Each year, through the Ralph Smith, Danette Jones, and Haynes Family Scholarships, MPDC helps several deserving students from Roxbury offset the cost of their college education.
How We Do It:
Several college-bound applicants from Roxbury are selected annually by MPDC to receive scholarships. The awards range from $250 to $3,500 toward each recipient’s college tuition and expenses. MPDC’s college scholarship program was established by a bequest from the estate of Ralph Smith, our co-founder and first Executive Director, and a gift made in honor of Danette Jones, our second Executive Director. These scholarships make a meaningful difference in the lives of our young residents.
Apply for MPDC’s 2021 Scholarship Program
Questions? contact Yhinny Matos / 617.849.6236
MORE ON OUR SCHOLARSHIPS…
The Ralph D. Smith Community Service Scholarship
The Ralph D. Smith Community Service Scholarship is named after the first executive director of Madison Park Development Corporation. Mr. Smith was a resident of the old Lower Roxbury neighborhood. A baker by trade, Mr. Smith was a leader among the residents of the old neighborhood. He led the charge to redevelop and restore the acres and acres of land left vacant by urban renewal. Under his leadership, the core units forming the Madison Park Village complex were created. Upon his death in 1998, Mr. Smith left his entire estate to MPDC to establish a scholarship fund in his name that would help students “who have demonstrated community service in the Madison Park Village and Lower Roxbury areas.” The Ralph D. Smith Scholarship awards up to $3,500.
The Danette Jones Scholarship Fund
Danette Jones served as the second executive director of MPDC, from 1988 to 1998. Under Ms. Jones’ leadership, MPDC expanded its housing development programs, created the cultural economic development collaborative, and launched its human capital campaigns. These initiatives included the establishment of youth and workforce development programs, revitalization of community organizing efforts, and the expansion of the computer training initiatives. Among Ms. Jones’s many accomplishments is the successful transformation of the blighted Orchard Park Public Housing Development to the Orchard Gardens Townhouses. The Danette Jones Scholarship awards up to $1,000 on a one-time basis.
Eligibility requirements for these scholarships are as follows:
- Resident of greater Madison Park community as defined by the boundaries of Lower Roxbury – which include and are limited to residences in the 02119, 02120, and 02121 zip code areas;
- Enrollment full-time as a high school senior, progressing normally toward graduation in Spring/Summer 2018 with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation;
- A strong commitment to pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree:
- Present involvement in community service and a strong commitment to continue community service throughout college
The Haynes Family Scholarship
The Haynes Family Scholarship fund is named in recognition of a family staple in the Roxbury community for over 50 years. Vincent Haynes, one of the founding members of MPDC, was a community activist at the forefront of Roxbury’s resident-led organizing efforts against urban renewal during the 1960s. Roy Haynes is an internationally-acclaimed musician. Reverend Michael Haynes is a pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury. Haynes House, MPDC’s 131-unit apartment building at Madison Park Village, is also named in honor of the family. The Haynes Family Scholarship awards up to $3,500 for enrollment in a certificate program or in a two- or four-year college.
Eligibility requirements for this scholarship are as follows:
- Must be a resident of the City of Boston
- Current MPDC youth leader entering an accredited two- or four-year college or university, vocational training, or certificate program; or
- Present involvement in community service and a strong commitment to continue community service throughout college
- Affiliation with MPDC (i.e., resident, partnership, past youth worker)
- Must have GED, Hi-Set, or high school diploma