Announcing MPDC's 2023
Doughnuts and Grits with Your Delegates
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We want to hear from YOU!
Join us to chat with Roxbury local & state elected officials while enjoying breakfast with your neighbors.
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, March 16th, 2023
10 am to 11:30 am
Doors open at 9:30 am
at Hibernian Hall
184 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
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MPDC'S 2023 Scholarship Program Launch |
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MPDC's Scholarship Program is BACK for 2023 and will be awarding $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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Hibernian Hall kicks off 2023 with superheroes, storytelling, and Shakespeare! |
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My SuperHero Essay Day was a fun interactive brunch for families and young writers! The event included a puppet show, a Phillis Wheatley educational session, a book fair, and lots of prizes. The event was organized to celebrate the young writers who submitted a story to be published in Hibernian Hall's upcoming book.
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Roxbury Roots II was an intimate night of storytelling around the "campfire." The night started with dinner and concluded with personal stories told by Roxbury residents and leaders. If you would like to nominate someone to share their story for the next installment of Roxbury Roots, please reach out to Haris Lefteri or Leslie Stafford. |
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August Wilson’s
Seven Guitars
Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent
in Partnership with Hibernian Hall
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH – SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH
Six friends gather to mourn and reminisce after the untimely death of blues guitarist Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton. As the characters recount Floyd’s last days, Seven Guitars spins a tale of what happens when dreams of stardom collide with harsh reality. With bawdy comedy and enchanting blues rhythms, Wilson’s Pulitzer-nominated script explores faith, oppression, love, and the music that binds us together.
The BlackOut performance for Seven Guitars is now on-sale, a first in Actors' Shakespeare Project history.
This performance is for audience members of the African Diaspora to create an experience often robbed by the predominantly white audiences at Boston theatres.
To access the BlackOut visit the ticket page and select the performance on Sunday, February 19th, at 7:30 pm.
All seats for this performance are Pay-What-You-Can.
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The Dewitt Center had a joyful January! |
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As The Dewitt Center nears its fifth birthday in July 2023, it is busier than ever with everything from mentorship to dance. The Dewitt Center has many exciting programs, workshops, activities, and events planned during the winter and into the Spring as we gear up to #DoItAtTheDewitt this Summer.
Interested in hosting a community event or program at The Dewitt Center? Fill out our inquiry form here or contact Erica Davis at 617.541.3900 for more information.
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After learning that a Dewitt Center volunteer recently received a reply from DoorDash stating, "U GOT A BIKE, U GOT A JOB," The Dewitt Center proudly donated a bike on-hand to Armando Suarez. Congrats, Armando!
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The Dewitt Center held its 'Tutor Tutee Day' at Boston College. Ten pairs from The Dewitt tutoring site attended. Later, families joined together for a Family Holiday Party at The Dewitt Center. The event welcomed 22 tutees, and 14 brought their families. They participated in fun activities, including cookie decorating, holiday crosswords, word searches, coloring pages, and board games.
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The Dewitt Center is proud to announce that 50 new members recently joined The Dewitt Center, 11 of whom are Madison Park Village Residents.
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Updates from MPDC's
Community Planning Team
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Community Planning is excited to highlight its Community Planning Youth Advocates Diego, Osmin, Jada, Janslly, Yasmil, Mari, and Nissell.
The youth are learning about systems and environmental change for a healthier community. These youth have completed a Root Cause Analysis around health, wellness, and equitable opportunity disparities. They have contributed to creating safe spaces for the community to learn and gain awareness about how mental health, safety, and the effects of trauma have been the root cause of individuals and families not having access due to fear, community violence, or untreated trauma.
Jada Wallace served as a Village In Progress leader and is now a Community Planning Advocate focusing on coping skills for those affected by anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other challenges that can hinder our community from accessing healthy foods, physical activity, and mental health support.
Diego Abzun is a high school senior and on his school's debate team. His major focus is wellness and awareness around depression and how it affects people's access to healthy foods, physical activity, and mental health support.
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Civic Engagement Team wants to hear from YOU! |
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Civic Engagement is vital to the community's growth, but where do you start, or who do you go to when you need a solution?
Join MPDC's Civic Engagement Team in 2023 to learn how to engage with community leaders and receive resources that could help lead to solutions.
Wednesday, February 15th, kicks off MPDC's Civic Engagement Series! Gather at The Dewitt Center (122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA) for What's ___ Got to Do With It? from 5:00 pm to 6:15 pm.
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Helpful information from MPDC's
Resident Engagement &
Community Support Team
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Are you worried about someone, or do you have questions about abuse?
