1. In partnership with Boston Housing Authority + Preservation of Affordable Housing, MPDC receives $30 million HUD grant for Whittier Choice Neighborhood Initiative, to rebuild the Whittier Street housing development and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood
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
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