In memory of Valerie Shelley |
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Valerie (Val) Shelley was born May 20, 1948, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was an original Orchard Park Resident. She worked for the School Department for over 40 years and played a vital role in the busing desegregation in 1974. Ms. Shelley moved back to what is now known as Orchard Garden Estates in 1999 at her sister Edna V. Bynoe's request. Edna is responsible for Orchard Gardens being the significant development it is today. After her sister's death, Valerie vowed to continue the hard work her sister started and ensure her legacy remained at the forefront. In 2013, Valerie became the President of the Orchard Gardens Resident Association.
Valerie's commitment to public service and the overall well-being of her community was relentless. Her love for the community was unwavering, and she continued to serve during the COVID-19 Pandemic. From High school seniors' graduation, Mother's Day, Easter, and Back to School giveaways, Val ensured all special occasions continued to be recognized and celebrated. Giving up was not an option for Val. That's who Val Shelley was. She fought for affordable housing, equitable resources for tenants, and a positive living experience for everyone in her community.
It is MPDC's privilege to have worked alongside Val all these years, especially in Orchard Gardens. We are so grateful for what she and her entire family have given to our community. We were honored to host her overwhelmingly attended repast at Hibernian Hall.
We look forward to finding meaningful ways to continue and honor her legacy. She will be deeply missed.
Rest in power, Val.
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Join us on
November 17th for Sparks!
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Next week, MPDC is very excited to invite you to Sparks! on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at Hibernian Hall!
We are thrilled to welcome back our friends and supporters and look forward to an evening of celebration, outstanding performances, and connection.
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY
Cornell Coley
Kim Tavar
VLA DANCE
Alondra Bobadilla
The Fred Woodard Collective
and your host George (Chip) Greenidge, Jr.
WITH CATERING AND BEVERAGES PROVIDED BY
Ethnica Catering
and more!
MPDC'S 2022 HONOREES
EMBRACING PROMISE AWARD
Boston Children’s Hospital’s Office of Community Health
EDNA V. BYNOE NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPION AWARD
Hugh Johnson
Village In Progress Block Captain and Haynes House resident
2022 COMMUNITY CATALYST AWARDS
Tito Jackson
CEO, Verdant Medical - Former Boston City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate
Yhinny Matos
MPDC Youth Workforce Development Manager
Xiomara Alicea
Orchard Gardens Resident Service Coordinator
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
MPDC x P3 Roxbury: Our Commitment to Building Wealth in Roxbury
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84 Warren receives ZBA approval |
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MPDC and our partners at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval of 84 Warren St (17 Warren Place) on October 25th. With the approval of the Zoning Board of Appeals, we are one step closer to being able to build out this site to include 65 homes (including 22 homeownership opportunities and 43 rental units) and a new office and community space for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. We are now focused on the financing needed to make this project a reality.
We thank the 60+ community members who provided comments and support letters!
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MPDC keeps Roxbury civically engaged! |
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Hibernian Hall transformed for ALIVE
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Hibernian Hall and VLA DANCE brought ALIVE to life in October: The beautiful production was a dance theater experience with immersive elements, live music, awe-inspiring visuals, and costumes. Sight, sound, and motion pulled audience members into a world of excitement, joy, and triumph. With a cast of 11 performers, ALIVE explored the dreamy journey of Ayo, guided by Ubuntu, as they followed their heartbeat.
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The Dewitt Center had an outgoing October! |
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Roxbury Open Studios is an annual art showcase event that took place for two days during the first week of October at The Dewitt Center. The artists displayed their exquisite work and had the opportunity to sell their pieces. Please come to the next holiday art exhibit on December 10th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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On October 2nd, National Conviction Day was held at the Dewitt Center, hosted by New England Innocence Project. The community gathered to raise awareness about wrongfully incarcerated individuals. Guest speakers and performances included exoneree Robert Foxworth, State Representative Liz Miranda, poet Michelle Garcia Fresco, and music group Grooversity.
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Senior Bingo has officially kicked off at The Dewitt Center! Participants enjoyed food from Lilly's Gourmet Pasta Express during October's meet-up and played for various prizes. The next Senior Bingo event will be on November 16th from 2 pm to 4 pm.
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Calling all Roxbury community members, please come to The Dewitt Center for open gym and Teen Room hangouts! The gym is available Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; the Teen Room is open Monday to Friday, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Saturdays, both spaces are available from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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On October 31st, MPDC and The Dewitt Center hosted a Harvest Celebration and welcomed guests of all ages in costume. The event featured music, a doughnut eating contest, musical chairs, a photo booth, chess games, and tons of candy and pizza.
