Founded in the 1980s by a diverse group of neighbors, the Hyde Square Task Force began as an effort to reverse the trend of youth violence in Hyde-Jackson Square. This neighborhood, on the border between Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, was then known as the “cocaine capital of Boston”; drug-dealing occurred openly on the streets and gang violence was rampant. To call attention to these problems, neighbors organized public meetings, peace marches, street cleanups, and crime watch groups.
After several years, residents realized that significant changes would be possible only through sustained transformation focused on developing the skills of local youth and their families. In 1991, the Hyde Square Task Force was incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization and soon began providing programs to engage youth and adults in the community.
Today, Hyde Square Task Force has grown into a professionally-run non profit with deep community ties and a reputation as one of the most dynamic community-based organizations in Boston. We have expanded Each year, we serve 1000 youth ages 6-21 from Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and across Boston through leadership development, college preparation, arts & cultural enrichment, youth-led community organizing and positive community-building events.
The timeline below highlights our major achievements and growth over the past two decades.
Hyde Square Task Force Timeline Highlights
2011 HSTF youth launch a campaign to get comprehensive sex education in Boston Public Schools. Jóvenes del Comité comensarón una campaña a favor de un currículo de educación sexual comprensivo para las escuelas públicas de Boston.
2010 Music Clubhouse participants form La Voz, a group that writes and performs original music to create social change. Los participantes del Club Musical forman La Voz, un grupo que escribe y presenta música original que promueve el cambio social.
2009 Teen leaders advocate for a high school civics class in Boston Public Schools; their curriculum is now being piloted in four schools. Los líderes juveniles exigen una clase de educación cívica para la secundaria en las escuelas públicas de Boston; su currículo es ahora piloto en cuatro escuelas.
2007 HSTF wins the 2007 Coming Up Taller Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Ritmo en Accion dance troupe performs for Laura Bush at the White House. El Comité gana el Premio a la Excelencia en las Artes, Coming Up Taller, y el grupo de baile Ritmo en Acción hace una función para Laura Bush en la Casa Blanca.
2004 In response to a series of violent incidents at the Jackson T station, HSTF youth paint beautiful murals at the Jackson Square and Roxbury Crossing Stations, affirming peace and their right to live safely in their communities. En respuesta a la violencia en la estación de trenes Jackson, los jóvenes del Comité pintaron hermosos murales en las estaciones de Jackson Square y Roxbury Crossing, afirmando la paz y su derecho a vivir con seguridad en su vecindario.
2001 In response to a HSTF youth campaign, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council unanimously votes to lower the community voting age to 16. The first two youth representatives, Kimberly Chacon and Oscar Vega, are elected to the Council. En respuesta a una campaña de los jóvenes del Comité, el Consejo Vecinal de Jamaica Plain votó unánimemente para reducir la edad de votación en la comunidad a 16 años. Así se eligieron los dos primeros representantes juveniles en el Consejo, Kimberly Chacón y Oscar Vega.
1999 When Kmart tries to move into Jackson Square, teens rally in opposition and the Youth First Initiative is born – and the plan is defeated! They propose a new plan to respond to the principal needs of the community: affordable housing, small commercial space and a youth and family center for educational and recreational purposes. Cuando Kmart trata de abrir una tienda en Jackson Square, los jóvenes se movilizan en oposición y dan inicio a la Iniciativa Jóvenes Primero – y ¡derrotan el plan! proponiendo un nuevo plan que responde a las necesidades principales de nuestra comunidad: vivienda costeable, pequeños comercios y centros de esparcimiento y educación para los jóvenes y sus familias.
1996 HSTF spearheads the Mozart Park Clean-Up, making the notorious drug-dealing area cleaner, safer, more beautiful, and more welcoming. El Comité encabeza la limpieza del parque Mozart, convirtiendo esa área conocida por el tráfico de drogas en un lugar más limpio, más seguro y más acogedor.
1994 The Kennedy After-School Program launches, with teens tutoring and reading with elementary school students. Se inicia el programa después de clase en la Kennedy, con jóvenes adolescentes como tutores y lectores ayudando a los estudiantes del nivel primario.
1991 Hyde Square Task Force is incorporated. El Comité de Hyde Square se incorpora como organización sin fines de lucro.
1988 The first meeting at Blessed Sacrament is cut short by firebombing of nearby Centre Street storefront. La primera reunión en la iglesia del Sagrado Sacramento se ve interrumpida por un ataque que incendio la vitrina de un negocio en la calle Centre.
Banner Photo Credit: Carol Palmer c 2003 www.BrilliantPictures.com