Celebrating Roxbury art & history
at The Dewitt Center
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On Thursday, March 28,
nearly 200 people joined MPDC for The Dewitt Center Art Gallery Reception and Celebration
. The evening was jam-packed with activities including
music
by
Fulani Live Jazz
,
guided tours
of the gallery with MPDC youth participants,
yummy food
from Ethnica Catering
, and an
engaging speaking program
with a presentation by gallery curator, Lolita Parker, Jr.
Since July,
The Dewitt Center
has been filled with
programming and events
but also fabulous
art & photography representing 110 years of imagery in Roxbury
. Most of the pieces at the Center were taken or created within a half-mile of 122 Dewitt Drive and,
artists of color created 80% of the pieces
.
Missed the event? Want to take a tour of the gallery?
Stop by The Dewitt Center Monday through Friday from 10 am to 8 pm or Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and take a self-guided tour with one of our handy ‘
Self Guided Tour Companions
.’
Want to learn more about the gallery at The Dewitt? Contact
Erica Davis
.
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A delightful 'Doughnuts with Delegates'
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On March 26, MPDC partnered with
Nuestra Comunidad CDC
for our annual 'Donuts with Delegates' event. The morning brought together local and state elected officials with a stake in the Roxbury neighborhood to
discuss ways to support equitable solutions for our current affordable housing
and
community development efforts
.
The event was well attended by residents of the community, staff from both organizations, along with
State Rep. Russell Holmes
,
State Rep. Liz Miranda
,
State Rep. Nika Elugardo
,
City Councilor At-Large Althea Garrison
,
City Councilor Kim Janey
, and staff from
City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu
’s office and
City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George
’s office.
MPDC CEO,
Jeanne Pinado shared
highlights from MPDC's workforce diversity program
and
mentioned the growing momentum to increase state matching dollars
for increased support for the
Community Preservation Act
and concluded by
urging our elected representatives to take a broader view of our affordable housing needs
by supporting statewide zoning reform.
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MPDC leadership takes a trip to Washington!
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MPDC CEO, Jeanne Pinado, and VP of Programs, Leslie Reid, were
in Washington DC
i
n March
with
NeighborWorks
organization colleagues from around the country
advocating for an increase in federal investment for community development
. Jeanne visited Capitol Hill and watched
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
attend a public hearing where the committee heard testimony from
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
.
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Poetry & community discussion fill
The Dewitt Center
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The
Boston Public Health Commission Neighborhood Trauma Team
hosted a 'Share Out and Community Discussion' on February 27 at The Dewitt Center. At this event, 50
residents shared their concerns
about violence
in the community
and
discussed strategies
to address neighborhood issues.
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Boston Pulse Poetry
hosted their 'Black History Open Mic Potluck' to close out Black History Month on February 28. Students from Boston Public Schools gathered together to
perform self-identifying art through spoken word poetry
. Creative Program Director, D-Ruff, opened the event by stating
“If black history started at slavery, it’ll look like we progressed. So, it’s time to reveal our crowns and give their history a rest.”
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Stay connected by following the
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Dewitt Center Spotlight:
One Love Sports Academy
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One Love Sports Academy
(OLSA) serves youth ages 7 to 16 at The Dewitt Center gymnasium and focuses on sports, physical activity, & academic success. Students at OLSA
spend time on the basketball court and in mentorship workshops
.
OLSA
students receive the necessary training to
advance academically
and
athletically
.
Jamaal
Wornum
,
OLSA
Founder & Executive Director, enjoys empowering teens and bridging the gap to help them become successful young men.
One of OLSA's participants, Kamaur Fulks (
pictured here with his father & MPDC Public Safety Coordinator, Lavell Fulks
), is nine years old and
joined OLSA because of his love for sports
. He aspires to be a professional athlete someday. When he isn't on the court, he is a student at
Neighborhood House Charter School
and enjoys reading & watching movies. OLSA
provides youth like Kamaur the tools needed to
excel in sports
,
build self-esteem
,
develop leadership skills
, and
engage with positive role models
.
Join One Love Sports Academy at The Dewitt Center every Tuesday & Thursday from 6 to 8 pm!
For more information on
OLSA
contact
Erica Davis
, Dewitt Center Director.
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Boston Children's Chorus 'Persist' at Hibernian Hall
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On February 28, the
Boston Children’s Chorus
(BCC), Black History Month concert, '
She Persisted
'
filled Hibernian Hall with music and joy
. BCC Artistic Director Robbie Jacobs said “
The entire event was lovely!
There was a good crowd and, it was great to work with the Hibernian Hall Team."
We look forward to our continued partnership with BCC and their future performances at Hibernian Hall!
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Stay connected by following Hibernian Hall!
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A family of first-time homebuyers
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Congratulations
to
Madison Park Village (MPV) & Haynes House residents,
Latara & Henrietta! They are MPDC’s most recent first-time home-buyers!
This mother and daughter team are the
3
rd
and 4
th
MPDC residents to receive $50,000 of aid
from
MPDC's First Time Home-Buyers Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program
Funded in part by
Santander Bank N.A. Charitable Contributions Program
. Together, they purchased a three-family home in Roslindale.
Latara and Henrietta have been Madison Park residents for ten years and 20+ years respectively. Both Latara and Henrietta are graduates of the
City of Boston’s First Time Home-Buyer Program
. They diligently worked together to find a home that their family of four could afford. Latara faced numerous roadblocks throughout the process but, she wouldn't allow it to affect her. She was eager to become a homeowner and, it was an honor for Dwayne Watts, MPDC Resident Engagement Coordinator, to help
realize her home-ownership dreams and connect her with the assistance she needed to buy her first home
.
