civic engagement Archives - Madison Park Development Corporation https://www.madison-park.org/press-category/civic-engagement/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:18:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.madison-park.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-Untitled-design-5-32x32.png civic engagement Archives - Madison Park Development Corporation https://www.madison-park.org/press-category/civic-engagement/ 32 32 154206511 In The Dorchester Reporter: In council forum, topics run the gamut from affordable housing to immigration, rent control, bike and bus lanes https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-dorchester-reporter-in-council-forum-topics-run-the-gamut-from-affordable-housing-to-immigration-rent-control-bike-and-bus-lanes/ Tue, 27 May 2025 13:17:09 +0000 https://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=8184 By Lucas De Oliveira and Sarah Attie, Special to the Reporter Photo by Georgia Epiphaniou Seventeen candidates for City Council seats fielded questions about affordable housing, immigration enforcement, and other […]

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]]> By Lucas De Oliveira and Sarah Attie, Special to the Reporter

Photo by Georgia Epiphaniou

Seventeen candidates for City Council seats fielded questions about affordable housing, immigration enforcement, and other topics last Thursday evening (May 22) at a forum at Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall.

Nine candidates for the District 7 seat and eight for the four at-large seats participated in the nearly three-hour forum, which drew more than 100 people and was moderated by Yawu Miller, editor in chief of The Flipside, and WGBH reporter Saraya Wintersmith.

The at-large field
All four incumbent at-large councillors running for re-election attended the event: Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Henry Santana, and Erin Murphy. City election officials have also certified nomination signatures for five challengers, so far: Will Onuoha, Marvin Mathelier, Alexandra Valdez, Yves Mary Jean, and Frank Baker. All but Mary Jean were in attendance.

Baker previously served as the District 3 councillor for 12 years. Valdez is the director of Boston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Onuoha worked as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Fair Housing & Equity, among other posts in over two decades in city government.

Marvin Mathelier, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran, said his goal is to bring to the City Council the values instilled in him by military service.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Dorchester Reporter here.

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]]> 8184 On Hoodline: Boston Police Department Boosts Community-Policing with Multi-Agency HUB Situation Table Training https://www.madison-park.org/press/on-hoodline-boston-police-department-boosts-community-policing-with-multi-agency-hub-situation-table-training/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:38:43 +0000 https://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=8050 By Sam Cavanaugh The Boston Police Department recently expanded its community-policing effort, hosting a HUB Situation Table training to address the city’s most vulnerable populations. In collaboration with the Madison Park […]

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]]> By Sam Cavanaugh

The Boston Police Department recently expanded its community-policing effort, hosting a HUB Situation Table training to address the city’s most vulnerable populations. In collaboration with the Madison Park Community Development Corporation and The Dewitt Center, the training involved 100 participants, aimed at forging a more unified approach to crisis intervention.

Participants in the training hailed from an array of local enforcement and service organizations. According to an announcement by the BPD, individuals included officers from Boston and Massachusetts State Police, members from intervention teams, various service offices, and personnel from Boston Public Schools and other civic agencies. A blend of state departments and non-profit service providers, ranging from health care facilities to faith-based groups, also participated, learning about the HUB model and the confidential ‘4 Filter Process’.

Originally launched back in 2018, the HUB Initiative operates based on a simple, yet crucial principle: intervene quickly to prevent harm. The training, having addressed 696 cases thus far, targets individuals or families at acutely elevated risk, connecting them to services designed to mitigate imminent dangers within 48 hours. “The HUB does not perform case management,” the BPD clarified, emphasizing the rapid response nature of the initiative. Madison Park CDC received thanks for leading the Roxbury Hub, and recognition went out to the Boston Public Schools and trainers from Chelsea Police and Operation to Save Lives for their roles in fostering the program.

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]]> 8050 In the Daily Free Press: Elizabeth Warren kicks off Senate re-election campaign with Roxbury Town Hall https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-daily-free-press-elizabeth-warren-kicks-off-senate-re-election-campaign-with-roxbury-town-hall/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:04:20 +0000 https://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=6473 On Thursday, April 13th, Daily Free Press reported that Elizabeth Warren hosted her first Senate re-election campaign event in Roxbury alongside Mayor Michelle Wu, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Governor Maura Healy — Click to read more details.

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]]> On Thursday, April 13th, Daily Free Press reported that Elizabeth Warren hosted her first Senate re-election campaign event in Roxbury alongside Mayor Michelle Wu, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Governor Maura Healy at MPDC’s space for arts and culture, Hibernian Hall. During the event, “the four women discussed Massachusetts politics and expressed their support for Warren’s campaign, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.” Additionally, Mayor Wu spoke about the recently-released City of Boston budget and even shared personal anecdotes about having Warren as a professor at Harvard Law.

