2. MPDC receives an Urban Agenda Grant from the state in support of space build-out at 2201 Washington Street for BEST Corps hospitality worker training, with ribbon cutting and grand reception in November 2016

3. 63 Roxbury youth participate in MPDC’s Summer Youth Employment Program

4. Smith House (affordable housing for seniors 55+) takes first step of major renovation bringing universal design, modern amenities and integrated programs to ensure that residents can age in place

5. Early 20th Century-Style Marquee on Hibernian Hall announces our excellent arts programs and lights up Dudley Street at night

6. Community Action department partners with Citizens Bank providing Financial Literacy classes to participants of Youth Employment Programs

7. Ground breaking for the new Dewitt Community Center in Madison Park Village

8. The monthly Critical Breakdown series gives aspiring young musicians and performers opportunity to display their talents

9. Community Action’s Red Carpet Celebration honors community residents for their tireless work

10. A College Fair for over 100 high school students is held at Hibernian Hall

11. Oral histories become Roxbury Strong, a play by local young actors, directed by Ron Jones

12. Hibernian Hall continues as home to VerBaLizAtiOn, Boston’s longest running open mic gathering, that brings the community together for a blend of poetry, rhyme, and song

13. Weekly congregate meals program for seniors at Smith House are held, countering food insecurity and providing opportunity for socializing

14. In June, Unity Day brings together residents of MPDC properties to celebrate their neighborhood

15. MPDC awards 11 Scholarships to neighborhood college students 16. MPDC hosts the NeighborWorks Northeastern Green Convening, sharing practices for green and sustainable affordable housing

17. The Roxbury Cultural District is unanimously endorsed by the Boston City Council and supported by Mayor Walsh

18. Health + Wellness staff host film series Unnatural Causes, addressing social determinants of health

19. Hibernian Hall partners with Celebrity Series of Boston to host public performances by Quartet of Happiness, Boston Public Quartet, Guy Mendilow, and Jorge Arce

20. Local book launch party held in December to celebrate NeighborWorks’ collection of success stories featuring an article on MPDC’s + Tropical Foods’ response to neighborhood food insecurity

21. Boston voters endorse Community Preservation Act on November 8th due in part to MPDC’s Civic Engagement efforts in Roxbury

22. The Story of Rosa Parks musical performed By Mad River Theater Works + hosted by Hibernian Hall

23. RoxVote Coalition hosts winter Breakfast with Elected Public Officials, fall Candidates Forum, and Presidential Debate watch party at Hibernian Hall

24. The Friends of Melnea Cass Blvd begin bi-weekly working sessions with City of Boston to ensure high quality and community-countenanced re-design that results in true pedestrian safety, bicyclist safety and preservation of 400+ trees

25. 90 community gardeners tend plots at 3 community gardens, developing skills + helping neighbors access fresh produce

26. A second summer of Youth Basketball is hosted by MPDC’s Public Safety staff, reaching out to younger community youth

27. Senior Resource Day at Hibernian Hall sponsored by Community Action Department connects seniors to services

28. Green retro-fit and renovation continues at Madison Park Village using local minority owned business contractors

29. Annual Roxbury National Night Out Against Violence welcomes Mayor Walsh and hundreds of neighborhood residents

30. Peer Health Leaders lead 14 grocery tours at Tropical Foods helping our neighbors make wise choices for health and pocketbook

31. A re-design of MPDC’s website and logo improves communication with friends and supporters

32. MPDC is leader of Roxbury in Motion, a policy, systems, and environmental change coalition addressing healthy food access, benefits of physical activity and Complete Streets 33. MPDC at 50 – Video produced to celebrate MPDC’s 50th anniversary, click here to view

34. 15 participants in the Afterschool Youth Employment Program are given employment and leadership development during the year

35. Historic Dudley Tour is held in September for friends and community, with local historian State Representative Byron Rushing leading the way

