2005
Hyde Square Task Force Mentoring Success Story
(Adobe PDF, file size: 172kB)
Mass Mentoring Partnership website (www.mentoring.org/ma) December 2005
"Wandy and Ken first met on the baseball field in Jamaica Plain. Wandy was an 11 year-old with a dream of making it big to Major Leagues one day, and Ken was a community volunteer coach for his team in the local league... "
Health care project looking robust for HSTF
Jamaica Plain Bulletin, November 3, 2005
"What began as a modest pilot program in response to Jamaica Plain youths interested in health care has blossomed into a $120,000 four-facility success for the Hyde Square Task Force... "
Local Teen Artists and Hyde Square Task Force Complete Two-Year Mural Project
MBTA News / Events, October 25, 2005
"On Thursday, October 13th, teens from the non-profit Hyde Square Task Force unveiled 10 large pieces of artwork inside the Jackson Square T Station along the Orange Line... "
Spotlight on Boston Girls' Sports and Physical Activities
GoGirlGo! Network Fall 2005
"... the Hyde Square Task Force is demonstrating its desire to improve the quality of life for its girls by participating in the Boston Girls’ Sports and Physical Activity Project... "
JP teenagers speak out against sexual harassment
The Bay State Banner, September 1, 2005
"Every day girls as young as 12 years old are accosted by men old enough to be their fathers, harassed by groups of teenage boys and asked for sexual favors ..."
Taking back the streets: Hyde Square youth battle harassment
JP Bulletin, September 1, 2005
"A group of students last Thursday took a stand against sexual harassment ..."
Teens craft a new 'no' to sexual harassment
Boston Globe, August 25, 2005
"Yeslinette Burgos says she is asked for sexual favors by males almost every day. In the 10 minutes it takes for her to walk from the Jackson Square MBTA station in Jamaica Plain to her summer job on Centre Street, Burgos is whistled at, followed, and often peppered with obscenities by groups of men, young and old, who hang out ..."
Long-Awaited Jackson Square Plan Now A Reality
Jamaica Plain Bulletin - June 2, 2005
A youth-led effort to organize against sexual harassment, wins award from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation.
Women Engaged in Political Action
Barbara Lee Foundation - May 24, 2005
A youth-led effort to organize against sexual harassment wins award from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation.
He Inspires Stories From the City, Stories From the Barrios
Boston Globe - May 15, 2005
On May 9th, 2005, our Youth Literacy Tutors performed original works and engaged Dominican-born author in a frank discussion on growing up bi-cultural.
Teens Lobby for Summer Jobs
JP Bulletin - May 12, 2005
A planned protest became a friendly meeting at the Emack & Bolio's ice cream shop, where teenagers challenged the store's policy against hiring minors.
Jamaica Plain Residents Fight to Keep Community Flavor
Boston Globe - April 21, 2005
Local church site is the latest battleground in the fight for affordable housing.
Local Residents Send Message to Arch-Diocese
Boston Herald - April 13, 2005
Community residents rallied on Tuesday, April 12th to stress the importance of neighborhood concerns as the Boston Arch-Diocese prepares to make a decision on the sale of the Blessed Sacrament Church. VIEW PICTURES OF THE RALLY >>
Youth Leader Featured By the United Way
United Way of Massachusetts Bay (www.uwmb.org)
Former youth leader Leonardo Peguero is featured in the 2004-2005 promotional materials of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Now a freshman at Bentley College, Leo was a Youth Community Organizer and member of the Ritmo en Acción Youth Dance Team.
Hard Lessons About Life on the Streets
Boston Globe - March 25, 2005
As part of The Jamaica Plain Anti-Violence Collaborative, Task Force youth are using theater to explore issues of violence and safety in our community.
Under Suspicion
Boston Globe - February 27, 2005
Community Organizer Jesús Gerena was recently interviewed in the Boston Globe’s City Weekly section about the issues surrounding Somerville’s recently-enacted anti-gang ordinance.
No Match for Kids
Boston Globe - February 27, 2005
The youth-led organizing efforts of the Boston Tobacco Advocacy Project (a collaboration between Sociedad Latina , Whittier Street Health Center and the Hyde Square Task Force) were recently featured by the Boston Globe.
kidvocate Spotlight
Office of Child Advocacy - Winter 2005
Our Women Engaged in Physical Activity! (WEPA!) program, and WEPA! Coordinator Ana Almeida, were recently featured by Boston Children’s Hospital’s Office of Child Advocacy in their publication, kidvocate. The Task Force recently received a $5,000 from Children’s Hospital in support of WEPA!
Crowd Wants Community Use for Church Land
Jamaica Plain Gazette - February 18, 2005
Teen Youth Community Organizers Wandy Peguero and Gian Gonzalez (who is also chair of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council’s Youth Affairs Committee) spoke out in favor of affordable housing at a February 16th community meeting at the Kennedy Elementary School in Jamaica Plain. Both spoke as lifetime neighborhood residents who hoped someday to buy a home in their neighborhood. The meeting was sponsored by the JPNC to solicit community input on the potential sale and development of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Teens Organize Against Violence on the Orange Line
Bay State Banner - January 13, 2005
Youth coordinators with the Hyde Square Task Force have long complained about the conditions in the Jackson Square MBTA stop...
2004
Major Penalty for Selling Minors Smokes
Boston Herald - December 9th, 2004
Trying to combat a 10 percent hike in youth smoking this year, city officials passed a tough new "three strikes and you're out'' rule to revoke the licenses of stores selling butts to minors...
Herald Heroes
Boston Herald - September 20th, 2004
The Boston Herald recently featured Gian Gonzalez, one of our Youth Community Organizers, in his efforts to confront rising youth violence in our neighborhood.
Murals Unveiled at Jackson Square Station
MBTA News/Events - September 10th, 2004
Working with mural artist Roberto Chao, local youth are putting the finishing touches on the first phase of a community mural at the Jackson Square T Station, a first step in efforts to respond to instances of violence in and around the station.
Envisioning Peace
JP Bulletin - July 15th, 2004
Local youths draw upon talents to improve MBTA stop
Putting the moves on Paris
Boston Globe - June 23rd, 2004
Jamaica Plain dancers get a chance to salsa in the City of Lights