Hyde Square Task Force E-Update September 2006

The Hyde Square Task Force's "e-update" is a periodic electronic newsletter featuring the accomplishments of our programs and participants. Our mission is to create a safe, clean and friendly neighborhood in Hyde/Jackson Square, a neighborhood that places its priority on young people. We strive 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.

Arts Explodes at the Task Force!

From the visual to the performing arts, Task Force teens are taking their creativity to the next level. A new member of the Hunt Alternatives Fund's ARTWorks for Kids coalition, on September 30, Ritmo en Acción will participate in the Blooming Art: Nurturing the Future event, where donors, youth arts service providers, and young artists will celebrate the power of art to change lives. This summer, Task Force Youth Community Muralists completed the exciting third phase of the Jackson Square T station mural project, a unique partnership between the MBTA and Hyde Square Task Force.

You can learn more about these efforts as we open our doors this weekend as a part of Jamaica Plain Open Studios. On Saturday, September 30 (12 pm - 5 pm) meet our teen muralists and view their work, On Sunday, October 1 see Ritmo en Acción perform and talk to the dancers about their work teaching salsa and contemporary dance styles to other area youth. For more information please contact Paul at 617-524-8303 x321 or paul@hydesquare.org.

Watch Ritmo perform this summer in Mozart Park:
http://www.hydesquare.org/programs/EIM06.html

View Phase III of the Jackson Mural Project online:
http://www.hydesquare.org/extra/jmuralpix06.html

Summer Programs a Success - thanks to all our supporters!

As fall approaches we want to say thank you to all of our individual supporters (you know who you are!), who contributed over $3000 to our Hyde Square Task Force summer programs and helped us provide to new opportunities for hundreds of youth this summer! In addition to a wide range of literacy and dance-focused summer enrichment programs for youth and teens during regular hours, HSTF also provided opportunities after hours, including our Evenings In Mozart Park series, and our new Youth Dance After Hours. Our thanks also to the Summer Safety Funder Collaborative and Children's Hospital, whose financial support contributed to our summer success.

View a slideshow from Evenings in Mozart Park:
http://www.hydesquare.org/extra/mozartpix06.html

View a complete list of funders: http://www.hydesquare.org/about_us/supporters.html

Learn how you can contribute:
http://www.hydesquare.org/get_involved/donate.html

Task Force Youth Form Inter-generational Bonds, Build Skills

This summer, in a new partnership between Hyde Square Task Force and Mount Pleasant Home, eleven area youth forged strong connections with Mount Pleasant's elderly residents as they worked as urban landscapers, clearing the grounds of the home to complete the first phase of Mount Pleasant's urban landscaping. Local youth learned about urban ecology, the history of the Emerald Necklace, safety with tools or equipment, potential environmental dangers like poison ivy or erosion, and landscaping as a career. For more information on the Mount Pleasant partnership, please call Yi Chin at (617) 524-8303 x303 or email her at: yichin@hydesquare.org.

Learn more about the Mount Pleasant partnership at:
http://www.mountpleasanthome.org/Expansion/taskforce.htm

Task Force Board President named Community MVP by New England Patriots

This summer, the New England Patriots presented Board President Nelson Arroyo with a Community MVP award. This award honors individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism. The Kraft family and the New England Patriots chose this award for Nelson because of his many years of service to Hyde/Jackson Square and the JP and Roxbury communities.

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

News:

Motivan a Jóvenes para Votar
Moises Vargas, 17 al 23 de Agosto, 2006
"Con el propósito de promover la participación cívica a nivel de vecindario, la ciudad y el estado, un grupo de activistas comunitarios miembros de la "Coalición Edúcate, Movilízate y Vota" (CEMV)... "

"Hey Baby!"
Stephanie Conduff, Globe Correspondent, August 6, 2006
"As early as 8 years old, girls start hearing men yell suggestive things at them, say the teen organizers of the Hyde Square Task Force. Located in a storefront on Centre Street..."

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

Calendar:

REMINDER: the deadline to register to vote in the general election is Wednesday, October 18th! Register to vote at Hyde Square Task Force main office!

September:

Kennedy After School Program Begins
Monday September 25
Kennedy Elementary School, 7 Bolster St.
Contact: Brenda (617) 524-8303 x312

Curley After School Program Begins
Wednesday, September 27 @ 1:30 pm
Curley Middle School, 493 Centre St.
Contact: Ana (617) 524-8303 x324

Youth Team Orientation
Wednesday, September 27 @ 5:30 pm
Main Office, 375 Centre St. (map it!)
Contact: Yi Chin (617) 524-8303 x303

Jamaica Plain Open Studios
Saturday & Sunday, September 30 & October 1 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Main Office, 375 Centre St. (map it!)
Contact: Paul (617) 524-8303 x321

October:

HSTF Kennedy Parent Orientation
Monday, October 2, 5:00
Location: Kennedy Elementary School
Contact: Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323

Evening Tutorial Begins for Youth Team Teens
Monday, October 2, 5:00
Location: HSTF main office
Contact: Yi Chin (617) 524-8303 x303

HSTF Youth Team Parent Orientation
Thursday, October 5, 5:30-7:30
Location: Cheverus School
Contact: Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323

Comcast Community Cares Day
Saturday, October 7 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Main Office, 375 Centre St. (map it!)
Contact: Paul (617) 524-8303 x321

Ritmo en Acción performance @ City Hall
Thursday, October 12
Location: Boston City Hall
Contact: Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323

Siempre Pa'lante College & Careers Conference (view flyer)
Saturday, October 21
Location: TBA
Contact: Yi Chin (617) 524-8303 x303

Ritmo en Acción performance @ Don Juan Gala
Saturday, October 28
Location: TBA
Contact: Brenda (617) 524-8303 x323

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