Our educational programs serve over 1000 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.
College and Career Success Pipeline
College and Career Success Pipeline (PCCP)
The Paths to College and Careers Program (PCCP) promotes long-term success of youth through college and career preparation. Initiated in 2003 to cultivate ambition in local youth, PCCP serves over 250 high school and college youth each year. This is a three-part program. First, participants benefit from 3 years of early and on-going planning and exposure to college and receive one-on-one support through the College Exploration Mentoring Program. They participate in community-based social action projects and assume responsibility for their own development. They develop essential college success skills that help them successfully graduate from high school and college. Then, during senior year, the College-Bound Mentoring Program allows youth to engage in one-on-one relationships with college and community volunteers who are role models, teachers, and friends. They receive regular exposure to the college environment, which increases their aspiration to attend college and facilitates their college application process. Finally, the Success Boston Initiative at HSTF provides continuous peer coaching support through college graduation.
The entire PCCP Program engages multiple stakeholders, including parents, high school teachers/guidance counselors, and higher education partners to ensure a network of support through the multi-year pipeline. The PCCP Program targets those youth who are least likely to succeed. They are Boston Public School students from non-exam high schools who are between 14 and 15 years old, live or attend school in Jamaica Plain or Roxbury, have a C average or below, and are not currently involved in any co-curricular activities in or outside of school. According to a recent report from the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, only 65% of Boston Public School graduates from the Class of 2000 went to college, and just 24% of the graduates from Boston’s non-exam schools received a college degree within 7 years. By contrast, since 2003, 100% of HSTF's youth leaders have enrolled in college and 80% have graduated within 5 years. HSTF was recently recognized by Root Cause as one of seven Boston-based organizations excelling in the work of preparing youth for college success.
For more information about PCCP or Success Boston, contact Joel at (617) 524-8303 x 313 or at joel@hydesquare.org
College Coaches
Liz Marie Franjul is a 2nd year Transitional Coach for the Success Boston Initiative. She was first introduced to Hyde Square Task Force at the age of 15. Her first role at the organization was as a Youth Literacy Tutor at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School. She then came back as an alum working with the Middle School Students as well as Evening Receptionist. Liz is now in her third year working as a Success Boston Transitional Coach helping incoming and current college students make a successful transition from high school to college. She is also a current college student herself at Bunker Hill Community College majoring in Criminal Justice, with future plans of transferring and completing her Bachelor’s Degree. She is serving her 3rd year as a Transitional Coach.
Email: liz@hydesquare.org
Elicelot (Eli) Encarnacion is a 2nd year Success Boston Transitional Coach with the Hyde Square Task Force. This is her first year as a Transitional Coach. She graduated from Lesley University in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Counseling Psychology. While working as a Family Support Worker with children experiencing severe emotional disabilities for almost 3 years she decided to begin her Master's degree at Simmons College of Social Work. In the summer of 2012, Eli joined the Hyde Square Task Force as a way of giving back to Jamaica Plain, the place where she grew up. She hopes to continue to support inner city college students through the Success Boston program as a transitional coach. This year, she will be working with second-year college students as a dependable support system to finalize the transition from high school to college and to ensure success at the end of their second year.
Email: eli@hydesquare.org
Jamal Ibrahim, a Transitional Coach of Hyde Square Task Force, started as a youth in 2005 mentoring at The Boys and Girls Club of Brockton. After high school he attended community college part-time, while working full-time at a family restaurant in Nebraska. As the business failed he saw opportunity to come back to Massachusetts to focus on school fulltime at Bunkerhill C.C. .There, he rekindled his passion for community based work and leadership. In 2011 Jamal found himself mentoring at Hyde square. As a non traditional college student, coming out of a discouraging environment, Jamal believes that his path and experiences will assist other with finding THEIR road to Success. In spring of 2013 Jamal intends on grad. with a Anthropology major, a Pysch and Bio minor while fulfilling the Biobehavioral studies program at Umass Boston.
Email: jamal@hydesquare.org
School-based partnerships have always been an important part of the work of the Hyde Square Task Force. We believe in bringing our expertise in youth development to under-resourced schools, expanding our outreach, and supporting schools in developing students more holistically. Our programs have grown from an After-School Program at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School to also include Latin Dance, Music, Leadership, and College preparation for students of all ages.
