January 2019 @ MPDC
MPDC Youth honor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
After months of planning, on Monday, January 21 , 48 y outh participants of MPDC’s Soheil Turner Youth Leadership Institute programs produced a beautiful event at The Dewitt Center as part of the Massachusetts Service Alliance's National Day of Service . The MLK Day Healthy Community Brunch featured a delicious & healthy meal ,
inter-generational community dialogue , creative performances , and fun educational activities , all planned and executed by MPDC youth participants.
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!
A month of mentoring at
The Dewitt Center!
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.
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'!
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 .
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.
Stay connected by following the
Dewitt Center Facebook & Instagram pages!
Youth Workforce Development Spotlight:
Ledell Wilkerson, Jr.
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!
Hibernian Hall kicks off 2019 with
' Nat Turner '
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.
Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
New year, new membership
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.
Workforce Diversity Spotlight:
Joi Taylor
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?
Don't let barriers stop you from reaching your dreams and starting the next chapter of your life. Join us for our 4th Annual Community Job Fair on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 2 to 6 pm at The Dewitt Center .
To learn more or to register contact Katrina / 617.849.6226.
Roxbury in Motion on film
Last year, the MA Department of Health worked with four different Mass in Motion (MIM) communities to create “Healthy Community Design” videos to highlight the MIM work to key stakeholders. We are proud to announce that Roxbury in Motion is one of the four highlighted !

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.
MPDC receives 2019 grant from
John Hancock
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. 
Affordable housing opportunity at Madison Melnea Cass Apartments
One of MPDC's  latest developments , the Madison Melnea Cass Apartments (MMCA), is now accepting applications!

Be sure to check out one of the upcoming information sessions or pick up an application in the coming weeks. MMCA is required to follow the  City of Boston’s initial lease-up lottery process.
Applications are available by email or phone from January 14, 2019 to February 13, 2019.
To request an application please, send an email to  [email protected]  
or call 617-445-8338.
MPDC youth chef it up with
Dana Farber
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.
Now accepting applications for MPDC’s HiSET training program!
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
4th Annual Community Job Fair
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.
Nat Turner in Jerusalem
Hibernian Hall and Actors' Shakespeare Projec t present a politically timely story

WHEN: Select weekends and weeknights from January 30 - February 24, 2019.
See all showtimes here .

(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.
Share Out & Community Discussion
Join the Neighborhood Trauma Teams for a night of community discussion

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).
Boston Pulse Poetry Black History Month
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)

Join  Boston Pulse Poetry for free food, great vibes, and, of course, poetry!
21+ / $5 entry
She Persisted
Hibernian Hall & the Boston Children's Chorus honor
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.
Save the date:
Dewitt Center Art Gallery Reception
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.
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
MPDC Holiday Hours
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.