2451 Washington St. & Haynes House Virtual Ribbon Cutting |
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Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) and project partners hosted a dual virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony for 2451 Washington Street, 16 new homeownership opportunities, and the completion of the renovation of 131 apartments at The Haynes House. In addition to project partners, Mayor Kim Janey and Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi George offered remarks regarding the two projects and assisted with the interactive virtual ribbon-cutting.
MPDC's CEO Leslie Reid voiced, "At this moment, with racial disparities revealed so starkly, it is significant to offer homeownership and wealth-building opportunities in the Roxbury community. MPDC's mission is to create a vibrant, healthy community, and that means ensuring our residents have access to the stability and asset building inherent in homeownership."
2451 Washington Street was developed in partnership with the City of Boston and Carpenter & Company through the City's Inclusionary Development Policy. Other partners include the Plymouth Rock Assurance Foundation, Boston Private, DREAM Collaborative, and Essex Builders. The project's goal was to build the residents' wealth, increase community homeownership rates, free up affordable rental units for other households, and provide construction job opportunities for minority & women contractors, laborers, and local & Boston residents.
These new homes complement MPDC's homeownership project at 75 Dudley Street, the new B-2 police station, the Roxbury Boston Public Library, and Nuestra Comunidad's Bartlett Station project.
Financing for 2451 Washington Street was provided by the One Dalton partnership, Boston Private, and Plymouth Rock Foundation.
Clive, a new homeowner, and resident at 2451 Washington Street, reflects, "It was extremely important for me to find a home. The first and major reason is to have a foundation for my personal life. People worry about their work-life but tend to forget about having a mental and physically safe space. Now, I won't be forced out of my living situation due to someone having that power." He mentions, "MPDC has had the most important impact in my home buying process. Without the First Time Homebuyers Program, I would be looking for a home 20+ miles away from the city that I have given so much to, which I grew up in and never left. It feels great to have the opportunity to stay and have my own home because of MPDC."
In addition to completing 2451 Washington Street, MPDC modernized and preserved the affordable rental homes at the Haynes House, a 131-unit apartment building at Madison Park Village. Modernization included renovating the building exterior, upgrading the building systems, improvements for the unit interiors, and the construction of handicapped units to meet the needs of current and future residents.
The Haynes House Apartments Renovation was made possible in partnership with Davis Square Architects, Dellbrook JKS, CS2C/NE, Winn Residential, Judy Cohn Relocation, New Ecology Inc., and the residents of Haynes House.
Financing for The Haynes House Apartments Renovation was provided by MassHousing, Redstone Equity Partners, and the MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Thank you to everyone who attended!
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'Smoked Oysters' premieres at
Hibernian Hall
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Hibernian Hall's production of "Smoked Oysters" premiered during the weekend of September 17th. The show, written by playwright-in-residence Mary M. McCullough, tells the story of members of a loving and successful black family who experience unexpected challenges. Ulysses, a retired black history professor, refuses to leave his house, even to get the smoked oysters his wife, Arnetta, won't buy him. She is busy planning their dream trip, a safari in Kenya. Bernard, their ambitious son, asserts that his father's contrary behaviors are not typical and that his mother should take him to see a doctor. When tragedy strikes, Bernard is the one who must make a difficult decision. Stay tuned for "Smoked Oysters" online available on Youtube during November.
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MPDC Youth Workforce
announcements & updates
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MPDC’s Youth Workforce (YWF) team has begun conducting interviews with youth ages 14 through 19 for the After School Youth Employment Program (AYEP). AYEP serves youth in high school ages 14-19, focusing on increasing school attachment and pairs them with engaging workshops, training, and a paid internship during the school year. The program will begin in October. MPDC's Youth Workforce team is not only about inspiring Boston’s youth, but also about giving back! This year, as we ease back into being in-person, youth will be focusing on volunteerism. The YWF team loves to volunteer at the Haynes House and prepare grocery bags for MPDC residents and seniors. For more information about how to get involved, contact Yhinny Matos.