“
Home-ownership can be a reality for families.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little assistance and some homework to make your home-buying dreams a reality. I can't wait to attend Latara and Henrietta's house warming party!” says Dwayne.
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MPDC participants celebrate
certifications, employment, & internships
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On March 11 & 12, MPDC held the first session of our 2019 OSHA-10 training at Hibernian Hall. MPDC trained
19 local residents and staff members
in workplace safety and the reduction of job-site hazards. Several of the trainees had job offers pending as a result of the February MPDC Job Fair.
Congratulations to them for receiving their OSHA-10 certification!
Don't miss MPDC’s next OSHA-10 training on April 29
& 30!
For more information or to register, contact
Katrina Conrad
, MPDC Workforce Diversity Manager.
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MPDC’s
Real Estate
&
Community Action
Departments teamed up and successfully placed
three Workforce Development Participants in great jobs
!
Thanks to MPDC's engagement with construction contractors, David Hurst, owner of
Hurst Landscaping
, recently made job offers to three individuals that participated in our group interview sessions held over the last four weeks.
Congratulations to the following Boston residents & MPDC program participants:
Damond
, MPDC Community Action participant
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The MPDC
Youth Workforce Development
team has been working hard this March to
enroll several of our youth participants in meaningful internships
throughout the city!
Congratulations to:
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Steady progress at 2451 Washington
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2451 Washington Street is an exciting
MPDC home-ownership project
in Dudley Square that involves the construction of
16 mixed-income housing units
. Construction of these
future homes for families
began in September 2018 and is estimated to be complete in early 2020. The development is comprised of 3
one-bedroom
,
8 two-bedroom
, and
5 three-bedroom
units and features handsome contemporary designs along with parking.
Four units are dedicated to households earning 80 percent of
area median income
(AMI),
3 units at 100 percent of AMI
,
and
9 units priced at market rates
.
The general contractor for the project,
Essex Builders
, has finished digging and pouring the building’s footings & foundations and has started forming the concrete walls.
Essex Builders is currently accepting walk-on applications located in the job box on the construction fence near the
Washington Street gate
.
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Many milestones in March for
MPDC Resource Development
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MPDC's Resource Development team received a number of grants in March, and we are excited to tell you about them!
First, we are thrilled to announce that MPDC has been selected as a
Boston Children’s Hospital funded partner
. This grant is part of Boston Children’s Hospital’s distribution of
$5 million to 16 funded partners
through its
Collaboration for Community Health
. MPDC will receive $75,000 per year for the next three years to expand opportunities for MPDC residents and other community members to receive trauma supports in trusted community spaces, like
The Dewitt Center
, and strengthen MPDC’s community trauma response capacity. We are excited about this opportunity to work with Boston Children’s to improve the health and well-being of children, youth, and families!
Lastly, on Monday, March 18, MPDC participated in the grantee orientation hosted by
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
for its
new cohort of 2019
Healthy Food Fund
partner organizations
. We look forward to the next three years of partnership with the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation as we grow the impact of our community gardens and the capacity of residents and volunteers.
Are you interested in joining the partners above in supporting the amazing work happening at MPDC?
Consider becoming a donor today!
Contact Resource Development Manager,
Kay Mathew
, to learn more about the impact your gift can have.
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Summer Youth Employment Program
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MPDC is
now accepting applications for our 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
!
Our unique summer youth employment program is designed to train youth in
work readiness
,
life skills
,
personal development
,
finance
,
and more while they are on their journey towards viable employment. Youth attend weekly workshops at MPDC to ensure that they are fully engaged in their professional training and development. With over
50 employment sites
, youth have a variety of choices that align with their desired career, creative, educational, or recreational goals. Whether its health, sports, education, retail, or arts,
we have a job suitable for all youth!
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Join
Danza Orgánica
for an
unparalleled feast of music, dance, film, circus arts, & media arts!
WHEN:
April 5 - 6
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
We Create has become a favorite in the Massachusetts arts community! The first week of April, Boston comes alive as a vibrant city committed to the support of self-identified women and gender non-conforming artists.
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14th Annual Cape Verdean - Jewish Passover Seder
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Enjoy an evening celebrating the Cape Verdean and the Jewish community.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 10
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
At this special Seder share the liberation stories and songs of both Jews and Kabuverdianus and explore the histories & cultures of both groups.
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Fair Housing Free Open House
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Join the
City of Boston
for a day of connecting constituents and Boston housing service providers.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 13
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
At this event, you can connect with Boston’s housing service providers and learn about Boston’s affordable housing, home buying options,
credit building, housing discrimination, and much more!
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Celebrity Series Boston presents:
The Jason Palmer Quintet with FunkAcademy
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WHEN:
Sunday, April 13
3:00 pm
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
Internationally-acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and educator Jason Palmer has played with many all-time greats and current stars and has appeared on over forty albums as a sideman and eight as a leader.
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Aging in Community: Senior Resource Fair
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A special day for our senior community!
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 23
8:30 am - 11:30 am
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
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Men of Color Wellness Summit
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WHEN:
Saturday, April 27
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury)
This event is to raise awareness in black and brown communities about mental health; as it pertains to men of color.
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MPDC's 2019 OSHA-10 Classes
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Need your OSHA-10 Certification? MPDC can help!
WHEN:
April 29 - 30
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury)
Sign up for training with MPDC to receive your OSHA-10 certification for only $10.
Space is limited.
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