A Very Successful Summer!

Summer Discovery Program “At first I didn’t want to be here, [but] now that the program is ending I wish that I could stay here until school opens up!” one participant said. In groups led by a HSTF alum and two youth leaders, 28 rising 4th and 5th graders from the Kennedy School in Jamaica Plain learned math, science, literacy, visual arts, community building, physical activity, dance and music, teamwork, friendship, and self- and community-identity this summer. Kennedy teacher and Summer Discovery staff Kathyann Moody said, “It is a wonderful experience when everyone has the same dedication and focus for the students.” The participants were eager to learn and inspired to work hard to add skills to make positive changes in their lives. The program was funded by Boston After School & Beyond/The Boston Opportunity Agenda, Associated Grant Makers (AGM) and BPS Department of Extended Learning Time, Afterschool, and Services (DELTAS).Success Boston – Paths to College and Careers Program The Success Boston 2011 Summer Academy was 6 weeks of college success skills: communication, advocacy, self-management, and resiliency. One-on-one coaching and trips to college campuses rounded out the program. Over 120 youth were mentored. Not just a classroom-based program,

TRANSFORMING YOUTH • TRANSFORMING COMMUNITYFAll 2011

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the summer included a trip to Community Rowing framed around training on individual resiliency. 100% of youth in this program are accepted, enroll, and enter college.Community Development Youth TeamZumba, face-painting, literacy activities and youth performances brought the Hyde/Jackson community together for five Summer Nights Out. A 22-member Community Development Youth Team planned the series and many increased their engagement by stepping into new roles, such as emcee and stage manager. The teen leaders also took field trips to ROCA, UTEC, Zumix, Berklee College of Music, and the Theater Offensive to learn how others are strengthening community in Greater Boston. Feedback sessions and team-based programming rounded out their experience.Hyde Square Task Force Music ClubhouseThe HSTF Music Clubhouse was hopping with youth in lessons and youth dropping in each day. The HSTF Music Clubhouse also provided formal music education to the 28 Summer Discovery Program students. They learned note reading, received instrumental instruction, and composed original music. Continuing to grow and delight audiences, La Voz, the HSTF Music Clubhouse’s ensemble, performed for approximately1200 people at events across the city. w

“�Desde el 2007 hemos trabajado con más de 1000 estudiantes durante el día escolar en nuestro programa Aprende Bailando enseñandoles diferentes destrezas a través de la danza.”

las escuelas públicas locales es una de las razones el Comité recibió el Premio Coming Up Taller en el 2007 y fue seleccionado para presentarse en la Casa Blanca. Según Brenda Andujar-Rodríguez, Directora de Programa, “Nuestros jóvenes están aprendiendo con dos de los mejores profesionales del baile Latino en el mundo [pero ellos] son humildes y esa es una lección valiosa para los jóvenes.” Esa es la colaboración perfecta. w

“Cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles – es fácil caer en la negatividad. Es importante tener modelos de comportamiento positivos,” dice Burju Hurturk Pérez, quien junto con Víctor Pérez, dirige la Compañía de Baile Hacha y Machete (HYM.) HYM ha colaborado con el Comité desde el 2002, cuando comenzó nuestro programa de baile y ha contribuido grandemente a darle forma al programa. Burju dice que, “es bueno que el adolescente tenga a alguien que admira que lo empuje.” La dedicación en su trabajo con Ritmo en Acción y Aprende Bailando en

Summer Discovery youth and Aimee sing together.

