with our most vulnerable young people.” Through his personal philanthropic efforts,
Mr. Kraft committed a gift of $50,000
and challenged the organization to raise an additional $50,000 to
cover the costs of the relocation
.
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Hiring interns in 2019?
Host an MPDC youth!
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In 2018, over 70 MPDC youth were employed by local businesses & non-profits.
MPDC's
Youth Development Programs
prepare youth to be self-sufficient, professional, and confident. MPDC youth
work alongside our staff and our partner agencies to learn the “hard” and “soft” skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. MPDC staff members serve as mentors,
challenging the young employees to pursue higher education
,
vocational training
,
union apprenticeship
, and other opportunities as the best routes to long-term financial stability.
Do you own or know of a business that would be interested in hosting MPDC youth to work onsite this school-year?
Learn more or apply to be a work site by contacting
Yhinny Matos
!
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A blast from the past on
Washington Street
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Have you seen the gorgeous
archival images
celebrating the history of Lower Roxbury, Dudley Square and Madison Park at
2101 Washington Street
?
These photographs represent over
120 years of Roxbury history
. You can find even more historical photographs as well as work by local contemporary artists at the
Dewitt Center
.
Thank you to Lolita & London Parker for curating this street side exhibit!
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MLK Day Healthy Community Brunch
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MPDC Martin Luther King Day Healthy Community Brunch
WHEN:
Monday,
January 21, 2019
12:00-3:00pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
Enjoy a healthy meal, engage in compelling dialogue, and watch artistic performances celebrating the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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WHEN:
Select weekends and weeknights from January 30-February 24, 2019.
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
TICKETS:
$15-60
Nat Turner led a slave revolt that shocked the country in August of 1831. The evening before Turner is scheduled to be executed, he and attorney Thomas R. Gray, the recorder of his confessions, confront what has passed and what the future may hold. Full of rich imagery, this story explores morality, freedom, spirituality, and one man’s convictions.
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Save the Date:
4th Annual Community Job Fair
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New year, new career!
WHEN:
Wednesday,
February 6, 2019,
2:00-6:00pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
Meet with employers from construction, building trades, hospitality, the non-profit sector, & other exciting career fields.
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Madison Park Development Corporation offices & Hibernian Hall will be
closed on Monday, January 21, 2019
in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
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