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Updates from MPDC's Community Support Team |
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MPDC's Community Support team attended the Community Resource Fair on October 13th at the Reggie Lewis Center with over 60 other community agencies. The team made connections with over fifty residents!
On October 17th, Wilbur Smart, MPDC's Community Support Program Manager, met with the Mayor's Youth Council's Community Engagement and Safety Committee. The youth asked many questions about MPDC's work and how they could support and learn from us.
On October 20th, Wilbur, a member of the Mayor's MASS & CASS Taskforce, attended a community press conference where Mayor Wu reported on the progress of the work being done to address the pop-up tents, homelessness, and treatment needs of the residents that make that area their home.
On October 24th, MPDC's Block Captains Hugh Johnson and Daryl Fuller were recognized for their service to the community during a celebration of men at The Dewitt Center.
Congrats, Hugh and Daryl!
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MPDC is currently hiring Block Captains! Learn more here.
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MPDC COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
Children's Services of Roxbury
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Children's Services of Roxbury (CSR) is Massachusetts' largest Black-run nonprofit organization. Now in its 50th year of service, CSR brings peace of mind to children and families across The Commonwealth through wraparound services that provide housing for homeless families, culturally attuned behavioral/mental health services, foster care for abused and neglected children, family support services, affordable childcare for low-wage families, and youth resiliency and development programs. CSR primarily serves children, youth, and families in Greater Roxbury, with statewide offices in Northampton, Tewksbury, and Worcester.
Learn more at
@CSRoxbury (on FB, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn)
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Youth and community residents gathered for the grand opening of CSR's Young Adult Access Center -- a drop-in center located at 207 Dudley Street in Roxbury, where transitional-aged youth ages 16-26 receive social and emotional supports and access to mental health services. |
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Peer leaders in CSR's youth resiliency and development program, YPP, hosted their first podcast, "The VIP Show," which airs Mondays 6-7 pm on WBCA 102.9FM |
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During the last weekend in October, Madison Park residents and staff attended The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporation's 40th Convention at Polar Park in Worcester, MA. They went alongside Dorchester Bay Economic Development residents to engage and network with others who work similarly in their communities. Our residents got to talk with Governor Baker and other attendees about gaining leadership skills to provide needed resources back to themselves and their neighbors.
Shout out to our resident attendees: Joyce Williams, Hugh Johnson, Marisol Olivera, Lascene Hooker, Stephanie Thomas, Janette Bledsoe, Alverga Buchanan, and JoAnn Willians!
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October 2022 Newsletter Contributors |
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Allison Anderson
Daria Davis-Fleming
Erica Davis
Griffin Thomas
Haris Lefteri
Kelly Ransom
Leslie Reid
Meghan Higgins
Wilbur Smart
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TACC: Roxbury Worx Conference |
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WHERE: Roxbury Community College
(l1234 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Thursday, November 10th
9 am — 3 pm
(November 19th)
ROXBURY WORX is a Roxbury-focused workforce development initiative launched by TACC and partners in Fall 2022 that will bring the untapped talent of Roxbury’s hidden workers and middle-skills workers into the talent pipeline in three expanding sectors: Bio-Tech/Life Sciences, Healthcare, and Green/Blue Tech.
Breakfast and lunch will be served.
All are welcome!
For more information, please contact
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MPDC x IMSO
Food Pantry @ The Dewitt Center
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WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(l122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 am — 1 pm
(November 19th)
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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Hibernian Hall presents
Master Playwright Readings
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WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(l122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Saturday, November 19th
12 pm - 3 pm
Lower Roxbury and Wellness Coalition Initiative are collaborating with various nonprofits to provide free food, clothes, mask, diapers, and other resources to all who attend the fair, explicitly focusing on families in need and the underserved population.
For more information, please contact LRWC at
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Hibernian Hall presents
Master Playwright Readings
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WHEN: Monday, December 5th, 2022
6 pm — 9 pm
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(1284 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
COST: Pay-What-You-Can
Join MPDC and Hibernian Hall for an evening of shared original works by local Roxbury playwrights! Hibernian Hall hosts a night of Master Playwright Readings directed by Jacqui Parker. Original works by Mary McCullough, Thelma Piere, and Felicia Wiltz will be featured. Refreshments will be served and a Q&A session will follow the readings.
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