Read the full article as it appeared here.

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]]> 6473 In The Boston Scope: Voter Education: It Starts Local — Madison Park Development Corporation https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-boston-scope-voter-education-it-starts-local-madison-park-development-corporation/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 21:20:05 +0000 https://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5857 On October 24th, 2022, Boston Scope sat down with MPDC's Civic Engagement Coordinator, Allison Anderson, to discuss the importance of voter education, specifically in the Roxbury community, as Election Day approaches — Click for read more details.

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]]> On October 24th, 2022, Boston Scope sat down with MPDC’s Civic Engagement Coordinator, Allison Anderson, to discuss the importance of voter education, specifically in the Roxbury community, as Election Day approaches.

Read the full article as it appears here. 

Watch the full interview here. 

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]]> 5857 In The Dorchester Reporter: Center lane plan for Mattapan draws flak from top state Senate candidates https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-dorchester-reporter-center-lane-plan-for-mattapan-draws-flak-from-top-state-senate-candidates/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 11:57:23 +0000 https://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5556 The four major candidates sounded off on the $60 million project at a forum on July 20 at Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall sponsored by the Communities of Color coalition. While much in the Blue Hill Avenue plan is up for debate, city transportation officials have indicated in community meetings that the center-lane bus proposal is likely a non-negotiable part of the planning.

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Looking toward Mattapan Square where the proposed center-lane bus infrastructure would be constructed if the plan were to move forward. Several months of planning is yet to come on the project, though many meetings have already happened, but already there have been plenty of naysayers. Seth Daniel photo

With planning already underway for an overhaul of Blue Hill Avenue – including the addition of a center-lane busway along on the corridor from Grove Hall to Mattapan Square – most of the candidates for the new Second Suffolk Senate seat are offering various critiques of the proposal.

The four major candidates sounded off on the $60 million project at a forum on July 20 at Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall sponsored by the Communities of Color coalition. While much in the Blue Hill Avenue plan is up for debate, city transportation officials have indicated in community meetings that the center-lane bus proposal is likely a non-negotiable part of the planning.

At the forum, the first question about the center-lane bus was asked of Dianne Wilkerson, who is making another run for the senate seat she last held over 10 years ago. She called the proposal “stupid,” adding, “the controversy is people are living with decisions that people make, and they don’t always know how they’ve been made, and they don’t make any sense what they do and there’s no process to un-do something that’s clearly stupid,” she said.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Dorchester Reporter here.

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]]> 5556 In The Bay State Banner: Janey delivers farewell address https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-bay-state-banner-janey-delivers-farewell-address/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:36:41 +0000 http://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5109 At Hibernian Hall in Roxbury Wednesday night, acting Mayor Kim Janey closed out her historic tenure as Boston’s 55th mayor and as the first woman and person of color to lead the city.

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]]> Mayor Kim Janey Farewell. (Mayor’s Office photo by Isabel Leon)

At Hibernian Hall in Roxbury Wednesday night, acting Mayor Kim Janey closed out her historic tenure as Boston’s 55th mayor and as the first woman and person of color to lead the city.

To a room packed with supporters, government officials and press, Janey reflected on her time in office and the ongoing challenges facing Boston. She spoke to the coronavirus pandemic and her efforts to distribute the vaccine, her efforts to increase housing stability, her commitment to public art and culture through her “joy agenda”, her work on public safety and even her controversial approach to the ongoing joint drug and public health crisis on Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

“Addressing the challenges of our city takes courage and commitment because these issues can only be solved when we all work together to create systemic change. From managing a public health crisis to confronting institutional racism, we have achieved historic milestones together,” Janey said.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Bay State Banner here.

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]]> 5109 In the Boston Globe: Read the full text of Kim Janey’s farewell speech as acting mayor https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-boston-globe-read-the-full-text-of-kim-janeys-farewell-speech-as-acting-mayor/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:33:21 +0000 http://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5106 Acting Mayor Kim Janey gave a farewell address at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury on Wednesday to city officials and community members in an event that included a performance by local artists and video highlighting her mayoralty’s accomplishments. Janey, the acting mayor of Boston since Martin J. Walsh became US transportation secretary in March, will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Michelle Wu, who will be sworn in as the city’s leader on Nov. 16.

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Acting Mayor Kim Janey delivered a farewell address in Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall on Wednesday evening.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF

Acting Mayor Kim Janey gave a farewell address at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury on Wednesday to city officials and community members in an event that included a performance by local artists and video highlighting her mayoralty’s accomplishments. Janey, the acting mayor of Boston since Martin J. Walsh became US transportation secretary in March, will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Michelle Wu, who will be sworn in as the city’s leader on Nov. 16.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Boston Globe here.

