Funders' Network releases Claudio Martinez's Bollman Award speech.

Click here to read.

Hyde Square Task Force receives the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award

With Bank of America's selection of Hyde Square Task Force for the prestigious Neighborhood Builder Award we join the ranks of local partners including the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), Teen Empowerment, and Urban Edge who have received the award in the past.

Claudio Martinez, our Executive Director, said, "We are pleased Bank of America selected the Hyde Square Task Force family, our youth, our neighborhood, our partners and supporters for the Neighborhood Builder Award. BoA's support will enable us to continue to create a new generation of leaders in our great City."

Recognized November 10, 2011 along with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, we have been provided with a $200,000 unrestricted grant and leadership training from Bank of America. The program works with 92 high-impact nonprofits across 44 U.S. cities and London. Since the beginning of the program in 2004, Bank of America has invested $3.6 million in Massachusetts.

Root Cause Recognizes HSTF's College Prep Program

Report recommends HSTF as one of Boston's best for college preparation and success

In a recently released report on college access and success, Hyde Square Task Force was recognized as one of the top Greater Boston organizations focused on improving opportunities for at-risk youth to attend college and to succeed once enrolled. Root Cause, a non-profit research and consulting firm that studies on social impact issues, evaluated 50 youth-serving organizations in the Greater Boston area on how well they support youth in three key areas: academic preparation and enrichment, college knowledge an aspirations, and financial planning and aid. HSTF is one of just seven Root Cause-recommended organizations.

At HSTF, youth start on a trajectory towards college success from day one. As soon as they join HSTF's leadership programs (typically as 9th or 10th graders), youth are given the support and guidance that puts college within their reach. But it doesn't stop there. HSTF graduates also receive year-round coaching and support throughout their first two years of college-crucial years in which students are most vulnerable to dropping out.

Through early messaging about college, long-term mentoring, skill development, and application and financial aid assistance, HSTF youth are far outpacing their peers in both high school graduation and college success rates. While fewer than 60% of Black and Hispanic Boston Public School students enroll in college, 100% of HSTF youth enroll in college and 80% graduate within three to five years, with the remaining 20% continuing to pursue an undergraduate degree.

For more information about the Root Cause report, contact Yi Chin Chen at yichin@hydesquare.org or (617)524-8303 x303. The report in its entirety can be found at www.rootcause.org.

The HSTF Organizational Video is Here!

After the world premiere at our Annual Meeting on June 18th, the HSTF Organizational Video is finally being released for all to see! (We know you've been waiting patiently for it!)

Check it out!

A huge congratulations to Alex Gomez and the Intercultural Productions team for their amazing work creating the film. And a big shout out to all of our youth, whose efforts, struggles, and triumphs make this a video worth watching

Latest Annual Report Now Available

Read about our growth over the past year, as we continue finding new ways to expand youth leadership opportunities, promote civic engagement, build positive relationships, enrich academics, and celebrate culture and community. To get a copy of our new report, you can pick one up at our office (375 Centre St.) or contact Paul at (617) 524-8303 x 321 or paul@hydesquare.org