September 2023 @ MPDC
Tickets are on sale NOW for
Sparks!
MPDC's Annual Fundraising Gala
You are cordially invited to
Sparks!
Bow Ties, Bubbles, and Building Community
MPDC's Annual Fundraising Gala

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

6:30 pm - 9:30 pm 
Hibernian Hall Ballroom
184 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119

Madison Park Development Corporation welcomes you to a festive, creative, black tie (*OPTIONAL*) gala at Hibernian Hall! Enjoy an evening building community through meaningful awards, exciting performances, nearly a dozen local food & beverage stations, and, of course, dancing!
**Please wear WHATEVER you'd like!**

TICKETS
Individual Ticket - $100
Seniors & Students - $25

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY

MPDC'S 2023 HONOREES

EMBRACING PROMISE AWARD
Kadidiatou Ba  
MPDC Resident & Youth Workforce Program Participant

EDNA V. BYNOE NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPION AWARD
Peggy Holt
Orchard Gardens Resident & Vice President of Orchard Gardens Resident Association


2023 COMMUNITY CATALYST AWARDS
Ekua Holmes
Roxbury-born mixed-media artist, children's book illustrator, and community arts leader

Leslie Stafford
MPDC Health Equity & Wellness Manager


We are also excited to once again be able to offer all of our sponsors Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC). Through the CITC program, donors who contribute to community development organizations like MPDC can receive a 50% state tax rebate on donations of $1,000 or more.
 
Please join us on November 16th, 2023.
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program kicks off Fall with HiSET
In September, twelve motivated HiSET students attended the orientation at MPDC.

The MPDC Opportunity Employment Program (OEP) team was on hand to guide these aspiring learners through the program's policies, standards, and available resources.

It was an inspiring event, offering students a sneak peek into what the upcoming Fall term has in store for them and how OEP is committed to supporting their educational journey. 

Curious to learn more about MPDC's HiSET program?
Don't hesitate to express your interest by filling out our online form below. MPDC looks forward to helping more individuals achieve their educational and career goals!
Roxbury Sunflower Project's
Seeds of Wisdom Garden Party
On Friday, September 22, 2023, MPDC united with partners at 639 Warren Street for a heartwarming celebration marking the end of the inaugural season of the Roxbury Sunflower Project at the Grove Hall Sunflower Garden.

Community members were graced with perfect weather as they gathered for the festivities, which included live music from The Makanda Project, a poetry reading, dinner from Mig's Dogs and Irie Jamaican Style Restaurant, and a speaking program, including MPDC's Vice President of Real Estate Intiya Ambrogi-Isaza.

The vacant lot at 639 Warren Street inspired Ekua Holmes's vision for the Sunflower Project many years ago. This summer, it was MPDC's privilege to collaborate with her, along with the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Friends of Martin's Park, the United Neighbors of Lower Roxbury, and other partners, to enhance the beauty of this site.

The partnership at the Grove Hall Sunflower Garden is a direct outcome of MPDC's proactive community outreach efforts at 639 Warren. As MPDC prepares for the eventual development of a new building on this site, all community members are invited to participate in a collective visioning process for the upcoming project.

To provide your input on what MPDC should build at the 639 Warren site, please take a moment to fill out a brief survey here. For any questions or to schedule a discussion, contact Josh McLinden, Project Manager for 639 Warren.
A grand finale to year five at
MPDC's Hope Community Garden
Many thanks to The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's continued partnership for helping to make year five of MPDC's garden season a success. This summer's focus was on volunteer projects to beautify the Hope Community Garden, which holds a special spot in the hearts of MPDC residents and the wider community.

Here's a glimpse of this summer's accomplishments:
  1. Garden Cleanup and Preparation: Gardeners of all ages and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to clean up the garden, ensuring it was ready to flourish during the fall and spring seasons.
  2. Harvesting for Good: Dedicated volunteers and the MPDC team came together to harvest hundreds of pounds of fresh, nutritious food from the garden. This bountiful harvest was distributed to residents and community members who needed it most.
  3. Sharing the Bounty: In addition to the physical harvest, gardeners took the opportunity to create recipes and share the garden's treasures with families facing food insecurity. This not only nourished their bodies but also their spirits.

The collective efforts of all our volunteers and funders, including The Federal Reserve, resulted in a remarkable achievement - a harvest worth over $200 in September alone. 

MPDC is grateful for The Federal Reserve's unwavering support over the years. Each year, their dedicated volunteer team has played an increasingly pivotal role in MPDC's mission to enrich the community. 
The Dewitt Center had a Super September!
The Dewitt Center has lots planned for this Fall!
Check out the latest catalog and #DoItAtTheDewitt here.
Right to The City Boston recently held its Leadership Assembly at The Dewitt Center. During this event, they worked to strengthen their organizational strategy using grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making. The assembly was deemed a great success with approximately 40 participants, including staff and member leaders from their coalition steering organizations.

Right to the City Boston's mission is to unite base-building groups across Boston to form a unified response to the displacement crisis and to change the terms of the urban policy debate. Their core principles revolve around the right to stable housing, the right to a healthy environment, the right to economic justice, and the right to public goods.
Opportunity Communities, The Neighborhood Developers, and Urban Edge have taken a significant step in addressing the racial opportunity gap within real estate development through the launch of the Fellowship for Equitable Affordable Housing Development (FEAHD), which commenced at The Dewitt Center in September. This groundbreaking initiative aims to create positive change in the field.