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Programa Descubrimientos de Verano “¡Al principio no quería estar aquí, [pero] ahora que el programa se está terminando ¡quisiera quedarme hasta que empezaran las clases!” Uno de los participantes del Programa Descubri-mientos de Verano dijo lo que pensaba durante la ceremonia de graduación y Presentaciones de Verano. Cada uno de los grupos, dirigidos por un graduado del Comité y dos líderes juveniles, e integrado por 28 estudiantes del 4to y 5to año de la Escuela John F. Kennedy de Jamaica Plain pasaron el verano aprendiendo matemáticas,

ciencias, lectura, artes visuales, organización comunitaria, educación física, baile y música. También se enfocaron en el trabajo en equipo, la amistad y la identidad personal y comunitaria. Kathyann Moody, maestra de la Kennedy y parte del personal del programa explica, “Siempre es una experiencia increíble cuando todos tienen la misma dedicación y enfoque con los estu-diantes.” Ana Almeida-DoRosario, del personal del Comité dice que, “lo más valioso del programa fue ver las ansias de aprender de los participantes y verlos inspirados para trabajar con ganas para desarrollar destrezas que los ayuden a mejorar sus vidas.” El programa recibió fondos de Boston After School & Beyond/The Boston Opportunity Agenda, Associated Grant Makers (AGM), y el Departamento de Aprendizaje en

¡Un Verano Exitoso!

About HSTF:Founded in 1991, the Hyde Square Task Force serves more than 1000 youth ages 6-21 each year from Jamaica Plain and Roxbury through award-winning programs in:• Youth Leadership Development• College Preparation & Academic

Support• Arts & Cultural Enrichment• Youth-led Organizing and Community

Development Initiatives

Our mission is to develop the skills of youth and their families so they are empowered to enhance their own lives and build a strong and vibrant urban community.

Two decades of Transforming Youth, Transforming Community.

Sobre el Comité de Hyde Square:El Comité de Hyde Square, fundado en 1991, le presta servicios anualmente a más de 1000 jóvenes de 6 a 21 años de edad residentes de Jamaica Plain y Roxbury, a través de sus reconocidos programas de:• Desarrollo de Liderazgo Juvenil• Preparación Pre-universitaria y

Apoyo Académico• Avance Artístico y Cultural• Iniciativas de Organización Liderada

por los Jóvenes y de Desarrollo Comunitario

Nuestra misión es contribuir a la capacitación de los jóvenes y sus familias para que puedan mejorar sus condiciones de vida y forjar una comunidad urbana más sólida y dinámica.

Dos décadas transformando a nuestros jóvenes y nuestra comunidad.

Tiempo Adicional, Después de Clases, y Servicios (DELTAS, por sus siglas en Inglés) del Sistema de Escuelas Públicas de Boston.Éxito Boston – Programa de Capacitación Profesional y Pre-universitariaLa Academia de Verano Éxito Boston 2011 fue un programa de 6 semanas enfocado en destrezas conducentes al éxito en la universidad tales como la comunicación, la auto-valoración, la organi-zación personal y la fortaleza interna. La atención individual y las visitas a las universidades redondearon el programa. El grupo de mentores se reunió con más de 120 jóvenes este verano. Este no es sólo un programa de aula: una de las mejores actividades del verano fue la visita al Club de Remo Comunitario que incluyó remar en el Río Charles, enmarcado como un entrena-miento de fortaleza individual. Cien por ciento de los jóvenes de este programa ingresan, se matriculan y van a la universidad.Equipo de Desarrollo Juvenil ComunitarioEl baile Zumba, las mascaras pintadas en las caras de los niños, las actividades literarias y las presentaciones de los jóvenes congregaron este verano a la comunidad de Hyde/Jackson durante cinco Noches de Verano. Un Equipo de Desarrollo Juvenil Comunitario de 22 personas planificó la serie en junio y agosto y muchos jóvenes incrementaron su participación al asumir nuevos roles, ya sea cómo maestros de ceremonias o directores de escenarios. Más de 100 residentes bailaron en las cada vez más populares clases públicas de Zumba. El grupo de líderes juveniles también visitó ROCA en Chelsea, UTEC en Lowell, Zumix en East Boston, y el Berklee College of Music, y vio presentaciones de grupo Theater Offensive para aprender como otros grupos fortalecen sus comunidades en Boston. Las sesiones de reflexión y programación de equipo redondearon su experiencia.El Club de Música del Comité de Hyde SquareEl Club de Música del Comité saltaba con la energía de los jóvenes que tomaban clases y los que llegaban todos los días. No sólo eso, pero el Club de Música del Comité también ofrecía clases formales de música a los 28 estudiantes de primaria del Programa Descubrimientos de Verano, en las que se integraban la lectura y la música. Los jóvenes aprendieron a leer notas musicales, tocar instrumentos y componer música original. La Voz, el conjunto del Club de Música del Comité, que sigue creciendo y deleitando audiencias, se presentó ante cerca de 1,200 personas en eventos en toda la ciudad. w

BPS teacher and Summer Discovery staff member Hector Soto explains a bar graph.

