Hyde Square Task Force E-Update May 2006

Ritmo en Acción a Coming Up Taller Semifinalist

The Hyde Square Task Force is pleased to announce that the Ritmo en Acción dance team has been selected as a Coming Up Taller Semifinalist by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Selected from over 350 nominees as one of 50 semifinalists, this honor distinguished Ritmo en Acción as “one of the top arts- and humanities-based programs in the country serving youth beyond the school hours,” according to the Committee leadership.

Read more about this honor at:

http://www.hydesquare.org/news_and_events/highlights.html

¡Guarda la fecha! Save the Date!

The Hyde Square Task Force’s 2006 Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 10th, 2006 from 2 pm to 6 pm on the grounds of the Blessed Sacrament Church on Centre St. in Jamaica Plain.  Each year, hundreds of youth & families come together for this celebration, where we recognize the accomplishments of our participants, acknowledge our community collaborations, and elect our new Board of Directors. This year, in particular, we hope to make this event special, since we will be celebrating the 15th anniversary since the incorporation of the Task Force.  For more information on this event, please contact Paul at (617) 524-8303 x321 or via email at paul@hydesquare.org.

To view/download a bilingual flyer for this event (Adobe PDF, 240 KB), go to:

http://www.hydesquare.org/extra/HSTFAnnualPoster06_11.pdf

Register Now for Summer Programs

We are now accepting applications for theHyde Square Task Force Summer Enrichment Program and the Ritmo en Acción Summer Dance Program. Applications may be picked up at our offices at 375 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain anytime between 10 am - 6 pm Monday - Friday. 

For more information, please call 617-524-8303 or email info@hydesquare.org.

Youth Reach "Pinnacle" in Spring Retreat

On Thursday, April 20th, teens from our different youth leadership teams came together for a day-long retreat at the Grand Circle Corporation's Pinnacle Leadership Center in Kensington, New Hampshire. The youth spent the day involved in team building activities, including a high-altitude ropes course! These activities forced teens “out of their comfort zone” and taught them “how to support each other,” according to H-CAP Coordinator Yi-Chin Chen. The teens finished the afternoon by engaging in a 45 minute “SWOT” analysis (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) as part of an organization-wide strategic planning process. The youth retreat provides a valuable opportunity for members of our different youth teams to mingle and socialize.  We thank the Grand Circle Corporation for hosting our youth!

To view pictures from our Spring Youth Retreat, go to:

http://www.hydesquare.org/extra/retreat06/HSTF%20Youth%20Retreat%2006.html

View these and other highlights at: http://www.hydesquare.org/news_and_events/highlights.html

In the News:

Teens probe sexual harassment in schools

by Yawu Miller, Baystate Banner, April 6, 2006

"According to the official sexual harassment policy of the Boston Public Schools, students who think they have been the victims of harassment can report the incident to their principal or any adult they trust in the school. But when a fellow student pinned Galicia Escarfullery to a wall and tried to kiss her, it was she who ended up in trouble..."

Youth Organizing: A New Generation of Social Activism

by Kay E. Sherwood & Julie Dressner, Public/Private Ventures, December 2004

“I have grown to a different person. I have learned to do things for others. This experience will help me in the future. I have learned how systems work and how to change things when they are unfair... "

New Focus on Families: How to Build & Support Family-Centered Practices in After School

by BOSTNet, the United Way of Mass. Bay, and the Harvard Family Research Project, January 2006

"Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), a Boston-based multi-issue community organization, sponsores an after school program at the Kennedy Elementary School for first through fourth graders, in addition to its work on youth organizing and community development..."

Read these and other recent news items at: http://www.hydesquare.org/news_and_events/inthenews.html

Upcoming:

To learn MORE ABOUT A PARTICULAR PROGRAM or find out how TO ENROLL, contact:

* Ritmo en Acción Youth Dance Troupe - Brenda x323 or brenda@hydesquare.org

* YouthFirst in Jackson Square Community Organizing Initiative - Jesús x304 or jesus@hydesquare.org

* Coalition to Educate, Mobilize & Vote (CEMV)- Maanav x305 or maanav@hydesquare.org

* Kennedy Elementary School After School Program - Brenda x323 or brenda@hydesquare.org

* Curley Middle School After School Program - Ana x324 or ana@hydesquare.org

* Paths to College & Career Program (PCCP) - Yi-Chin x303 or yichin@hydesquare.org

* Women Engaged in Physical Activity (WEPA) - Ana x324 or ana@hydesquare.org

* Health Careers Ambassadors Project (H-CAP) - Yi-Chin x303 or yichin@hydesquare.org

FOR A COMPLETE STAFF DIRECTORY: http://www.hydesquare.org/about_us/board.html

FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE: http://www.hydesquare.org/contact_us/directions_main.html