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MPDC's 55th Anniversary Mural at Nubian Square Gateway |
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Summer 2021 saw an enormous amount of joyful activity to celebrate MPDC'S 55th Anniversary here in Nubian Square, including the creation by six Summer Youth Employment Students of a grand mural now hanging at 9 Williams Street. The 30 ft mobile mural is an homage to Roxbury and the founding of MPDC by community leaders. Working with three muralists, who are artist-educators, youth learned about the history of the neighborhood, the founding of MPDC, and the impact that individuals make on the life of a community, transforming those stories into a work of art. Special thanks to Geo Ortega, Luis Tafaro, and James Pierre, who guided the project as teachers, mentors, and artists!
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A sweet end to summer with the Kids' Garden Club |
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The summer at the Hope Community Garden, The Kids' Garden Club learned how to grow the vegetables (some they like and some they don't like!), social-emotional skills, price comparison, weighing vegetables, and how to harvest the food they grow.
The Health & Wellness Team will open registration for Hope Community Garden starting in January of 2022. For more information please contact Leslie Stafford.
See you next year!
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#DoItAtTheDewitt this Fall! |
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Senior fitness classes are back at The Dewitt Center! Check out the classes every Thursday from 10 am to 11 am. This course offers a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, including work with chair exercise drills with hand-held weights, elastic bands, and exercise balls. No fitness experience is needed! Please be sure to check out the website as programs and events are updated and added daily.
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MPDC x Life Science Cares Mini-Golf Tournament |
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MPDC was thrilled to participate in a TEE-rific partner event in September! MPDC staff joined the Life Science Cares’ Mini Golf for Good tournament, where hundreds of LSC members played their way through 27 unique, custom-designed mini-golf holes, inspired by the missions of each LSC community partner, all while raising money to support LSC’s mission and the visions of organizations like MPDC. We are grateful for Life Science Cares’ ongoing support (and for ensuring MPDC had one of the most fabulous mini-golf holes at the event!).
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MPDC's new Mental Health
social media pages
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MPDC's Community Support Team is happy to announce that MPDC's Mental Health team has launched their official social media pages! These social platforms have been created to provide support to our growing MPDC community. Mental health is critical within all spaces! Please follow along on Instagram and Facebook. They'll be sharing mental health tips, tricks, check-ins, and skills throughout the year!
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Special visitors at the
Hope Community Garden
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MPDC's Health & Wellness Team welcomed youth workforce farmers from New Haven, Connecticut, to the Hope Community Garden. MPDC youth leader Steven Turner spoke about youth leadership, food security in Roxbury, and the importance of gardening to Boston's history.
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Congratulations, Yhinny Matos! |
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Boston City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia's office recognized 'Boston's Finest' in September to honor leaders who have worked diligently to serve Boston's most vulnerable residents during COVID-19. MPDC's Youth Workforce Manager, Yhinny Matos, was recognized for all the fantastic work she has done for Boston's youth and MPDC. Congratulations, Yhinny!
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Thank you to our September 2021
Newsletter Contributors!
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Arianna Guiseppone
Arlene Baldwin
Justina Thompson
Kay Mathew
Kelly Ransom
Leslie Reid
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Yhinny Matos
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Sparks for Arts: 55th Gala Celebration |
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Registration is now open!
WHEN: Thursday, November 18th
6:30 pm
WHERE: On Zoom
Join us to celebrate MPDC's 55th Anniversary virtually with performances, surprises, Community Catalyst Awards, and the premiere of our 55th Anniversary mini-documentary on Thursday, November 18th, 2021.
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Programs at the Dewitt Center |
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The Dewitt Center returns with exciting new programs this Fall!
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA, 02120
The Dewitt Center is now offering a wide range of classes, workshops, and programs for people of all ages! We are happy to introduce new Health & Wellness classes, Education & Civic Engagement sessions, and Arts and Education workshops this fall. Please check out the website for more information and scheduling.
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