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Cisnell Baez is an amazing young woman. There’s no way she wouldn’t have been. Her Hyde Square Task Force journey began when she was only 8, in the third grade at the JFK Elementary School in Jamaica Plain. She participated in the Kennedy After School Program and in summer programs staffed by older youth from HSTF.

Her journey continued in middle school, in the evening tutorial program at the Kennedy which bridged her transformation into a youth leader in the Youth Literacy Tutor (YLT) team as a first-year high school student. After two years as a YLT, Cisnell says, “I was very shy and I knew I had to work on public speaking,” so she transitioned to the Youth Community Organizers

She is Hyde Square Task Force: Cisnell Baezteam. There she learned to be more vocal and how to navigate and influence often confusing bureaucratic systems. Applying her learning, she says, “is why I knew how to get what I needed when I got to college.”

Cisnell was on a youth team that researched starting a new program at HSTF. She and others interviewed parents and worked with a consultant, and thus the Summer Arts Program was created. During her high school years, Cisnell also benefitted from college preparation provided to all HSTF youth. She visited campuses, worked with an adult mentor, and got help with her FASFA. She applied to Suffolk after graduation, but didn’t get enough financial aid. So she went

to community college and kept reapplying to Suffolk until she got enough aid. Now she is a History major with a minor in Foundations of Education with a goal to earn a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration.

She is currently a college transitional coach for high school students, a position which didn’t exist at HSTF when she was in high school, and acted as an interim coordinator for the Summer Academy program in 2010. In that role, she hired the coaches, and made certain 50 students received the support they needed.

All this from someone who says, “I wasn’t a confident person. I strive to better myself every day because of that. I aim high. As a female of color, I have support here at HSTF.” Yes, she does. And she has people who recognize her talent and help her hone it. Cisnell’s story is similar to many of the youth HSTF works with. They learn a type of mantra over time that Cisnell evokes, “When I want something, there is always a way to get that goal.” She says HSTF is her second family. She has parents, siblings, a home in JP, and a community at Suffolk. She says, though, “Wherever I am, I always have HSTF’s support. My peers – not just the adults. We take care of each other.” w

HYM�Dance��Company�is�the��Perfect�Partnership

“When situations are tough – it’s easy to fall into negativity. Positive role models are important – we are that and we also know what we’re doing for dance instruction!” Burju Hurturk Perez is emphatic about how much she enjoys working with the Ritmo en Acción dance team. HSTF has partnered with Hacha Y Machete Style (HYM) Dance Company since 2002, when our dance program began. Owned and run by Burju and Victor Perez, HYM has been an important part of shaping the program into what it is today.

Burju and Victor are professional, enthusiastic, and want nothing but the best for youth. Burju says, “Having discipline, motivation, and direction come from professionals is

important and when you’re a teenager, it’s good to have someone to look up to who can push you.” Working with Ritmo en Acción and Learn Thru Dance in local public schools, their dedicated work is one of the reasons HSTF received the Coming Up Taller Award in 2007 and why they were selected to perform at the

White House. According to Brenda Andujar-Rodriguez, Director of Programs, “Our youth are learning from two of the best Latin dance professionals in the world. Although they are as good as they are, they are humble and that is a very valuable lesson for the youth to learn.” It’s

Cisnell (top right) celebrates with other HSTF folks.

HYM on stage with Ritmo en Accion.

Get Involved!More than 100 college-age and adult volunteers support the success of our youth and programs each year. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

MENTOR a college-bound youth in our Paths to College and Careers Program, 2 hours per week, 8 hours per month during the school year (October – June). Training provided.

