MPDC Youth honor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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inter-generational community dialogue
,
creative performances
, and
fun educational activities
,
all planned and executed by MPDC youth participants.
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The afternoon began with elected officials including
Mayor Martin Walsh
,
State Representative Chyna Tyler
,
Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz
,
Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George
, and
Boston City Councilor Kim Janey
, speaking about the importance of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service to a crowd of 175 guests. The youth were
recognized with official citations
celebrating their hard work and community impact from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
, the
Boston City Council
, the
State Senate
, and the
House of Representatives
.
We are incredibly proud of our youth
and grateful to all of the volunteers, local businesses, and officials who made the event possible!
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A month of mentoring at
The Dewitt Center!
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The Dewitt Center started the year off celebrating
twelve graduates of the
Francis O'Bryant Mentorship Program
!
The FOB Mentorship Program's goal is to
build positive
,
authentic
, &
lasting relationships
and serve as positive role models to the youth they work with while assisting and supporting them as they navigate and transition successfully into adulthood.
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LIPGLOSS!
(Ladies Involved in Protecting Girls Lives On Serious Subjects)
works with females ages 11 to 15 to help them to become
empowered young ladies
with the tools needed to be strong,
productive leaders in their communities
. In January, LIPGLOSS! featured special guests
Officer Janine Busby
and
Karen Johnson
who shared their love, wisdom, and dance talents with the group.
It was poppin'!
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Youth Overcoming Pressure
,
facilitated by
Officer Kenneth Grubbs
from the
Boston Police Department (Official)
Area B-2, welcomed twelve young men this month at The Dewitt Center. The group's dialogues focused on developing
positive communication and trust of law enforcement professionals
.
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A group of twelve young women participated in the
Girls With Altitude
mentorship group in January at The Dewitt Center.
GWA provides a
platform and space
for the youth to discuss
politics
,
love
,
healthy relationships
&
friendships
. Together the girls started a journey of healing by using writing, art, and group discussion.
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Stay connected by following the
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Youth Workforce Development Spotlight:
Ledell Wilkerson, Jr.
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MPDC's
Opportunity Youth Employment Program
superstar
, Ledell Wilkerson, Jr., had a January full of accomplishments! First, he
completed the
Timothy Smith Network
's T
ech Goes Home
six-week technology program
at The Dewitt Center and was rewarded with a brand new laptop. Later in the month, he
placed as an intern at the
Kroc Center
’s Culinary Program
. Finally, he
served as the emcee for the MLK Day Healthy Community Brunch
and presented each elected official in attendance with a certificate of gratitude.
Congratulations, Ledell, and keep up the great work!
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Hibernian Hall kicks off 2019 with
'
Nat Turner
'
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In August 1831,
Nat Turner led a slave uprising
that shook the conscience of the nation. Turner's startling account of his prophecy was recorded and published by attorney Thomas R. Gray. '
Nat Turner in Jerusalem'
imagines
Turner’s final night in a jail cell
in Jerusalem, Virginia, as Gray revisits him and they
reckon with what has passed and what the dawn will bring
. Full of rich imagery, this story explores
morality
,
freedom
,
spirituality
, and one man’s
convictions
. Written by
Nathan Alan Davis
and Directed by
Benny Sato Ambush
, '
Nat Turner'
kicks off Hibernian Hall's 2019 season in partnership with the
Actors' Shakespeare Project
and was
chosen by The Boston Globe
as one of their
Winter Arts Guide: Theater Picks
.
Actors’ Shakespeare Project, founded in 2004, is an
award-winning
professional theater company with a
Resident Acting Company
and extensive
education
,
youth
, and
community
programs. ASP performs and works in
found spaces
,
schools
,
theaters
, and
neighborhoods
to present and explore the
robust language
,
resonant stories
, and
deeply human characters
in Shakespeare’s plays and works by other great playwrights.
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Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
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Now is the perfect time to
become a Friend of Hibernian Hall
(
or
renew your membership) as we gear up for our 2019 season! Your membership
supports
the
innovative artistic work
that is produced at Hibernian Hall with partners like The Actors' Shakespeare Project,
Castle of Our Skins
,
Boston Children’s Chorus
, and
The Front Porch Arts Collective
. Join the Friends and
receive exclusive benefits
all year round such as
networking opportunities
,
reduced & free tickets
to select productions, and
invitations
to our ever-so-popular
pre-performance receptions
where you have the chance to
meet artists
,
composers
,
directors
, and other arts supporters.
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Workforce Diversity Spotlight:
Joi Taylor
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In 2017, Joi found herself
unemployed
,
struggling to pay her rent
, and becoming increasingly
discouraged
that she would be unable to find work in the construction field despite having OSHA-10 certification & years of experience. One of the biggest challenges she faced when looking for employment was her criminal background.
