Hyde Square Task Force E-Update January 2007
Happy New Year!
The Hyde Square Task Force "e-update" is a periodic electronic newsletter featuring the accomplishments of our programs and participants. Our mission is to develop the skills of youth and their families so that they are empowered to enhance their own lives and build a stronger urban community. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.hydesquare.org.
Mozart Mural Receives National Endowment for the Arts Award
The Hyde Square Task Force Youth Community Muralists program has been awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Grant. This mural project, lead by internationally recognized muralist Roberto Chao along with HSTF youth, is an effort to promote peace, raise consciousness, and celebrate the cultural diversity of Hyde/Jackson Square. The youth-designed and created mural in Mozart Park will be a nationally recognized example of youth leadership and celebration of community.
For more information on the Youth Community Muralists program, contact Jesús at 617-524-8303 x304 or jesus@hydesquare.org. Learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts: www.nea.gov.
Task Force Teens Bring Youth Organizing to Harvard
As part of a class in Education Organizing, Harvard Graduate School of Education students Meredith Mira, Thomas Nikundiwe, and Keith Catone spent the fall semester learning from youth community organizers at the Hyde Square Task Force. These graduate students worked with the YCOs once a week during the semester, providing support as educators while becoming familiar with youth organizing. At the end of the semester teens Victor Martinez, Kenny Emiliano, and Ruben Oviedo were invited to present the Youth Community Organizers' Campaign to End Sexual Harassment, along with other aspects of youth organizing, to Harvard Professor Mark Warren's Education Organizing class. This opportunity allowed the YCOs to share their knowledge of youth organizing with the Harvard students, many of whom are future school principals, superintendents, and policy analysts.
For more information on the Youth Community Organizers, or the Campaign to End Sexual Harassment, contact Maanav at 617-524-8303 x305 or maanav@hydesquare.org.
HSTF Executive Director Elected to Boston Foundation Board of Directors
HSTF Executive Director Claudio Martinez has been named to the Boston Foundation Board of Directors. Rev. Ray Hammond, Chair of the Boston Foundation Board, calls Claudio a "community leader with vision" and says "his record of accomplishment with the Hyde Square Task Force puts him at the forefront of the city's new emerging leaders." The Boston Foundation is one of the oldest community foundations in the United States, and is a civic leader in the Greater Boston area.
Read the official press release: http://www.tbf.org/About/about-L2.asp?id=3549
JFK Students Get Excited About Dance!
This December, a group of fourth graders enrolled in the HSTF/Kennedy In-School Dance Initiative impressed teachers and families with their newly developed dance skills in a school-wide performance. The in-school dance program, which is the result of a partnership between the Hyde Square Task Force and the Kennedy Elementary School, is taught by professional instructors from Boston's premier Latin dance company, Hacha y Machete. The program allows fourth and fifth graders to study multiple forms of Latin dance while integrating a literacy component into the curriculum. Weekly dance classes promote physical activity, cultural appreciation, literacy, and self-confidence among elementary school students. One of the students who participated in the program said of the experience, "I feel great because I'm moving around all the time and learn new steps and learn to not be that shy."
For more information on the Kennedy in-school dance program, contact Brenda at 617-524-8303 x323 or brenda@hydesquare.org.
Task Force's Jesús Gerena One of "Six in the City"
HSTF Director of Community Development & Organizing Jesús Gerena was one of the six community leaders profiled in the Boston Globe article "Six in the City." This article focused on six people who make Boston a better place. The Boston Globe chose to recognize Jesús for his work with Hyde Square Task Force youth and his leadership in the Hyde/Jackson Square community.
View the complete article at:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/01/01/six_in_the_city/?page=full
Kids at the Curley Become Entrepreneurs!
This year students at the Curley Middle School after school program are becoming small business owners. Using a two hundred dollar HSTF investment, students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades are exploring the basics of entrepreneurship, from designing logos and marketing strategies, to partnering with local businesses to sell their products. Under the guidance of HSTF intern Joshua Livingston, the students have formed three clubs: The Dynamic Arts Club, which makes jewelry from recycled material; the Cookie Monsterz, a baking business; and the Money Maker$, which offers creative services such as hosting the kick-off celebration for the three clubs. This program was inspired by the middle school youth who expressed interest in working and earning money, and is an extension of the Hyde Square Task Force Paths to College and Career Program.
