Save the date for Sparks! MPDC's Annual Fundraising Gala |
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Madison Park Development Corporation is very excited to announce this year's Sparks! Gala will be held on November 16th, 2023, at historic Hibernian Hall!
We are thrilled to welcome back our friends and supporters and look forward to an evening of bow ties, with the return of our creative black-tie optional dress code; bubbles, with a beverage menu focused on supporting BIPOC-owned and operated companies (shout out to The Urban Grape!); and building community, through meaningful awards, exciting performances, nearly a dozen local food vendors, and, of course, dancing to live music by Angelena & The Unit!
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 save the date for the evening of November 16th, 2023.
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
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An exhilarating Summer for MPDC Youth |
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This year's Summer Youth Employment Program participants engaged in a diverse range of CPXs (enrichment courses), including American Sign Language, Gardening in the 21st Century, Acting & Cinematography, Justice and Law, and more. The Youth Development team at MPDC meticulously crafted these programs to provide them with alternative skills not typically found in conventional educational settings.
MPDC's Summer Youth Employment Program contributed to and helped organize events such as MPDC's Annual July 4th BBQ, National Night Out, The Dewitt Center Senior Fashion Show, Senior Prom, and more.
During the NAACP convention, MPDC was proudly represented by Summer Youth Workforce Ambassadors Jayda Moore and Nasir Hibbert. They shared their perspectives at the "Taste of Black Boston" event hosted by Freedom House and the Union of Minority Neighborhoods.
Adding a touch of leisure and rejuvenation, the staff and interns enjoyed an outing to the Zoo Lights exhibition at Franklin Park Zoo, arranged by MPDC's Health and Wellness team.
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Congrats to MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program Grads! |
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MPDC's Opportunity Employment Program (OEP) proudly honored the achievements of six graduates who demonstrated unwavering determination in attaining their High School Equivalency Diploma (HiSet). A heartwarming ceremony occurred at Hibernian Hall, where parents, family members, and MPDC staff joined in celebrating. Despite facing challenges, these youth exhibited remarkable resilience and refused to give up.
The Opportunity Employment Program offers adaptable and supportive pathways to fulfill the requirements for HiSet. To learn more about how OEP provides these valuable opportunities, please visit the OEP page here.
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Celebrate one year of Roxbury Roots |
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Celebrate one year of "Roxbury Roots" with Hibernian Hall on August 19th, 2023!
Allow the night to take you through many human experiences filled with laughter, tears, and truth. Each story is unique, and each voice is authentic. Be sure to stick around after the storytelling for food, refreshments, and prizes.
"Roxbury Roots" was created by Haris Lefteri (Creative Director of Hibernian Hall) and Leslie Stafford (Health Equity & Wellness Coordinator), both of whom wanted to give a platform to the adventurers and the storytellers. It opened in August 2022 and, due to popular demand, has remained a returning highlight of Hibernian Hall's programming.
When: Saturday, August 19th, 2023; from 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
Where: Hibernian Hall (located at 184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
Cost: $10 (all proceeds will go to charity!)
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Kids rule the garden this summer at MPDC |
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The inception of the Kids' Garden Club dates back to the Summer of 2018, initiated by parents, grandparents, and dedicated gardeners who posed the question of how children could be involved in the garden. With a clear vision, purpose, and objective, MPDC transformed this idea into reality. The journey commenced with a comprehensive survey, followed by the development of a structured curriculum that laid the foundation for the Kids' Garden Club to serve participants aged from 2 to 14.
Within the nurturing environment of the Garden Club, multiple generations of families come together to embark on a shared learning experience. This year the Summer Youth Employment Program was welcomed into the garden and enabled youth to participate in various volunteer projects.
The Kids' Garden Club is more than just a space for gardening – it's a platform for shared learning, intergenerational exchange, and the cultivation of skills that extend beyond the garden's boundaries.
For more information on community gardening, contact Leslie Stafford, Health Equity and Wellness Manager,
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Gearing up to Get Out The Vote |
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As the upcoming election season draws near, MPDC's community members and partner organizations are uniting to spearhead Get Out The Vote initiatives in Roxbury. MPDC's Civic and Resident Engagement team equips residents with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in civic matters during and after elections.
Kicking off this season, MPDC introduced a two-part Civic Engagement Training Series. Over these two sessions, participants collaboratively identified community concerns, formulated actionable plans to address them, created informative legislative fact sheets, and gained insight into sustaining an active role in local government and the community.