She was referred to Katrina Conrad-Gwyn, MPDC's Workforce Diversity Project Manager, at the perfect time.
Argus Construction
was seeking to hire another laborer. After working with Katrina to connect with Argus,
Joi was hired
and has been there ever since. Joi remarks
"Argus Construction has treated me with nothing but respect.
I am grateful for MPDC providing me with an opportunity to gain employment.
"
Are you looking for employment or a new career?
To learn more or to register contact
Katrina
/ 617.849.6226.
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Roxbury in Motion on film
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As a Roxbury resident or a community organization,
we need your voice
to help influence how these projects happen. Understanding neighborhood priorities can help
guide us in advocating for improvements
and projects that will more effectively benefit the Roxbury area. If you are interested in getting more involved with Roxbury in Motion,
we invite you to take this short survey.
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MPDC receives 2019 grant from
John Hancock
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MPDC is happy to be once again awarded funding through the
John Hancock MLK Summer Scholars program for the 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program
. In 2019, a record
18 young people will be employed as Summer Scholars
. In addition to
paid employment
, the MLK Summer Scholars program provides youth with demonstrated leadership capacity the
opportunity to participate in a summer-long leadership forum
with other young people from neighborhoods throughout Boston, as well as a
financial literacy curriculum
designed by John Hancock.
MLK Scholars
is believed to be the largest, most comprehensive, corporate-based summer jobs program of its kind in the nation.
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Affordable housing opportunity at Madison Melnea Cass Apartments
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One of MPDC's
latest developments
,
the
Madison Melnea Cass Apartments
(MMCA), is now accepting applications!
Applications are available by email or phone from January 14, 2019 to February 13, 2019.
or call 617-445-8338.
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MPDC youth chef it up with
Dana Farber
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In January, MPDC youth enjoyed a day of
healthy cooking
at the
Smith House
.
As part of
MPDC's
health and wellness initiatives
, the young adults of MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program participated in a healthy cooking workshop with Chelsea Kantor of
Daily Table
. The youth whipped up
Vietnamese spring rolls
with dipping sauce and
baked tostones
with guacamole.
Yum!
This workshop was made possible through MPDC's partnership with the
Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s Cancer Care Equity Program
which is designed to aid in outreach and educational programs to underserved communities.
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Now accepting applications for MPDC’s HiSET training program!
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Are you looking for a fresh start?
Not in school or unemployed?
Need your
HiSET
/GED diploma?
MPDC's
Opportunity Youth Employment Program
(OYEP) serves disengaged, court-involved young people,
ages 16 to 24
who are out school, in transitional/alternative schools, or unemployed. We offer candidates who participate in OYEP a
stipend for development workshops
and a
paid internship
.
MPDC's next HiSET
orientations
will be held on
Wednesday, February 13
from 4:30pm to 6:30pm &
Tuesday, February 19
from 11:00am to 2:00pm
.
Our next
HiSET session begins on Monday, February 25
. For more information or to sign up please, contact
Yhinny Matos /
617.849.6236.
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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, retail, the non-profit sector, & other exciting career fields.
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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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Share Out & Community Discussion
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WHEN:
Wednesday, February 27
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
Learn about the progress of the
Neighborhood Trauma Team
s and gather to give community feedback so that they can better serve you. Together we can make a difference! Dinner will be served. All are welcome.
The
Boston Public Health Commission
leads a community-based initiative called the Neighborhood Trauma Team (NTT). NTT responds to incidents of violence in specific areas of Boston and connects community members to trauma recovery services if needed. MPDC’s Public Safety Team, in partnership with the
Whittier Street Health Center
, is the community liaison for the Roxbury Neighborhood Trauma Team (RNTT).
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Boston Pulse Poetry Black History Month
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A night of poetry & fun to close out Black History Month!
WHEN:
Thursday, February 28, 2019
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
21+ / $5 entry
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Black History Month
WHEN:
Thursday, February 28, 2019
6:00 pm
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
Join the Boston Children's Chorus for a concert to celebrate Black History Month at Hibernian Hall that will tell the stories of the Civil Rights Movement's hidden women.
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Save the date:
Dewitt Center Art Gallery Reception
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Explore the art & photography showcased at The Dewitt Center!
WHEN:
Thursday, March 28, 2019
6:30 pm - 8:30pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
Join us for an evening celebrating Roxbury art & history. This free event will feature conversations with the artists, refreshments, and guided tours of The Dewitt Center Art Gallery.
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Winifred Irish Hall
(1924 - 2013)
Annie Wade & Gertrude Joseph on Tremont Street, co. 1935-45
Lower Roxbury Black History Project Records
Courtesy of Northeastern University Libraries Archives & Special Collections
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Madison Park Development Corporation offices & Hibernian Hall will be
closed on Monday, February 18, 2019
in observance of President's Day.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
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