User:Degetsering/sandbox

Mattapan is one of the diverse 23 neighborhoods in Boston. Over the year these neighborhoods has evolved and change in terms of demographically, geographically and socially. Mattapan was once settled predominantly by Irish and Jewish,but in late 1960s and early 1970s its demographic started to change. The white ethnic communities started moving out of Mattapan, while significant number of African-Americans started moving in.In 1980s, a substantially number of Haitian began settling in Mattapan,which eventually make Mattapan as one of the most concentrated population of Haitian in the State. It is also home to large number of Jamaicans, Caribbeans and Africans, which is why it's 80% of the population are of African descendant.

Healthcare

Mattapan Community Health Center, located in heart of the Blue Hill Avenue, has been providing community and public health services to the Mattapan and Hyde Park communities for more than 40 years and it is also the only healthy center in the city. It is the primary source of care and resource for its residents and community members. Its mission is to, "Improve the quality of life for residents of Mattapan and surrounding communities by providing comprehensive, accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate community health care services, including primary and preventive health care services". It is also the founding partner of the Boston HealthNet and it is affiliated with the prestiges Boston Medical Center and Brigham & Women's Hospital.

• Mattapan Adult Day Health Program Founded in 1980, it has been providing day health services to senior living in Boston areas.

"The Boston Public Health Commission, Mattapan Community Health Center,Boston Police Department and Boston Center for Youth and Families, collaboratively produce, "Our Mattapan. Many pasts. One Future" to prevent violence and promote healthy and wellness in the neighborhood. Mattapan Community Health Center was established in 1972 as the Avenue Neighborhood Health Center.It board members represent communities served by the Health center. The MCHC each year shares health data with The Boston public Health Commission (BPHC) through its yearly meeting. Compare to Boston, Mattapan has higher rate of obesity with 37% compare to Boston overall at 22%.

Education

Primary Education

Boston Public School(BPS) operates officially in Mattapan. There are three Elementary Schools namely, James J Chittick, Mattahunt and Charles H.Taylor. There is one Early Childhood Center, Ellison Parks. One middle school, Mildred Ave. There are also private school like Middle Schools, Berea SDA Academy,Solomon Lewenberg Middle and St.Angela School. Brooke Mattapan is a Charter School in Mattapan serving K-8.It was founded in 2011.

Higher Education

There are no High School in Mattapan area itself, though there were talks of building one. The adjacent town of Hyde Park, Dorchester and Roxbury High Schools serve their demand for higher education. There is one Brooke Charter School in Mattapan. According to American Community Survey 2007-2011 data, there are 5,672 families residing in Mattapan. Of these families, 3,058 have related children under 18 years old.

It has a population of 16,675 of age 25 and over. With 22.7 % having less than a high school degree and 35.4 % with High school graduate. But only a 14.8% of the population has some kind of Bachelors Degree or Higher considerably low comparing with Boston's 44.6%. But 27.1% of the population have an Associates degree or some college. It has 23,494 of population age 3 years and over enroll in some kind of schools. Out of which 72.4% population is not enrolled in any kind of school.

Adult Education

Boston Adult Technical Academy is an alternative high school for young people between the ages of 19-22 and also for people who recently entered US.Their mission is to, "provide educational experiences that enables young adults to acquire the skills needed for success in post-secondary experiences in the 21st century".http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/school/boston-adult-technical-academy Mattapan has a population of 3983 (12.2%) with ho High School.

Community Resources

Under the leadership of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD),Mattapan Family Service Center serves the community in various ways. Its soul purpose is to help its community members navigate through life struggles and offer them help. They offer helps with regards to job opportunities, tax, summer works, computer labs and workshops, education classes for seniors etc.It's mission statement, " is to empower disadvantaged people by providing them with tools to overcome poverty, live with dignity, and achieve their full potential". Also online website like MyMattapan.org and Mattapan United are one stop to know anything about its community. Mattapan United is,"a comprehensive community development initiative that aims at improving the quality of life for people who live and work in Mattapan". It offers resources and serves as platform for people and its organizations , groups, and civic leader to engage and discuss. These are led by their residents which reflects their core community values and adhere to its vision to serve the community.Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition founded in 2006 is an organization primarily formed to provide its residents of healthy living and eating and space options. It initiates to serve its diverse community on its path to better health. Haitian - American Health Public Health Initiatives, a NGO formed in 1989 with deep interest to serve its Haitian population. But today it has also extended it services to Haitians living in greater Boston area through its comprehensive programs and initiatives.

Green Space

• Harambee Park was built in 1961, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous American Landscape architect. Originally known as Franklin Field, named after Benjamin Franklin.
• The Franklin Park Zoo founded in 1912, "Is considered the crown jewel of the Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace Park System.
• The Boston Nature Center and Wild Life Sanctuary is a hidden gem and pride of Mattapan spreading across 67 acres. It is home to over 150 species of bird, 40 species of butterflies and more than 350 species of plants. It has Clark-Cooper Community Garden providing options of fresh food and green spaces to over 250 local families. It also has two miles of trails through meadows and woodlands.
• The Forest Hills Cemetery is a prime example of rural garden cemetery. It has both historic and culture significance of Boston.Founded in 1848 to, "provide a magnificent park-like setting to bury and remember family and friends. It has been added to the National register of Historic Places in 2004.

Transportation

Majority of Mattapan residents rely heavily on public transportation provided by Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority (MBTA)for access to healthcare, government services, employments,education, shopping and entertainments.The Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley primarily serves as the major link.Residents have also access to several bus routes.The #31bus, The #28bus, and The #29bus runs through the Mattapan.