As Actors' Shakespeare Project launches rehearsals for 

Come out to historic Hibernian Hall on Thursday, February 22 to get a glimpse into the play: you'll see our director and actors rehearse a scene and receive a discount code for opening weekend!

Enjoy a delicious meal across the street at Suya Joint before or after the event! 

On January 23, the MPDC collaborated with Ranked Choice Boston to mark National Ranked Choice Voting Day. Joined by At-Large Boston City Councilors Julia Mejia, Henry Santana, and a representative from Councilor Fernandes Anderson’s office, attendees explored the significance of ranked-choice voting. Guests sampled Jamaican patties from Irie Jamaican Style Restaurant and ranked them, with Jerk Chicken as the favorite. It was a valuable occasion to come together, show support, and enhance the understanding of this pivotal electoral process.

Also, in January, a thrilling domino championship was hosted by community members at Madison Park Village. Ismael Diaz organized a domino tournament at The Smith House, partnering with Jose Machado to invite other residents to compete. MPDC was honored to have Ranked Choice Boston and Councilor Julia Mejia attend this event. MPDC's Director of Community Action, Lyndon Vincent, also participated in the games and awarded trophies to the participants and team leaders alongside Allison Anderson, MPDC's Civic Engagement Coordinator. Throughout January, residents celebrated traditional cultural gaming, fostering unity and camaraderie with their neighbors.

Remember to register to vote for the Tuesday, March 5th, Presidential Primary Election, where your voice will shape the presidential election.

The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, February 24th. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact Allison Anderson at aanderson@madison-park.org.

The Opportunity Employment Program (OEP) launched Term 1 with HiSET classes in January, offering orientation sessions for returning and new students. Flexibility was provided for attendance, ensuring all students received essential program information and resources. During orientations, dinner was provided, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for familiar faces and newcomers alike.

Supply kits were distributed on the first day of classes, and students were consulted on classroom redesign, empowering them to contribute to their learning environment. The Gun Violence Prevention Art Initiative Committee was introduced, allowing students to express their experiences with gun violence through art, amplifying their voices.

OEP also facilitated expressive art therapy events, engaging 19 youth workforce participants in creating vision boards to visualize their personal goals. Additionally, the program hosted hybrid and in-person wellness workshops for OEP participants and other youth workforce groups, promoting holistic well-being.

For further inspiration and resources, check out the MPDC Mental Health Instagram (@mpdcmentalhealth), featuring quotes, poems, insights from students, and mental health resources.

MPDC is thrilled to kickstart this term with students and eagerly anticipates their success in achieving their academic and

personal goals!

On January 11, Mike Bivins of Bell Biv DeVoe & New Edition hosted an Appreciation Breakfast for MPDC staff and older adult residents. The morning started with a tour of The Dewitt Center, followed by entertainment from Jason Price of New Edition. Over 80 attendees enjoyed the breakfast and music by Steve Gousby, former DJ of WILD, Boston. The BIVFAM Foundation pledged to make this an annual event.

The Jean Appolon Expressions African Dance Company hosts weekly African dance workouts with live drumming every Monday at The Dewitt Center from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The class is free for all MPDC residents, with a $15 general admission fee.

Participants engage in a one-hour session featuring cardio warm-ups with African dance movements, stretches, and strength-building exercises. These workouts provide MPDC residents and community members a fantastic opportunity to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle!

The Love Your Magic Day of Service hosted at The Dewitt Center was created to foster empathy, communal care, justice, and self-advocacy through service. This event brought together girls, caregivers, and community members to analyze and critique local issues and their roles within them. Through collaborative brainstorming and implementation, participants work together to develop and enact solutions within their community.

Community CPA Aarron Mundelle organized a complimentary tax education seminar at The Dewitt Center in January to empower small businesses. The event offered valuable insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of taxes, serving as a useful platform for local entrepreneurs. Mundelle's expertise and dedication to fostering financial literacy were evident, creating an impactful learning experience for all attendees. This initiative underscores Mundelle's commitment to supporting small businesses and highlights the significance of informed financial decision-making in the entrepreneurial journey.

Kicking off 2024, Hibernian Hall brought back the crowd-favorite "Roxbury Roots". Featured speakers Julia Mejia, Jay Street, Pilar Tucker, and Angela Dickerson delved into crucial mental and physical wellness topics. Hibernian Hall opened up the stage for the first time, inviting our attendees to step up and share their own stories, hearing from two voices within our community. These stories led to a dynamic Q&A session, enabling direct dialogue between the audience and our speakers. "Roxbury Roots" is one of Hibernian Hall's standout events, leaving attendees both enlightened and inspired while keeping it real and professional.

Mark your calendars for the next "Fitness Series" gathering TOMORROW, February 10, 2024, at Hibernian Hall. Join Hibernian Hall for a holistic session led by mind-body coach Tariq Pinkston from 11 am to 1 pm. Experience a fusion of fitness, meditation, breathwork, and radiant healing, suitable for all skill levels

and ages.

Admission is free, with complimentary refreshments provided to keep your energy up.

In October 2023, MPDC introduced Lisa and Christian, first-time homebuyers who achieved their dream of owning a 2-family property in Dorchester, valued at just under $800,000. They closed on this dream home in September 2023, a testament to their determination.

Dorchester's rich history, diversity, and community drew them in. Though needing some TLC, their property offered two separate homes on one lot, providing rental income potential to offset their mortgage payments.

To navigate the challenging path to homeownership, they utilized multiple down payment assistance programs, accumulating over $200,000 in support. These programs, including Madison Park Next Door, Massachusetts Housing Project, Boston Housing Authority, and the City of Boston's ONE+Boston program, were crucial.

Their lender, The Cooperative Bank in Roslindale, and Loan Officer VP Renee Owens were instrumental in accessing these opportunities, making their homeownership dream a reality.

WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY of each month

WHERE: The Dewitt Center

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.

myimso@yahoo.com or call 617.442.2805.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

Saturday, June 1st

WHEN: Wednesdays and Thursdays

WHERE: Xhibition Kitchen

(11 Speare Place, Boston, MA)

WHEN: Mondays from January 8 to March 25

WHERE: The Dewitt Center

(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

Immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of African dance, connecting with its roots and storytelling through movement. All levels of experience are welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or taking your first steps, this event is designed for everyone.

WHEN: Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 31, 2024

WHERE: Hibernian Hall

(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA)

Following one of ASP’s most acclaimed and successful productions of all time, Seven Guitars, Actors’ Shakespeare Project returns to Hibernian Hall in 2024 for another installment in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle: King Hedley II.

Fresh off of a seven-year stint in prison, King Hedley II (named after his father, who was played by Johnnie Mack in ASP’s Seven Guitars) dreams of going straight. He’s going to open his own video store — even if he has to steal every refrigerator in Pittsburgh to make it happen. Returning home to the Hill District in 1985, King finds that his community is beset by violence, con men, and redlining. As King fights to keep his family afloat, the harsh realities of Reagan’s America threaten to drag him under.

Hailed by Variety in 1999 as “maybe the most passionate work that August Wilson has penned to date,” King Hedley II dives into family tensions and the Black experience in America with Wilson’s signature poeticism and power.