LTD is an opportunity for BPS students to be physically active during the school day, explore culture, and express creativity through dance. The program brings professional and Ritmo en Acción alumni instructors of Afro-Latin and contemporary dance to hundreds of Boston Public School students every year. We provide an opportunity for students to be physically active – something the schools often don’t have the capacity to do. The fun involved in learning dance techniques, basic choreography, and partnering gives students something different to look forward to at school, and their sense of pride is evident when they get the chance to perform at the end of each session. Current partnerships are with the John F Kennedy Elementary School, Fenway High School, and the Boston Green Academy. Past partnerships include the Curley K-8 School, the Guild Elementary School, and the Agassiz Elementary School. For more information about LTD, contact Barbara at (617) 524-8303 x 327 or barbara@hydesquare.org
One of the programs we’ve had the longest, our after school program at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School supports children’s development through academic enrichment and the arts. Currently, this program serves children grade 1-5, providing motivating activities which complement and support classroom learning and get kids moving. Students in the program benefit from regular work with HSTF’s Youth Literacy Theater members, local teens who serve as positive role models while leading children in literacy building exercises. Participants engage in a variety of cultural activities, including Afro-Latin and contemporary dance classes taught by HSTF’s Ritmo en Acción teen dancers. Participants also have the opportunity to visit our Music Clubhouse for hands-on music education. HSTF’s community-school partnership model for providing positive after school programming won the 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 Barbara at (617) 524-8303 x 327 or barbara@hydesquare.org.
Our partnership with English High School gives students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to learn Latin dance, music, and leadership in credited daily elective classes during the school day. We are assisting the school in meeting the needs of the school they aren’t able to provide through regular staffing. In our Latin dance classes, students have the opportunity to learn basic steps, choreography, and the origins of different styles of Latin dance. Students in our Music class have the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of music, explore different genres, and create music together. In our Leadership class, students learn skills in college and career exploration, teamwork, and leadership. Along the way, students in these three electives gain communication skills and are able to celebrate their accomplishments through performances and presentations. English High School is a Boston Turnaround school; we work closely with the Principal and other key administrators to provide something more to the school day to enhance the learning students get in the traditional classroom.
For more information about the English High School electives, contact Barbara at (617) 524-8303 x 327 or barbara@hydesquare.org.
Cultural Programs
Our Cultural Programs bring the Hyde Square Task Force’s Cheverus Building to life every day. Through our Music Clubhouse, La Voz ensemble, Community Dance classes, and Summer Discovery Program, youth ages 6-18 have the opportunity to learn, become connected with their community, and express themselves through the arts. The Cheverus operates as a community service center for neighborhood youth. Without these programs, the youth we serve would not have these opportunities elsewhere. For more information about Cultural Programs, contact Barbara at 617-524-8303 x327 or barbara@hydesquare.org
Summer Discovery Program
Targeting rising 4th and 5th grade students from the John F. Kennedy Elementary School, the program focuses on reversing summer learning loss in language arts and math through project-based learning activities. HSTF alumnae and current leaders work alongside Kennedy School teachers, and incorporate dance, visual arts, music, literacy, physical activity, community building, science, language arts, and math.
Community Dance Classes
Through our Community Dance classes, youth ages 6-18 have the opportunity to learn Latin and Hip Hop dance and perform for family, friends, and community members throughout the year. The classes are taught by members of our Ritmo en Acción youth leadership program.
Music Clubhouse
The Music Clubhouse (MCH) is a program engaging youth ages 10-18 through hands-on music education, workshops, and performance opportunities. The Music Clubhouse works with hundreds of young people each week through individual and small group instruction, drop in music exploration, showcases, community events, and La Voz. La Voz is a Music Clubhouse ensemble with a mission to create social change through music. With the help of the MCH staff and other resources, youth have learned to harness their experiences to write meaningful music about difficult issues that affect youth. Their music and lyrics encourage personal integrity and positive forward movement.
Please click here to hear 2010-2011 La Voz tracks.
Please click here see clip from a live performance
-For more information about the HSTF Music Clubhouse, contact Aimee at (617) 524-8303 x 312 or aimee@hydesquare.org