The inaugural cohort of Fellows and their host community development corporations (CDCs) embarked on a one-week orientation that marked the beginning of their two-year journey within the program. During their fellowship, participants will gain invaluable practical experience in the field, receive skills training, benefit from mentorship, and access peer support. This holistic approach is designed to equip Fellows for fulfilling careers that contribute to creating affordable homes, commercial spaces, and more resilient communities.

Through initiatives like FEAHD, these organizations are actively working towards a future where opportunities in real estate development are more equitable, inclusive, and accessible to all.
PureSpark's "Back to School Wellness" event, hosted at the Dewitt Center on Saturday, September 23rd, helped community members transition into the new academic year.

Attendees connected with wellness practitioners, learned stress management, explored job opportunities for youth, and found community support resources. Over 50 community members benefited from this empowering event.
The Lower Roxbury Coalition (LRC) is a community organization comprising of various stakeholders, including providers, leaders, advocates, and residents. Their shared mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Lower Roxbury neighborhoods through collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Recently, The Dewitt Center hosted the LRC Wellness Initiative Parent Conference. This event aimed to provide essential resources and support to parents as they navigated the summer season and prepared for a successful school year.
The conference featured workshops, activities, community organizations, giveaways, and valuable resources such as parental support, continuing education, housing, and self-care. It was a collective effort to empower parents and strengthen the Lower Roxbury community.
Roxbury, its time to VOTE!
Resident volunteers and Youth Peer Health Leaders came together this September with a common goal: to drive voter engagement in preparation for the upcoming General Municipal Election on November 7th. Their efforts include disseminating crucial information about polling locations, important dates, and deadlines and assisting community members in the voter registration process.

Please join MPDC on October 14th and October 28th, from 11 AM to 2 PM, at The Dewitt Center for door-knocking activities and providing vital voter information to our local community.

October 28th marks the final day to register to vote in the General Municipal Election, making these events an excellent opportunity to ensure our community's voice is heard loud and clear.

You can also join MPDC for "Make the Call Mondays" leading up to the election to conduct phone banking to increase outreach.

Stay engaged throughout this election season and beyond. You can participate in phone banking, door knocking, or receive biweekly updates. For more information, please get in touch with Allison Anderson at 617-386-2025.

Your involvement makes a difference!
Thank you to MPDC's September 2023 Newsletter Contributors
Allison Anderson
Carlos Taveras
Joshua McLinden
Kelly Lydon
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Zeyanna Defortunato
MPDC x IMSO
Food Pantry @ The Dewitt Center
WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY of each month
11:00 am

WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

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.

For more information, please contact IMSO at
[email protected] or call 617.442.2805.
Family Game Nights @ The Dewitt Center
WHEN: Tuesday, October 24th
4 pm - 7 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

Join us for an evening of interactive and entertaining games to bring families together for quality bonding time. With an array of games suitable for all ages, our Family Game Nights promise to be an unforgettable experience for everyone. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or just looking for a fun family outing, this event promises an evening of memorable moments and shared joy.
MPDC's Young Ladies Empowerment Group
WHEN: October 2nd to November 30th
4 pm - 7 pm
WHERE: MPDC Offices
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)

Get ready to share stories and advice with like-minded young women. These sessions are designed to be a platform to empower young women.
MPDC's Women's Health and Wellness
'Shop' Table Talk
WHEN: October 2nd to November 30th
4 pm - 7 pm
WHERE: MPDC Offices
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)

Engage in transparent communication on health disparities, sexual health, and mental health. Black and Brown, as well as the Migrant community, but everyone is encouraged to join the space and the “SHOP” Table Talk conversation!
NBA 2K and Madden Gaming Tournament
@ The Dewitt Center
WHEN: Friday, October 27th
4 pm - 7 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

Join The Dewitt Center for NBA 2K and NFL (Madden) Gaming Tournaments this October! Gear up for an action-packed weekend filled with two of the most popular sports video games — NBA 2K and Madden NFL. Get ready to showcase your gaming skills, compete against other enthusiasts, and seize the chance to emerge victorious!
4 on 4 Fall League @ The Dewitt Center
WHEN: Thursday, October 26th
4 pm - 7 pm
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

Join The Dewitt Center for 4×4 Basketball! Are you up for the challenge? Sign up to play!
MPDC's Healthcare Support Services Training Program
WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from October 17th to November 16th
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

WHERE: MPDC Offices
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)

This exclusive, paid opportunity allows individuals to jumpstart their careers at Boston Children's Hospital, receive in-person and online employment support/resources, and get hands-on experience alongside patient professionals.
MPDC's Harvest Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday, October 31st
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

 Enjoy games, crafts, activities, food, music, and a festive atmosphere at The Dewitt Center!
UNCF Returning to Our Roots Gospel Brunch
WHEN: Saturday, November 11th
11:00 am to 1:30 pm

WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF's support, become highly qualified college graduates and ensure that their member institution network is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.
Laughs and Vibes Comedy Show
@ Hibernian Hall
WHEN: Saturday, November 11th
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

COST: $25 — $35

WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)

NuevaYol, Tommy 5000, and Ivan Manito from New York City are bringing their Touring Comedy “Show Laughs & Vibes” to Boston.
3rd Annual Lower Roxbury Coalition Community Resource Fair @ The Dewitt Center
WHEN: Saturday, November 18th
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)

Face painting, games, music, and snacks will be provided. PLUS, there'll be FREE giveaways of diapers, toiletries, toys, clothing, and so much more.