We offer programming that encourages both individual residents and families to be physically active and to make use of public green spaces. MPDC works with resident leaders to plan activities such as community gardening, walking clubs, running groups, and exercise classes that bring people together and keep them active. This helps them achieve their health and wellness goals and facilitates a sense of community within the neighborhood.
To Learn More, contact Leslie Stafford / 617.849.6231
We are part of a statewide movement that works to change the conditions that affect health and equalize access to the things that keep us healthy in Roxbury. Furthermore, our project work to reduce barriers to healthy living and increase access to health opportunities
Our work is centered to focus on WHO is part of the decision-making team, HOW decisions are made, WHO will benefit from our work, and WHAT projects we focus on. We work with resident groups like the Madison-Whittier Coalition and local organizations to share information and solicit feedback from residents about planning processes happening in Lower Roxbury.
Madison-Whittier Coalition
The Madison-Whittier Coalition is a means of empowering residents with the knowledge and social capital so that they have influence over the built environment in Lower Roxbury. The Madison-Whittier Coalition was founded in 2011 as a means of bringing resident voice to the Whittier Choice process. Historically, Lower Roxbury has been excluded from the envisioning of the future. Through the Madison-Whittier Coalition, residents are able to positively affect the public health of Lower Roxbury by being a part of the decision-making process for changes in systems, policies, and the built environment. Since its’ inception, the Madison-Whittier Coalition has had many impacts on the built environment of Lower Roxbury. Members began by providing input in the Whittier Choice process. Since then, MWC members have had an impact on the Ruggles Street redesign, namely in keeping part of it a two-way street.
These projects are important because they address the social determinants of health, which refer to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Our project areas work to reduce barriers to healthy living and increase access to health opportunities. The project strategies are long-term, sustainable, impactful ways to improve community health in Roxbury.
As a Roxbury resident or a community organization, we need your voice to help influence how these projects happen. Understanding neighborhood priorities and needs help us advocate for improvements and projects that will more effectively benefit the Roxbury area. If you are interested in getting more involved with Roxbury in Motion, we invite you to take this short survey.
To Learn More contact Chavella Lee-Pacheco / 617.849.6223
The Peer Health Leader Program is a group of residents who all work together to promote health in the Roxbury community. They do this through outreach, planning promotional health events, sharing information about health topics, educating community members about healthy living, and helping residents get engaged in health activities. The Peer Health Leader Program was started in 2005 by Dana Farber Cancer Institute to help reduce the significant cancer disparities that existed in the Roxbury community.
Learn more about the Peer Health Leader Program here or contact Chavella Lee-Pacheco / 617.849.6223
Orchard Gardens Community Garden and Madison Park Village Community Garden are the two gardens for use by residents of MPDC properties. The residents work together to grow and harvest fresh produce for their community.
To Learn More, contact Leslie Stafford / 617.849.6231