Register now for
HSTF's Middle School Program!
We are currently accepting applications from 6th, 7th, and 8th graders for our Middle School Program, running Tuesday through Friday 3-6PM at our Cheverus Building. See below for more information and an application.
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Putting the 'Community' in
Community College
From October 20th through the 24th, our Cheverus Building was transformed into the Hyde Square Task Force Teaching and Learning Institute, or the HSTF Community College, as it has become known. As part of our effort to build the skills of our youth, all of our program participants attended a series of trainings and workshops on a variety of subjects to help prepare them to create social change.
The first workshop featured a panel discussion on leadership, with Vanessa Calderon-Rosado, CEO of Inquilinos en Accion (IBA) Ayanna Pressley, Political Director for Sen. John Kerry, Ernesto Arroyo, a hip-hop recording artist, and Robert Lewis, Vice-President of the Boston Foundation all sharing their personal stories and the importance of leaders in their lives.
David Szebeda, HSTF's Music Manager, led two sessions teaching public speaking skills and all of our youth were given an orientation to our organization and the non-profit sector. Youth will participate in additional workshops during school vacations throughout the year.
For more information on the HSTF Community College, contact Jesus Gerena at 617-524-8303 x304 or via email at jesus@hydesquare.org.
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The panel talks with youth about how to be a leader at HSTF's Teaching and Learning Institute. (Photo by Christina Wegs, October 20th, 2008.)
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"Our Voice Was Heard"
On November 5th, HSTF's Youth Community Organizers (YCO) breathed a sigh of relief after seeing months of hard work pay off. As part of the 'Vote for Me!' campaign, these young organizers spent the summer knocking on doors, making phone calls, registering new voters, securing pledges to vote, and imploring the community to stand up for the issues that matter to young people. "Because youth in Boston are unable to vote," said Cynthia, a YCO, "we
need the support from adults in our community in order for our voices to be
heard."
When the dust settled, the YCOs had contacted 3,859 voters through their outreach strategy and 1,415 local residents pledged to vote in the general election. Their efforts contributed to the defeat of Question 1, a proposal that would have cut the state budget by 40% leaving many social programs, like the ones in which these youth participate, devastated.
The youth's outreach campaign also led to a 22% turnout in local precincts in the state primary on September 16th, a rate 2% higher than the average for the rest of the city of Boston.
For more information about the Youth Community Organizers, or their partnership with the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Council through the 'Coalition to Mobilize, Educate, and Vote,' contact Mark Pedulla at 617-524-8303 x314 or via email at mark@hydesquare.org.
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HSTF's Community Development Artists, alongside Sociedad Latina, State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, and officials from the MBTA unveil the new mural at the Roxbury Crossing T Station. (Photo by Melissa Luna, November 13th, 2008.)
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HSTF Middle School Program Launches!
What's there to do once the final school bell rings? Plenty at the Hyde Square Task Force! This is the first year of our Middle School Program, a combination of homework instruction and 6 different fun and educational clubs.
Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades can choose between the following clubs:
Entrepeneurship Club--a small business experience teaching students how to take their ideas and transform them into market success.
Photostories--a chance for participants to learn photography basics and tell their unique stories.
MISTER Jr--a young men's discussion group.
Music Clubhouse--students learn to play and record music in our fully-equipped studio.
WEPA Belles--a young women's discussion and fitness group.
Dance--our award-winning Ritmo en Acción dance troupe teaches Latin and Hip-Hop dance styles.
The program runs Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6PM at our Cheverus Building at 365 Centre Street. It is free to all, but spots are limited, so fill out an application quickly!
To download an application, visit our offices or click here.
For more information on HSTF's Middle School Program, contact Brenda at 617-524-8303 x323 or brenda@hydesquare.org.
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Our 2007 Annual Report is now online!
Click here to view.
Sign up online to
donate monthly and help support our programs year round!
Click here to donate now.
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Quick Links:________________
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Spotlight on: Christina Wegs, Lewis Hine Documentary FellowThrough July 2009, Christina Wegs will be working with Hyde Square
Task Force as a Lewis Hine Documentary Fellow. The Hine Fellowship,
supported by The Philanthropic Initiative and Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies (CDS),
places emerging documentarians with innovative community-based agencies
that serve children and youth. Throughout the year, fellows work in
partnership with their host agencies to produce in-depth documentary
projects that explore the realities and concerns of youth, their
families and communities.
Christina has a background in participatory
education, social work and public health, and has worked with
international reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programs for the past
seven years. Last year, she completed her studies in documentary work
at Duke/CDS, specializing in documentary photography, oral history and
audio documentaries, with a focus on collaborative work with youth. She is especially interested in the potential of documentary work as a
tool to initiate dialogue and action for social change.
Also, you can visit Christina's new website ( www.christinawegs.com) for information on her projects with HSTF youth, as they evolve over the next year. |
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In Our Community:
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13th Annual Taste of Jamaica Plain
A celebration of food and community featuring 25 restaurants, bakeries
and breweries bring samples of their menus, $40 at the door, $35 in
advance to benefit the Egleston Square group Ensuring Stability through
Action in our Community.
For more info, visit www.esacboston.org.
"Interesting and Dull Spaces" Art Exhibit
John Kramer incorporates photographic images, sculptures, and
projections from his investigations of Forest Hills Cemetery, through
Dec. 6. Art institute of Boston Gallery at University Hall, 1815
Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
For more info, call 617-585-6656.
Peace Drum Project
Boston teens interested in art can sign up for this after school arts
and leadership training. Activities include music, drum making, drama,
dance and visual arts workshops plus visits to local museums and art
studios. Teens also interview elders about their lives and create peace
drums for them. Open to BPS students, stipend provided
For more info, visit www.tribal-rhythms.org.
Jamaica Plain Children's Chorus
Offers singing classes for kids in grades K-7.
For more info, call Tom Morris at 697-5621.
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Shop Online and Support HSTF
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Shop on Amazon.com and a portion of the proceeds can benefit HSTF
Click here to begin
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New England Grassroots Environment Fund offers support
for Boston projects
NEGEF will be awarding grants to increase engagement and citizen participation
in environmental health, environmental justice, and greenspace issues in
greater Boston.
The initiative's priority objectives are solving environmental problems and
fostering stewardship, increasing community involvement, and building networks
among Boston
citizens. The deadline is January 15th, 2009.
To apply, visit www.grassrootsfund.org.
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