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]]> 5106 In the Mission Hill Gazette: Acting Mayor Kim Janey delivers farewell address days before Wu set to take office https://www.madison-park.org/press/in-the-mission-hill-gazette-acting-mayor-kim-janey-delivers-farewell-address-days-before-wu-set-to-take-office/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:29:48 +0000 http://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5105 A farewell event for Acting Mayor Kim Janey was held at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury on November 10, where she delivered a farewell address and reflected on her service to the City of Boston as its first woman and first Black mayor. 

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]]> A farewell event for Acting Mayor Kim Janey was held at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury on November 10, where she delivered a farewell address and reflected on her service to the City of Boston as its first woman and first Black mayor.

WCVB’s Karen Ward Holmes hosted, and performances were given by singers Nia Ashleigh, Danny Rivera, and Dana Whiteside, who sang the National Anthem. Rev. Willie Bodrick delivered the invocation.

In her address, Janey spoke about how the city worked together during the pandemic and rolled out vaccines in every community, as well as enacted mask mandates and ensured homeowners, renters, and business owners were provided with resources.

“To protect the most vulnerable of our residents, particularly people within the immigrant community, we supported asylum-seekers and invested in work-readiness opportunities for Dreamers,” Janey said in her prepared remarks.

She also spoke of the JOY Agenda, which she said was created “as a strategy to heal from trauma” and brought things like public art and dace parties to neighborhoods.

She talked about Boston’s observance of Juneteenth as a holiday for the first time, as well as declaring Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the city.

“While ensuring stability in a time of crisis was a top priority, I also led Boston towards the more equitable and just city we all deserve,” Janey said.

The Boston Home Center’s first-time homebuyer program was expanded, as was down payment assistance.

“Crime is down and at its lowest in five years,” Janey said, and “we must continue to address trauma, which is often the root cause of violence.”

Janey also spoke of green jobs and equitable transportation, notably her pilot for free bus service on the route 28 bus which travels through Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury. The Supplier Diversity Program also now includes LGBTQ+ owned businesses.

Read the entire article as it originally appeared in The Mission Hill Gazette here.

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]]> 5105 On WBUR: Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey says goodbye to her short, but historic post https://www.madison-park.org/press/on-wbur-boston-acting-mayor-kim-janey-says-goodbye-to-her-short-but-historic-post/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:27:56 +0000 http://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5103 Acting Mayor Kim Janey — Boston's first woman and first Black resident to serve in the top post — bid farewell to the office Wednesday, ticking off a series of accomplishments during her brief tenure, including helping the city navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mayor Kim Janey smiles during her farewell remarks at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Acting Mayor Kim Janey — Boston’s first woman and first Black resident to serve in the top post — bid farewell to the office Wednesday, ticking off a series of accomplishments during her brief tenure, including helping the city navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite holding the office for less than a year, Janey marked a dramatic pivot in the city’s long history — a history she found herself thrust into as an 11-year-old when she was bused to a largely white neighborhood during the second phase of Boston’s tumultuous school desegregation era. Rocks and racial slurs were hurled at her bus.

Her rise to the mayor’s office, however brief, reflected a changing city where people of color now make up a majority of the population.

Until Janey, only white men had served as mayor.

“When I was sworn in, following former Mayor (Marty) Walsh’s confirmation as U.S. labor secretary, we were in the midst of a global pandemic and a national reckoning on racial injustice,” Janey said during the address. “It was a time of uncertainty in our country, but Boston stayed strong.”

Janey officially steps down on Tuesday, transferring power to incoming mayor-elect and fellow Democrat Michelle Wu.

Read the entire story as it originally appeared on WBUR here.

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]]> 5103 On WBZ4 CBS Boston: Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey Delivers Farewell Address https://www.madison-park.org/press/on-wbz4-cbs-boston-acting-boston-mayor-kim-janey-delivers-farewell-address/ Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:05:40 +0000 http://www.madison-park.org/?post_type=press&p=5102 Acting Mayor Kim Janey — Boston’s first woman and first Black resident to serve in the top post — bid farewell to the office Wednesday, ticking off a series of accomplishments during her brief tenure, including helping the city navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

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]]> Acting Mayor Kim Janey — Boston’s first woman and first Black resident to serve in the top post — bid farewell to the office Wednesday, ticking off a series of accomplishments during her brief tenure, including helping the city navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite holding the office for less than a year, Janey marked a dramatic pivot in the city’s long history — a history she found herself thrust into as an 11-year-old when she was bused to a largely white neighborhood during the second phase of Boston’s tumultuous school desegregation era. Rocks and racial slurs were hurled at her bus.

Read the entire story as it originally appeared on WBZ4 CBS Boston here.

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