WELCOME to the Hyde Square Task Force's new "e-updates," a periodic electronic newsletter featuring the accomplishments of our programs and participants. To learn more about the Hyde Square Task Force, click here. To add or remove your name from our e-updates mailing list, please see "subscription" info at the end of this email.

If you have trouble viewing this e-mail, you can view it online at http://www.hydesquare.org/eupdate112104.htm

Highlights:

YOUTH DINNER A SUCCESS!:  On November 10th, the Youth Team hosted its annual parent dinner where 100 family members were present to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of our youth.  As usual, lots of laughter and good company.  During the Parent Dinner, our first edition of the Parent Newsletter was presented to all of the families (thanks to our Stride Rite Scholar Jeniffer Marinosan!). 

• To view photos from the event, please click here. 
• To view or download a PDF version of our new parent newsletter, please click here.   

AN AWARD-WINNING COALITION: On November 17th, the Task Force was recognized by the Boston Foundation for its efforts to increase minority voter participation as a part of the Coalition to Educate, Mobilize, & Vote!, or CEMV, a collaboration with partners City Life/Vida Urbana and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation.   Our collective work in voter registration & mobilization has helped increase voter turnout in the last three elections by 80%, 65%, and 55%, respectively, in the largely low-income and minority precincts surrounding the Hyde/Jackson & Egleston Squares.

NEW DATE SET FOR TASK FORCE ANNUAL DINNER:  For the past several years, the Task Force has invited program participants, family members, community residents and our many collaborators, funders & volunteers to our Annual Meeting to share a meal, celebrate our accomplishments and elect new members to our Board of Directors.   This year's meeting has been scheduled for June 9th, 2005. 

• To view pictures from last year's event, click here.

DONATE ON-LINE:  Governor Mitt Romney has proclaimed the day after Thanksgiving as "Giving Massachusetts Day".  And what better way to recognize the "Giving Season" than by making an online contribution to a non-profit community organization dedicated to developing the leadership skills of neighhborhood youth?   For several years, the Task Force has partnered with Network for Good, an organization that provides potential donors with the means to make online donations to worthy non-profits with a credit card or online bank check. 

• To make an online donation to the Task Force, please visit http://www.hydesquare.org/involved_donation.htm
• To learn more about Network for Good and the organizations they support, visit http://www.networkforgood.org

In the News:

NEW APPOINTMENTS TO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL:  Congratulations to Task Force Board President Nelson Arroyo for his recent election as chairman of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council.  Other noteworthy appointments include Jesús Gerena, the Task Force's Community Organizer, who was elected vice-chair, and Gian Gonzalez, a teen Youth Community Organizer at the Task Force, who is the newly-elected chairman of the Council's Youth Affairs Committee.

• To see the Jamaica Plain Gazette's recent coverage (in pdf format), click here.
• To read a recent article on Gian by the Boston Herald, click here.

ANTI-CRIME EFFORTS FOCUS ON PREVENTION:  The crime prevention efforts of the Task Force are featured in a  recent article in the Baystate Banner.  

• To view this article in pdf format, click here. 

Upcoming:

November:

Paths to College & Careers trip to Bentley College, Saturday, November 20th. For more info please contact Yi Chin x303 or yichin@hydesquare.org

Public Hearing on the Community Stabilization Act, Tuesday, November 23rd. For more info please contact Jesús x304 or jesus@hydesquare.org

December:

Jackson Square Community Meeting, Saturday, December 4th.  For more info please contact Jesús x304 or jesus@hydesquare.org

Jamaica Plain Youth Affairs Committee Meeting, Wednesday, December 15th. For more info please contact Jesús x304 or jesus@hydesquare.org

"Fun Fitness" WEPA! (Women Engaged in Physical Activity) Workshop, Monday, December 10th. For more info please contact Ana x324 or ana@hydesquare.org

Volunteer Dinner, Wednesday, December 15th at 6:00 pm. For more info please contact Yi Chin x303 or yichin@hydesquare.org

Curley After School Holiday Party,  Monday, December 20th (7th grade) and Tuesday, December 21st (8th grade). For more info please contact Ana x324 or ana@hydesquare.org

Kennedy After School Holiday Party,  Wednesday, December 22nd. For more info please contact Brenda x323 or brenda@hydesquare.org

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

* 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

We are always SEEKING NEW VOLUNTEERS to work with youth and support our programs.  To download a flyer on current volunteer opportunities, go to http://www.hydesquare.org/volopps.pdf or contact Yi Chin Chen at 617-524-8303 x303 or at yichin@hydesquare.org. 

And of course we always WELCOME YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.  To make an online donation, please visit http://www.hydesquare.org/involved_donation.htm

FOR A COMPLETE STAFF DIRECTORY: http://www.hydesquare.org/involved_contact.htm - Staff Directory

FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE: http://www.hydesquare.org/directions.htm 

TO ADD OR REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM OUR E-UPDATES MAILING LIST, please email paul@hydesquare.org