Our educational programs serve over 500 elementary, middle, and high school students each year. By combining literacy development with the arts, physical fitness, and relationship-building in unique and powerful ways, HSTF enriches students’ academic experience, involves families and makes learning a priority in our community. Programs include:
- Kennedy After School Program
- Paths to College & Careers Program (PCCP)
- Women Engaged in Physical Activity (WEPA)
Arts in the Summer
Arts in the Summer is a 6-week full-day summer program for youth in grades 1-8. Arts in the Summer is a low-cost program that engages participants through dance, music, sports and other creative projects. Youth take weekly field trips and have opportunities to perform for families and the community at our weekly Summer Nights Out events.
For more information, contact Jazmin at (617) 524-8303 or jazmin@hydesquare.org
Click here to view / download an application for Arts in the Summer.
Presione aquí para ver / bajar une solicitud para Artes en el Verano.
HSTF Music Clubhouse
The Hyde Square Task Force Music Clubhouse is a new initiative to engage youth ages 10-18 through hands-on music education, performance and community-building activities. This year, we will engage more than 500 youth through regular individual and small group instruction, drop in community jams, performance opportunities, and our new state of the art youth-led recording studio. Activities are offered Monday-Friday between 3 – 8 pm in our newly-renovated music practice space and recording studio at the Cheverus Building. The HSTF Music Clubhouse is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from the Music & Youth Initiative and the expertise and in-kind support of Berklee College of Music.
For more information about the HSTF Music Clubhouse, contact Aimee at (617) 524-8303 x 312 or aimee@hydesquare.org
Kennedy After School Program
The Hyde Square Task Force’s after school program at the Kennedy Elementary School supports children’s development through academic enrichment and the arts. Currently, this program serves children in grades 1-5, providing motivating activities which complement and support classroom learning and get kids moving... Students in this program benefit from regular work with HSTF’s Youth Literacy Tutors, local teens who serve as positive role models while leading children in literacy building exercises and providing one-on-one homework help. Participants engage in a variety of cultural activities, including Afro-Latin and contemporary dance classes taught by HSTF’s Ritmo en Acción teen dancers. HSTF’s community-school partnership model for providing positive after school programming won the 1999 City of Excellence Award in the category of “Innovations in Education” from the Boston Management Consortium.
For more information about the Kennedy After School Program, contact Ana at (617) 524-8303 x 324 or ana@hydesquare.org.
Learn Thru Dance (LTD)
Learn Thru Dance (LTD) is an opportunity for BPS students to be physically active during the school day while exploring culture and building academic skills. The program, which has an in-school and an after-school component, brings professional and Ritmo en Acción alumni instructors of Afro-Latin and contemporary dance to 150 4th and 5th grade students at the Kennedy Elementary School. The fun they have learning dance techniques, basic choreography and partnering gives students something to look forward to at school, and their motivation carries over to related lessons in literacy and on the history and cultural origins of the dance styles. Most recently, LTD participants have gained access to the music interns and instruments of our new HSTF Music Clubhouse. Children in the LTD program have the opportunity to see various performances by local musicians and dancers and to perform themselves for their parents and the school community.
For more information about LTD, contact Brenda at (617) 524-8303 x 323 or brenda@hydesquare.org
M.I.S.T.E.R.
Men In Search of Truth and Empowering Response is a young men’s group based out of the Hyde Square Task Force. These young men strive to develop an understanding of themselves and their role in the community as well as within the organization. As a group of young men who care about the well being of their community, they strive to make themselves role models for others by supporting positive causes, raising awareness about the many issues Black, Latino, and Asian youth face today, and finding meaningful and real solutions to these same issues. MISTER participants pride themselves on becoming leaders at the Hyde Square Task Force and among their peers. They work to spread the truth and inspire one another to help create change for others.
For more information about MISTER, contact Guy at (617) 524-8303 x 302 or guy@hydesquare.org
Paths to College and Careers Program (PCCP)
Paths to College and Careers Program (PCCP) promotes the long-term success of youth through college and career preparation. Initiated in 2003 as a way to cultivate higher ambitions in local youth, PCCP currently serves over 100 middle school and high school youth. PCCP is based on the belief that, as youth begin to envision higher education and satisfying careers as attainable goals, they will be more motivated to stay in school and succeed. Youth participate in various college and career oriented activities and workshops through the program, such as job shadows, college campus visits, resume development, and interview skills. Our Academic Tutorial Program and Nuestros Jovenes Mentoring programs allow participating youth to engage in relationships with college and community volunteers who act as role models, teachers and friends. Through innovative and sustained academic support programs, that many participants continue to utilize even after high school graduation, PCCP helps local youth work toward a bright future.
For more information about PCCP, contact Peter at (617) 524-8303 x 313 or peter@hydesquare.org
Women Engaged in Physical Activity (WEPA)
Women Engaged in Physical Activity (WEPA) creates a safe, girls-only space where young women can gain confidence, and improve their well being and their leadership skills through culturally relevant physical fitness and health awareness. Traditionally, girls have fewer opportunities to be physically active than their male counterparts. WEPA was established to combat the growing trends of obesity and physical inactivity among girls in our community through Afro-Latin and contemporary dance, sports, Pilates and martial arts. Today WEPA reaches 75 girls, ages 6 - 18, with positive opportunities for physical and social development. Workshops focus on topics like food choice, substance abuse and sexual health. Through discussions about body image, conflict resolution and communication strategies, WEPA girls build confidence and leadership skills; they learn to make positive choices and to lead healthy lives.
For more information about WEPA, contact Ana at (617) 524-8303 x 324 or ana@hydesquare.org