JPNDC Annual Meeting Draws Large Crowd, Celebrates Success and Looks Toward the Future

By Lauren Bennett

    The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) held its annual meeting on May 20 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall. Singer Eli Pabon entertained the crowd while they mingled and enjoyed a catered buffet. Several speakers gave presentations about what the organization has done over the past year, and what it is looking forward to in the coming year. Awards were also presented to people who have tremendously given back to the community.

    “I have not seen this place like this in may years,” said JPNDC Co-Chair BashierKayou. “It is packed.” He spoke of JPNDC’s more than 40-year commitment to meeting the needs of low income people, and spoke about some “key areas” that are “critical” for the future of the organization, which include organizing with partners and continuing their relationship with the Mildred Hailey Apartments. Kayou said another focus must be on racial equality.

    “We have the voice and the power to do something about it,” he said. “We can no longer sit quietly in this space. We need to get up and do something and make a difference in this world.”

    JPNDC Executive Director Richard Thal said that the JPNDC is “more ready than ever” to work    to make JP and the rest of Boston “a better and more equitable community.”

    He said that to do this, the organization needs to embrace more of a citywide role. The JPNDC has been working with people from other neighborhoods in the city through their family childcare program, financial counseling, job placement, and working with small businesses.

    “We not have more than 80 percent of the folks in our programs live in other neighborhood in Boston, and that is a good thing,” Thal said. He praised the staff for their “amazing work” and dedication to helping people across the entire city.

    Tahl talked about some of the work that the JPNDC has done recentyly, which includes saving 200 homes from what was once the Lorenzo Pitts portfolio in Roxbury and Dorchester. Last fall, they put together a financial package totaling $90 million. “The fact that those are now permanently affordable homes; that’s a great accomplishment,” he said.

    “We are doing way more than we’ve ever done in Jamaica Plain to preserve and create new affordable homes,” Thal continued. “That only happens because there’s so many people who care so much in this neighborhood.”

    At 125 Amory St., Thal said the JPNDC, along with the Community Builders, took ownership of the property from the Boston Housing Authority. He said there are 200 households there now, but after “major renovations,” 12 more deeply permanently affordable units will be added as well.

    This summer, at 25 Amory St., ground will be broken on a “beautifully designed project” that will provide housing for 44 low-income families, he said.

    There are also plans to build a Prosperity center in the Brewery, which the JPNDC hopes will provide services to at least 700 families a year. He said they will keep the community updated as more information about the project becomes available.

            “What folks do in this community is amazing, and it’s what sustains us,” Thal said. “I can’t express enough gratitude and just say thank you, thank you, thank you. We’re going to keep fighting.”

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