For more information on the Paths to College and Career Program, contact Yi Chin at 617-524-8303 x303 or yichin@hydesquare.org. For more information on the Curley After School program, contact Ana at 617-524-8303 x324 or ana@hydesquare.org.
Curley Martial Arts Club in Need of Sponsors
The Capoeira Club at the Curley After School Program is in need of sponsorship to buy uniforms in order to attend Boston's Sinha Capoeira's First Annual International Capoeira Encounter in March. The Capoeira Club develops team work skills and self-discipline through Brazilian martial arts and dance. At the Capoeira Encounter, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned in front of Capoeira students from all over the United States and receive their official Capoeira cords. The ten students who are members of the club will not be able to attend without their uniforms, which cost $60 apiece. They are seeking sponsors willing to contribute to the cost. All sponsors' names will be included in the event sponsor booklet handed out at the event. For more information on sponsoring the Capoeira Club, contact Ana at 617-524-8303 x324 or ana@hydesquare.org.
In the News:
Six in the city: Meet six people whose efforts help make Boston
a better place
Johnny Diaz et al Boston Globe January 1, 2007
At the nonprofit task force, Gerena is often the adult go-to-person for the group's youth-led projects He helps the kids organize the annual community holiday party, signs them up to paint murals in Jackson Square, or provides a room where they and adults could drop off guns, as they did last summer during the city's buyback program. It's all done from Gerena's one-story office on Centre Street, where a sign outside asks in English and Spanish, "What does community mean?"
Cambiando la Cara de Jamaica Plain
Máximo Torres, Elmundo Boston, 14 al 20 de Diciembre, 2006
"Richard Thal, de Jamaica Plain NDC, y Claudio Martinez, de Hyde Square Task Force, hablan de esle ambicioso proyecto de construcción de viviendas de bajo costo, centro recreacional para jóvenes y de locales comerciales."
Click here to view / download story in Adobe PDF (318 Kb)
Action on Jackson Square: Plans filed for housing, retail complex
Jay Fitzgerald, Boston Herald, November 12, 2006
"Preliminary work on a new $225 million residential and retail complex in Jackson Square could start as early as next year, according to new plans filed by developers of a six-acre site on the border of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury."
Big health issues? Kids write the book
Patrick McGroarty, Globe Correspondent, October 22, 2006
"Karen Rosario wants to be a pharmacist. Denisse Tejada is inspired by her mother's fight against the AIDS virus. Osvaldo Caban Jr. remembers watching his mother struggle with alcoholism... "
Calendar
Museum of Science Visits the Kennedy After-School Program
Wednesday, January 17 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Kennedy Elementary School
Contact: Abe (617) 524-8303 x325
After-School Club Showcase
Friday, February 2 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Kennedy Elementary School
Contact: Abe (617) 524-8303 x325
Contact Us
If you'd like to learn more about our programs or find out how to enroll, please send an email or call the staff member listed below. We'd love to hear from you!
Coalition to Educate, Mobilize & Vote (CEMV)
Maanav (617) 524-8303 x305
Curley Middle School After School Program
Ana (617) 524-8303 x324
Health Careers Ambassadors Project (H-CAP)
Yi Chin (617) 524-8303 x303
Kennedy Elementary School After School Program
Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323
Paths to College & Career Program (PCCP)
Yi Chin (617) 524-8303 x303
Ritmo en Acción Youth Dance Troupe
Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323
Women Engaged in Physical Activity (WEPA)
Ana (617) 524-8303 x324
YouthFirst in Jackson Square Community Organizing Initiative
Jesús (617) 524-8303 x304
View the complete staff directory:
http://www.hydesquare.org/about_us/board.html.
Directions to our office:
http://www.hydesquare.org/contact_us/directions_main.html