HELP US GROW OUR COMMUNITY! Creative and committed individuals needed for special committee to expand and deepen HSTF’s community of friends and supporters through communications and events.

ASSIST in various aspects of planning and staffing events, supporting community outreach, and creating a welcoming space for youth at our Cheverus Youth Center.

For more information please call 617-524-8303 or email us at [email protected].

To view a complete list of volunteer opportunities, please visit our website www.hydesquare.org and click on“Get Involved!”

You Are Hyde Square Task Force: Building

our community! ¡Tú también eres el

Comité de Hyde Square! ¡Juntos forjamos

nuestra comunidad!

At our pre-party before the Berklee College of Music/ Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) sponsored Tito Puente Latin Music Series concert in Mozart Park on June 30, over 40 people enjoyed food and beverages, mingled with HSTF youth and staff, and were treat-ed to a performance by La Voz, our vocal ensemble. Afterwards, we all walked over to Mozart to enjoy the concert by Grupo Fantasia and performances by Ritmo en Acción and La Voz.

Hundreds of neighbors were at the park well into the night and enjoyed the show. Everyone had a fantastic time!

Más de 40 personas compartieron potajes y bebidas con los jóvenes y el per-sonal del Comité, y gozaron con la presentación del grupo musical La Voz, en nuestra pre-celebración antes del concierto en el Parque Mozart del 30 de junio. Después fuimos al concierto del Grupo Fantasía, que fue parte de la Serie de Música Latina Tito Puente, auspiciado por Berklee College e Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción. Cientos de vecinos disfrutaron del espectáculo con nosotros.

Smiles, wine, and words flowed at our October 3 event at Tres Gatos, Boston’s newest tapas restaurant located right here in JP. Our own Ken Tangvik read from his recently released book, Don’t Mess with Tanya, and 48 people mingled, met neighbors, and learned more about HSTF. Special thanks to Tres Gatos for their sponsorship for this event.

Las sonrisas, el vino, y las palabras fluyeron en nuestro evento del 3 de octubre en Tres Gatos, en el que nuestro propio Ken Tangvik leyó secciones de su reciente libro Don’t Mess with Tanya. 48 personas se congregaron, compartieron con sus vecinos, y descubrieron algo nuevo sobre el Comité. Le agradecemos a Tres Gatos el auspicio de este evento.

We hosted a community-wide Jamaica Plain Open Studios Kick-Off Breakfast complete with donated pastries from local bakeries Canto 6 and Ula Café, and coffee donated by Equal Exchange and brewed by City Feed & Supply on September 24. Youth shared their art through energetic performances, and the first-ever JPOS bike tour departed from our Cheverus Building (also an artist host site for JPOS) after the breakfast. A major anonymous sponsor supported the event and over 50 people attended. Art and community are important in Jamaica Plain and at HSTF and this event brought the two together in a new way.

El 24 de septiembre auspiciamos la inauguración de los Estudios Abier-tos en Jamaica Plain con un Desayuno completo donado por Canto 6 y Ula Café y café de Equal Exchange servido por City Feed & Supply. Los jóvenes presentaron su arte y por primera vez salió del Edificio Cheverus (un anfitrión de los Estudios Abiertos) una gira en bicicletas de los Estudios. Un patrocinador anónimo apoyó el evento en el que parti-ciparon más de 50 personas. El arte y la comunidad son importantes en JP y para el Comité y este evento los juntó de forma novedosa.

Community members dance at the concert in Mozart Park.

JPOS Breakfast attendees watch as youth perform in the dance studio.

Steve Cohen, Caprice Taylor, Rose Tangvik, and Ken Tangvik chat at Tres Gatos.