36. The Boston Foundation helps fund Jacqui Parker’s My Jeannie Don’t Sing No Mo’, workshopped in July, with full production to be held in 2017 at Hibernian Hall

37. Plans coalesce to re-activate Ruggles Street, making it safe and beautiful through public art and traffic calming

38. MPDC staff attend NeighborWorks America trainings in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Washington DC, expanding knowledge and networking with colleagues from across the country

39. Bi-weekly Yoga and Zumba classes are held at Orchard Gardens and Madison Park Village

40. MPDC receives over $1M in grants & contracts from private foundations and government agencies

41. An historic renovation of 2101 Washington Street is undertaken, with 16 affordable apartments, 14 market rate apartments, and street-level retail to open in 2017

42. Opportunity Youth Employment Program for out-of-school/out-of-work youth and young adults hosts 10 participants

43. Jobe, acclaimed music theater piece by local playwright + musician Judge Milton Wright, delights large crowds at Hibernian Hall

44. Peer Health Leaders lead smoothie demonstrations at MPDC properties to help residents make wise snacking choices

45. An affordable homeownership project in Dudley Square is in the early stages of implementation

46. The RoxVote Coalition mobilizes voters for November 2016 election + Gets Out The Vote in Roxbury

47. Hibernian Hall presents the premier of Top Eye Open, an original musical play created by artistic director Dillon Bustin

48. Board and staff engage in a strategic planning process resulting in a clear vision for MPDC’s future

49. MPDC’s 50th Anniversary is celebrated with a Gala at Hibernian Hall honoring six leaders with Community Catalyst Awards and dancing the night away

50. $350,000 in corporate sponsorships and individual donations is raised with the help of the state Community Investment Tax Credit program and Friends of Hibernian Hall

Your gift today will help continue the momentum in 2017. Click here to give today

Thank you for your support!

The post 50 Reasons to Celebrate MPDC in 2016! appeared first on Madison Park Development Corporation.

MPDC also debuted a sparkling new marquee for Hibernian Hall that was raised and installed on the building’s exterior a few short hours before the gala got underway. Next time you drive by the hall be sure to take a look!

The post MPDC Celebrates 50 years at anniversary gala appeared first on Madison Park Development Corporation.

Celebrate MPDC’s 50th anniversary with a gift today.

The post Historic Tour Celebrates a Half Century of Activism, Renewal, and Culture appeared first on Madison Park Development Corporation.

As a sponsor, your company’s name and logo will be displayed on MPDC’s website and all publicity materials for Hibernian Hall during the year and, you are entitled to participate in our Community Investment Tax Credit program.

MPDC began as a group of community leaders saying no to the threatened destruction of an entire neighborhood and has become a leader in building a thriving Roxbury and saying yes to community development and community empowerment.  As we developed and preserved over 1,300 affordable homes and brought old commercial buildings to life, we worked with businesses and families to increase economic opportunities and mobilize grassroots leadership to ensure public safety and positive youth development; promote health and wellness and showcase high quality artistic and cultural events.  This summer 64 youth held summer jobs sponsored by MPDC and earned a total payroll of $112,000; and our original production, “Roxbury Strong” saw an audience of 450 and favorable press reviews.

Your generous sponsorship of our anniversary gala will help fortify our mission in the 21st century.  Sponsorships levels can be found here.  Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate 50 years of Activism, Renewal and Culture.

The post Madison Park Development Corporation turns 50! appeared first on Madison Park Development Corporation.

Save the date for these upcoming MPDC50 events:

• Hibernian Hall visits Martha’s Vineyard with a 50th party at Cousen Rose Gallery in Oak Bluffs – Tuesday, August 16
• Historic tour of MPDC properties and Dudley Square in late September – exact date will be in July newsletter
• MPDC50 Gala – celebrate our five decades with music, food, drink and fun in Hibernian Hall on Friday, October 28

The post Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Host MPDC at 50th Anniversary Cocktail Reception appeared first on Madison Park Development Corporation.