Do you recognize warning signs of an unhealthy relationship?
Do you need help or support?
If someone you know is experiencing domestic violence,
please call
911 for immediate assistance.
800-799-7233 National Hotline for Domestic Violence
SafeLink is Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline and a resource for anyone affected by domestic or dating violence.
Each call is answered by a trained advocate who provides non-judgmental support, assistance with safety planning, and information on appropriate resources.
SafeLink’s state-of-the-art technology allows the advocate answering your call to keep you on the line while you are connected to a resource in your area, getting you help in just a single call. It is also OK to call SafeLink if you need to talk about your situation or someone else’s – you do not need to be looking for services or shelter space.
The SafeLink toll-free number is (877) 785-2020. Advocates are bilingual in English and Spanish and have access to a service that can provide translation in more than 130 languages.
People who are Deaf and hard of hearing can reach SafeLink through the Mass Relay service:
- Dial 711 in Massachusetts
- From anywhere else, dial 1-800-439-0183 for English or 1- 800-930-9252 for Spanish
- Ask to be connected to the hotline (1-877-785-2020).
Call SafeLink for:
- Safety planning resources for survivors to learn how they and their families can stay safe.
- A safe and confidential space to talk about your relationship or someone else’s.
- A direct connection to domestic violence programs across Massachusetts
- Referrals to local domestic violence and other community resources
- Support and resources for anyone concerned about a victim of domestic violence
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More information about domestic and dating violence can be accessed at https://casamyrna.org/get-support/safe
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Resident Association Meetings for Madison Park Village are being held monthly on Tuesdays
February 14th
March 14th
April 11th
May 9th
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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Thank you to MPDC's January 2023 Newsletter Contributors |
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Allison Anderson
Erica Davis
Haris Lefteri
Kelly Lydon
Leslie Reid
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Patrice Shephard
Tahara Samuel
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MPDC's Virtual Community Asset and
Wealth Building Forum
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WHEN: Tuesday, February 28, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
WHERE: ONLINE - Register for Zoom link
COST: FREE
In honor of Black History Month, join us for an evening with Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Chief of Organizing, Policy, and Equity, to discuss how the racial wealth gap affects Roxbury and beyond with MPDC CEO Leslie Reid.
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MPDC x IMSO
Food Pantry @ The Dewitt Center
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WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm
(February 18th)
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. Masks and social distancing are required.
For more information, please contact IMSO at
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Peer Health Leader Training Conference Week |
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WHEN: Monday, February 20th - Thursday, February 23rd
10 am to 3 pm
Friday, February 24th
10 am - 1 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
Want to Learn About the Peer Health Leader Program?
Want to learn about health topics?
Want to be a leader in your community?
Join MPDC for the Peer Health Leader Conference Week!
Peer Health Leaders are stipend positions.
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MPDC's Meal Prep and Participation Classes |
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WHEN: Monday, January 16th, from 1:30 pm
WHERE: Smith House in the Community Room
757 Shawmut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119
Learn how to prepare, preserve and create healthy meals with a group of participants in classes led by MPDCs Health & Wellness Coordinator and a Certified Nutritionist!
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! - FREE
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Abundantly Black @ The Dewitt Center |
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WHEN: Saturday, February 25th
12 pm to 4 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
Gather for an afternoon of exhibits and performances celebrating Black culture in Boston!
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Actors' Shakespeare Project presents
August Wilson's Seven Guitars at Hibernian Hall
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WHEN: Wednesday, February 8th to Sunday, March 5th
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
COST: Varies
August Wilson’s
Seven Guitars
Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent
in Partnership with Hibernian Hall
Six friends gather to mourn and reminisce after the untimely death of blues guitarist Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton. As the characters recount Floyd’s last days, Seven Guitars spins a tale of what happens when dreams of stardom collide with harsh reality. With bawdy comedy and enchanting blues rhythms, Wilson’s Pulitzer-nominated script explores faith, oppression, love, and the music that binds us together.
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MPDC's Food Service Training Program |
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WHEN: Tuesday -Thursday
virtual training on Tuesdays & Wednesdays
March 28-April 24
WHERE: Online and at MPDC Offices
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
Learn the skills needed to thrive in a patient-focused, fast-paced environment and kickstart your career in the Healthcare Food Service industry! Participants must be:
- Between the ages of 18-24
- Live in the Boston area
- Fully vaccinated and boostered against COVID-19
Successful completion of the training program will lead to referrals to food service opportunities at Boston Children's Hospital. Thursday classes will be held at MPDC 184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA.
THIS IS A PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
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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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