What We Do

MPDC promotes healthy homes, healthy people, and healthy communities. We empower residents and encourage them to connect with each other – and with the community.

How We Do It:

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

Current Projects

• Fitness Program: The Fitness program helps participants to develop a healthier wellness routine and provides fitness education
• Supermarket Tours: Tours provide education on shopping for healthy foods on a budget and increase food security
• Meal Preparation and Participation Class (MPP): Classes to educate participants about healthy food, food access, and food preparation
• Community Gardens:  The Community Garden initiative promotes healthy eating, urban farming, physical activity, and social connectedness for all ages

Check out Health Equity & Community Wellness’ info sheet!

Roxbury In Motion

Roxbury in Motion is a coalition of community partners and residents working on three project areas: urban growing, active transit, and complete streets.

Who Are We?

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

How We Do It:

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.

Current Projects:

• PLAN: Nubian Square
• Corridor Redesigns
• Public Art

Why is this important?

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.

Why should you be involved?

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 

Peer Health Leader Program

Healthy neighbors build healthy neighborhoods!

How We Do It:

 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

Community Garden Program & Kids’ Garden Club

MPDC’s Community Garden Program allows residents & their kids to grow healthy foods, meet their neighbors, and learn about gardening & healthy recipes.

How We Do It:

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

Get Involved!

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