Fall 2011 - Wheelock College

A Grand Reopening for
Mattahunt Community Center
Wheelock celebrated the
reopening of the Mattahunt
Community Center
in October, capping off
the transformation of the
formerly city-run facility into a center managed
by the College and hailed as a model for future
community centers across Boston.
Located in the Mattahunt School in Mattapan,
the Center had long been a valued asset
for neighborhood children and families. But
severe budget constraints prompted the City of
Boston in 2010 to stop providing services there.
Wheelock, which is already participating in a
variety of programs serving the Greater Boston
community, stepped forward to lead the effort
to revitalize the Center. With renovations now
completed and financial backing from groups
such as the United Way and the Boston Foundation
in place, Wheelock will take charge of the
Mattahunt’s programming for the next four
years, while the City of Boston retains ownership
of the building.
Renovations completed during the summer
included reopening of the Center’s formerly
unused pool, creation of a brand-new computer
access area, extensive repainting and refurbishment
of the building and grounds, and the addi-
Wildcat Volunteers Prep for Opening
Great things happen when great people get together, and that
was certainly the case in September when Wheelock staff and
student-athletes joined City Year volunteers and the Boston
Celtics CommUNITY Crew to help prepare the Mattahunt School and
Community Center for the grand reopening. They spent the day painting
colorful murals and inspirational words from historical figures on walls,
building an outdoor classroom and benches as well as a flower bed for the
playground area, organizing the school’s library around six new computers
and workstations that had been added, and naturally—with the Celtics
there—sprucing up a basketball court. One question: Where were our
favorite mascots, Willy and Wilma?
tion of a brand-new mural to the community
room. Many volunteers, including members of
the Boston Celtics and City Year organizations,
assisted in completing the projects.
Programming at the center—provided by
Wheelock and several partner organizations—
includes free reading and math tutoring, nutrition
education, an ongoing youth advocacy
seminar and outdoor program, youth sports,
swimming and yoga lessons, English classes for
non-native speakers, and young professional
seminars and workshops.
Smiles all around for the reopened Center
Cutting the Ribbon
(L to R): Marta Rosa, special assistant to the president
for government and external affairs; Kory Eng, assistant
vice president of Community Impact (United Way of
Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley); Adrian
Haugabrook, vice president for enrollment management
and student success; Barbara Elliott Fargo
’52; Franklin Shearer, program associate (The Boston
Foundation); Gareth Kincaid, co-chair of the Wheelock-
Mattahunt Task Force; Elizabeth “Nicky” Wheeler
L’Hommedieu ’54; Lynne Wyluda Beasley ’66;
Elizabeth “Chippy” Bassett Wolf ’54; Brandi Brooks,
student (John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and
Science); Robert Consalvo, Boston city councilor; Jose Ruiz,
community service officer; and Rashad Cope, director
of Mattahunt Community Center
Mattahunt makes a splash!
Wheelock Magazine 13