What is "Community"?
Artist and staff member Jesse Jolly helps youth at our 2006 Annual Meeting answer the question, "What is community?", using paint on canvas squares. Jesse then sewed the panels together to form a quilt.
Building a Stronger Urban Community
At the Hyde Square Task Force, our "community" includes hundreds of individual contributors who help us fulfill our mission, "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." College students tutor children in our after school programs at local schools and work with teens through our Evening Tutorial Program. Neighborhood residents act as college mentors to our graduating seniors through our Nuestros Jóvenes program. Through our Paths to College and Careers Program, area professionals speak on career panels and provide job shadow opportunities that help our teens explore the world of work and nurture future ambitions. Program alumni/ae come back to us as Board members and work with community members to develop and refine our programs. And over 200 individual donors contribute unrestricted financial support for high-intensity (6-15 hours/wk) youth programs that will engage more than 500 youth in the coming year through our youth education and leadership development programs.
Click here to view a complete list of our supporters.
Curley Entrepreneurship Clubs Grand Opening a Success!
On Thursday February 15th, the Curley After School Entrepreneurship Clubs celebrated their new business ventures with a successful kick-off event. The Money Maker$, a creative service club, planned and hosted the event which showcased handmade jewelry created by the Dynamic Arts Club and chocolate chip cookies baked by the Cookie Monsterz. Each club also gave a brief presentation detailing their efforts in starting the businesses, and describing what they have learned as young entrepreneurs. The event was attended by Hyde Square Task Force youth, staff and families, as well as local press. Since the Grand Opening, the Cookie Monsterz have been invited to sell their baked goods at local restaurants City Feed and Supply and Bella Luna. Cookies made by the club will be available at both locations on March 10th. The Dynamic Arts group has been hired by the JPNDC to create community-based designs on potted plants as gifts for new home owners in Jamaica Plain. The Money Maker$ are currently organizing a basketball tournament that will take place at the Curley Middle School, scheduled to take place at the end of March. We would like to thank all of our supporters in the community for helping to make the Curley Entrepreneurship Clubs possible!
For more information on the Curley Entrepreneurship Clubs, 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.
Click for information about the Curley Entrepreneurship Clubs in Adobe PDF format
Click to view the Pledge Form in Adobe PDF format
To download a free copy of Adobe Reader, go to: 
The Milky Way Hosts a Night In Support of the Hyde Square Task Force
This Wednesday, March 7th, the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes is sponsoring a free DJ night benefiting the Hyde Square Task Force. A variety of local bands will be performing; styles of music include punk, indie and classic rock, as well as hip hop. Admission to the event is free; Milky Way booking and promotions manager has suggested those who attend make a $3.00 donation. All of the proceeds will be given Hyde Square Task Force programs. Please come out and enjoy some live music while supporting the Hyde Square Task Force and the community we serve! The Milky Way Lounge & Lanes is located at 405 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.
Click here for more information on the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes
Vote for the Hyde Square Task Force!
Re-Zoom, an online organization whose mission is “redefining life for an ageless generation,” is recognizing non-profits that have had a significant impact in the communities they serve. Re-Zoom’s nationwide A Better World grant relies on community members to vote for an organization they believe is creating positive change in the lives of others. The Hyde Square Task Force has been nominated on the regional level, making us eligible for a $5,000 grant based on the number of votes we receive from friends and supporters. In addition, regional nominees with the most votes will be eligible to win ReZoom’s national A Better World grant of $100,000.
JP Trees and Earthworks Invite Jamaica Plain Residents to Go Green
JP Trees, a local organization, is collaborating with EarthWorks to encourage the planting of “setback” trees on privately owned property near public rights of way throughout Jamaica Plain. JP Trees and Earthworks have volunteered to plant setback trees in the yards of Jamaica Plain property owners during the months of March, April, and May. There is no cost to residents for the trees; EarthWorks only asks that those who allow trees to be planted on their property be willing to care for them. The setback tree program is an effort to create a healthy and sustainable urban community and increase the communal benefits of trees.
HSTF Youth Join Beaver Country Teens to Break Down Barriers
Together with the Social Action Leaders and Student Council from Beaver Country Day School of Chestnut Hill, MA, the HSTF Youth Advisory Council has planned and implemented the first of several all-day trainings on diversity and leadership. These events are attended by all members of the Hyde Square Task Force’s youth teams and many students from the Beaver Country Day School. The first full-day training on February 3rd focused on learning about diversity and forming connections between the two groups. Participating youth felt that the day’s activities succeeded in creating greater understanding and cooperation among the teens. The next meeting with Beaver Country students, hosted by the Hyde Square Task Force, is scheduled for April 28th and will be centered on leadership dev elopement and motivating youth to create social change.
For more information on the Youth Advisory Council or this event, contact Jesús at (617) 524-8303 x 304 or at jesus@hydesquare.org.
2005 Annual Report Now Available
Read about what we’ve done over the past year to enrich academics, prepare for college & careers, promote literacy, create positive relationships, inspire ambitions, take action, 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 x321 or paul@hydesquare.org.
Click here to download the 2005 Annual Report in Adobe PDF format (file size: 2.7 MB)
To download a free copy of Adobe Reader, go to:
To see more highlights, go to our Archives section.
Banner photo by Carol Palmer c 2002 www.BrilliantPictures.com