MPDC hosts Holiday Toy Drive in collaboration with Life Science Cares! |
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MPDC staff and Youth Employment Program volunteers greet a volunteer from Xilio Therapeutics |
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On Saturday, December 18, MPDC held its second annual Holiday Gift Giveaway with Life Science Cares (LSC). The event toook place in conjunction with WinnResidential's annual Toys for Tots giveaway. Thanks to holiday gift donations provided by nearly a dozen LSC corporate partners, as well as support from MPDC staff, youth, WinnResidential, and community volunteers, MPDC was able to provide holiday gifts to nearly 600 children and youth in MPDC affordable housing properties in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and the South End. This year's event was particularly special, as we were able to once again welcome families in person to come to pick up their gifts and see the excitement as children received their toys. We were also thrilled to be able to coordinate this event with a food pantry and COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Dewitt Center during the same time, leveraging this important community facility to meet the needs of our families.
MPDC would like to extend a special thank you to the following groups and individuals who made this joyful event such a success:
Participating Life Science Cares 2021 Holiday Helpers companies, including Addgene, Akili Interactive, Atalanta Therapeutics, Cerevel Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, Glympse Bio, Halloran Consulting Group, Kiniska Pharmaceuticals, MassBio, Visterra, and Xilio Therapeutics.
MPDC Youth Employment Program volunteers, Leslie Reid, Dr. Ingrid Tucker, Dwayne Watts, Javier Gutierrez, Yhinny Matos, Leslie Stafford, Tahara Samuel, Lyndon Vincent, Meg Reagon, Kyle Miller, Tatianna Bates, Steven Turner, Justina Thompson, Kelly Ransom, Erica Davis, The Dewitt Center staff, Stephanie Nieves, Angel W., WinnResidential, and Connected Communities Team.
THANK YOU!
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MPDC organizes the 600+ gifts donated by LSC corporate partners |
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MPDC welcomes volunteers from Halloran Consulting Group! |
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OEP Job Readiness Program Trainees finish out 2021 with success! |
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OEP recently wrapped up its 3rd Starbucks Job Readiness Training cohort, and there was lots to celebrate this holiday season! According to numbers collected by OEP staff and coordinators, 12 individuals completed the program, 7 obtained their Servsafe Food Handling Certificate, and 4 accepted offers at Starbucks stores throughout Boston! MPDC is so proud of its OEP participants, and we look forward to seeing this success continue in 2022.
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MPDC's Youth Workforce Team celebrates the holiday season with Northeastern University |
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On Friday, December 17th, MPDC’s Youth Workforce Team celebrated the holidays at Northeastern University’s NEU Crossing. Over 30 youth and young adults celebrated the holiday safely while engaging in fun activities including a game of bingo, ornament challenge painting, festive food, and of course gift-giving.
Special thanks to Dave Isberg and Carl Barrows of Northeastern University for the space and swag!
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Teen Taco Tuesday with MPDC's After-School Youth Employment Program |
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MPDC's After-School Youth Employment Program had an amazing Teen Taco Tuesday during the month of December. All items were organic, light in calories but heavy in flavor! Youth enjoyed healthy options such as low carb, low-fat chicken, lime-cilantro brown rice, rich homemade salsa, and even lovely olive rice made by our very own Leslie Stafford. Yummmm!
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MPDC's Monthly Mental Health Reminder for the new year! |
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MPDC's Community Support Team shares a Mental Health Reminder for December. We urge our MPDC family and community to prioritize their mental health always! As you navigate day-to-day responsibilities, MPDC is here to remind you to practice self-care in every single way, especially as we all usher in the new year! Please be sure to follow along with MPDC's mental health social media pages on Instagram and Facebook! They'll be sharing mental health tips, tricks, check-ins, and skills weekly. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for other mental health resources via their pages as well!
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Thank you to our November 2021
Newsletter Contributors!
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Arianna Guiseppone
Carlos Taveras
Erica Davis
Justina Thompson
Kelly Ransom
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Yhinny Matos
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MPDC's January Food Pantry |
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WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(located at 122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120)
WHEN: Every 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 AM to 1 PM
(for this month, January 1st and 15th)
The Dewitt Center and the Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO) host their monthly food pantry on December 4th. 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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Move for Charity at Hibernian Hall |
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WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(located at 184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
WHEN: January 22nd, 2022 (10 am - 11 am)
Hibernian Hall invites you to our epic workout with a cause! Join us for 45 minutes of full-body balanced workout combining cardio, conditioning, and strength training with live music by DJ Rilla Force! Bring water and a yoga mat and join in the fun. All levels welcome!
*Mats will be available to rent for $1 at Hibernian Hall — first come first serve.*
*In accordance with the city of Boston's new mandate — proof of vaccination is required to participate.*
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