MPDC is invigorated to immerse residents in upcoming government processes such as the Participatory Budget. The Participatory Budget allocation increased from $2 million to $4 million, and now the community holds the power to direct a portion of these funds toward causes they believe matter. This collaborative effort delved into the progress of the Better Budget Alliance and Participatory Budget, reinforcing MPDC's dedication to effective community involvement.
Stay tuned for upcoming voter engagement opportunities! Many volunteer opportunities – from door-knocking and phone banking to tabling – will take place in the community soon.
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The Dewitt Center had a joyous July! |
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The Dewitt Center became a fashion hub on Saturday, July 8th, hosting The Senior Showcase, a special event produced by Meaningful Occasions. This showcase was integral to a three-part event series curated for seniors. The series kicked off with the Senior Tech Class supported by MPDC and Santander Bank.
The visionary behind the Dewitt Senior Style Showcase is MPDC resident Lascene Hooker with assistance from the MPDC Summer Youth Employment Program and sponsors Foodies Market and Zeola Home Care. The event boasted various fashion styles, from elegant after-5 attire and laid-back casual wear to Sunday's best. With the support of MPDC Seniors, the gym came to life with over 100 guests.
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The 2nd Annual 3W Conference took place at the Dewitt Center on Saturday, July 15th, offering a space for empowerment and community connection.
In partnership with Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia, MPDC staff collaborated to bring 70 community members together to share resources on last-minute summer job opportunities and mental health resources. Over 15 vendor tables convened to distribute information on employment prospects for individuals of all ages, financial literacy, life insurance, and alternative education.
The conference featured a panel discussion on mental health, cultivating a positive mindset, job preparedness, real estate ventures, entrepreneurial pursuits, and the significance of building generational wealth.
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This Summer, from July 6th to August 18th, the Dewitt Center is hosting the Next Leadership Development Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower and equip youth with essential skills. The program takes a comprehensive approach encompassing climate resilience, crisis leadership, and the art of filmmaking for youth and young adults ages 14 to 24.
Participants engage in an immersive learning experience guided by community guest speakers who share knowledge about the impact of climate change on the community. Participants are equipped with the skills to navigate emergencies and crises, emerging as leaders who can offer support and guidance during trying times.
As a culmination of their experiences, participants create a short film exploring how these topics intersect with and influence the community.
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As always, MPDC could not advance its comprehensive community development efforts without the support of a robust network of committed funders and donors! As we move through yet another action-packed vibrant summer season of programming and events, we would like to highlight funders who make that work possible:
- Boston State Community Trust
- City of Boston Age Strong Commission
- City of Boston Office of Youth Employment & Opportunity
- Department of Public Health- Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- John Hancock MLK Scholars
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NeighborWorks America
- MassHousing
- Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
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Thank you to MPDC's July 2023 Newsletter Contributors |
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Allison Anderson
Erica Davis
Kelly Lydon
Leslie Stafford
Meghan Higgins
Yhinny Matos
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS |
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Resident Association Meetings for Madison Park Village are held monthly on Tuesdays.
September 12th
Please join us at The Dewitt Center (122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury) from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
If a meeting is rescheduled, it will be the following Tuesday.
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MPDC x IMSO
Food Pantry @ The Dewitt Center
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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
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3 on 3 Summer League @ The Dewitt Center |
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WHEN: Mondays, July 10th to August 31st
WHERE: The Dewitt Center
(122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA)
Join The Dewitt Center for 3×3 Basketball! Are you up for the challenge? Sign up to play!
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Summer Youth Employment Program
Closeout Celebration
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WHEN: Wednesday, July 16th
4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
Join MPDC to celebrate the accomplishments of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participants, site supervisors, and facilitators.
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WHEN: Thursday, August 17th
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
WHERE: Hibernian Hall
(184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119)
No Trauma, No Drama (NTND) is a youth-led mental health event held throughout the year. NTND serves as a space for Roxbury and Greater Boston youth to gather together, find community, and discuss issues that impact their communities as well as themselves.
Enjoy FREE interactive activities, games, giveaways, and resources!
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New Beginnings Community Resource Fair |
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WHEN: Saturday, August 19th
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
WHERE: Grove Hall - Dorchester
(corners of Warren Street and Crawford Street)
New Beginnings Re-Entry Services invites you to join them for their Community Resource Fair. Get first-hand access to employers, employment opportunities, professional development tools, and so much more!
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