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Victor Pimentel spent his summer differently than most rising high school seniors in Boston. Each morning, he reported to WilmerHale downtown to attend a class and then work as an intern. He said, “I wanted to challenge myself. Other summers I’ve been doing the same thing over and over and not learning anything new.” Anne Bowie, Public Service Manager at WilmerHale, who selects the participants for the Summer Leadership Institute (SLI), says she doesn’t look for the best students by usual standards, but instead for youth “who are willing to take a positive risk, give up their summer, and take a leap to experience something new.” She found them this summer – Victor and two other HSTF youth (Bessinger Frias and Sheila Reyes) were three of eight who were selected for the intensive experience.

WilmerHale, an international law firm with an office in Boston, provides pro bono legal services, donates money, and receives requests for support from hundreds of organizations each year. In 1998 they decided there was a better way to focus support, and the Youth and Education Initiative was born. For 13 years, they have partnered with a select group of four local organizations or schools at any given time. They select partners through a rigorous process including visits, interviews, and discussions. Partners benefit from four components: a multiple year partnership and unrestricted financial support; free legal services; programs for youth; and in-kind donations.

Hyde Square Task Force was selected this year. As part of the program, 80 youth visited WilmerHale’s offices during February and April vacations to participate in workshops, and other programs are in the works.

Victor was taught public speaking, civil rights, writing, art, and college preparation by certified local teachers hired by WilmerHale. Victor thought “the writing class was great – the teacher pushed us.” The youth are supervised by Bowie, but they also report to a supervisor, and are mentored by a lawyer in the firm. That is a lot of adult support in one summer! Victor worked in Human Resources and said, “…it was important that I did it right.”

Hyde Square Task Force is pleased to have been selected as a partner with WilmerHale. Victor said, “I would tell [another youth] to do it because they are going to learn a lot and meet a lot of people they never thought they would meet.” We thank WilmerHale and are looking forward to more amazing experiences for our youth in the next few years! w

Upcoming EvEnts

I Am Hyde Square Task Force Yo Soy el Comité de Hyde Square Photo Exhibit at Bella LunaNovember 6 – December 31

Each poster highlights one youth, alum, or person who makes HSTF amazing. JOIN US! November 17, 6 -8:30pm at Bella Luna for a celebration of the exhibit and for food, fun, music and community building. The event is free and open to the public– ARE YOU HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE YET? Be a part of us!

Winter ShowcaseDecember 8, 6-8 pm

Come watch our talented youth perform!Cheverus Building (behind the Blessed Sacrament Church), 365 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain

Three Kings Day CelebrationJanuary 6, 4-6 pm

Join in activities for kids! Cheverus Building (behind the Blessed Sacrament Church), 365 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain

Changing Together: Stories & Conversations of Youth and TransformationFebruary 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, 6:15-7:30 pmFirst Tuesday of each month from February – May.

Music Clubhouse IdolMarch 5, 12 and 19

Participate in or watch youth compete to become the champion!Cheverus Building (behind the Blessed Sacrament Church), 365 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain

Spring ShowcaseMay 3, 6-8 pm

Join us to highlight our talented youth!Cheverus Building (behind the Blessed Sacrament Church), 365 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain

For information I para informaciónHyde Square Task Force375 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130617-524-8303 [email protected] www.hydesquare.org

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A�Different��Kind�of�Summer�at�WilmerHale

Victor at a field trip to Fenway Park to meet Red Sox legal team.

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375 Centre Street (Office)

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www.hydesquare.org

Transforming Youth. Transforming Community.

I�am�Hyde�Square�Task�ForceTwo billboards sat high above Jamaica Plain from September 26 – October 23 as part of our I AM HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE | YO SOY EL COMITE DE HYDE SQUARE campaign. Keep an eye out for how YOU can be Hyde Square Task Force, too.

Yo�soy�el�Comité�de�Hyde�SquareDos carteles adornan lo alto de Jamaica Plain desde el 26 de septiembre al 23 de octubre como parte de nuestra campaña I AM HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE | YO SOY EL COMITÉ DE HYDE SQUARE. Manténganse al tanto en nuestra página Web, a través de su correo electrónico email o en el vecindario sobre la diferentes maneras en las que USTED también

puede ser el Comité de Hyde Square. w