Click here to download a brochure about the partnership. (pdf)

The Opportunity

The Mattahunt Community Center had long been a valued asset for Mattapan residents. In 2010-2011, Wheelock College was introduced to the urgent needs in the Mattapan community by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the City of Boston. The Mattahunt Community Center, located in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood, was closed in 2010 because of severe city budget constraints. Mayor Menino sought solutions to addressing community needs by forging public-private partnerships that would ensure continued attention and more importantly continued services and programs in the greater Mattapan Community.

A Strong Start

With support and guidance from the Mattahunt Wheelock Community Advisory Board, the Center officially reopened in 2011 with refurbished facilities, including a pool, a basketball court, athletic fields, and a new computer center with wireless access. The upgrades were completed largely by volunteers, including Wheelock students, staff, and faculty, as well as members of the Boston Celtics, state and city officials, and local residents. Mayor Menino, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the Boston Public Schools, Mattapan residents and Wheelock College have leveraged community relationships and partnerships that have led to a resurgence of energy, enthusiasm and volunteerism.

The Mattahunt Community Center is now a thriving, sustainable community hub that offers a growing roster of academic and recreational services and activities driven by community needs and priorities. This partnership is the right recipe for sustainable collaboration and civic engagement, resulting in the creation of a different concept for Community Center and the planning process designed to serve as a model for public-private partnerships in other urban communities. Highlights from year one:

• The Center averages nearly 200 families per day having access to and benefiting from a robust portfolio of programs and activities.
• 107 children aged 5-12 enrolled in the Boys & Girls Club After School Program.
• 219 adults and children participated in sports based activities at the Center.
• Over 150 Volunteers attending the City Year & Boston Celtics CommUNITY Crew with special guests: Governor Deval Patrick, Danny Ainge (Boston Celtics), Senator Scott Brown and Police Commissioner Ed Davis.

New Success Model for Public-Private Partnerships is Honored: Wheelock College Receives the Blackburn Award

The American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) presented Wheelock College with the 2012 John Blackburn Award for the Revitalization of the Mattahunt Community Center. This national award recognizes outstanding examples of college and university leadership that demonstrate creative solutions to common problems, and/or illustrate successful efforts to meet demands.

(from left) Adrian K. Haugabrook, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, Chief Diversity Officer; Marta T. Rosa, Special Assistant to the President, Office of Government and External Affairs; Jackie Jenkins-Scott, President, Wheelock College; Shellice Baker, Youth Coordinator, Mattahunt Wheelock Community Center; Rashad O. Cope, Director, Mattahunt Wheelock Community Center

Mattahunt Wheelock Partnership Community Advisory Board

The Center is now overseen by the Mattahunt Wheelock Partnership Community Advisory Board that includes leaders from the Mattahunt community as well as Wheelock faculty and staff.  The Advisory Board is co-chaired by David Jackson, President of Friends of the Mattapan Library and Mattapan resident for 33 years; Dr. Azzie Young, President and CEO of the Mattapan Community Health Center; and Marta T. Rosa, Wheelock College's Special Assistant to the President in the Office of Government and External Affairs.

Meet the full Community Advisory Board

Mattahunt Center Meetings
Community Advisory Board's first meeting is scheduled: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 5:30PM

Location: 100 Hebron Street, Mattapan, MA

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Available Programs and Hours of Operation

Programming at the Center—provided by Wheelock staff as well as several partner organizations—now includes swimming lessons, an outdoors program, an ongoing youth advocacy seminar, yoga classes, nutrition education, free reading and math tutoring, youth sports, English classes for non-native speakers, and young professional seminars and workshops.

The Mattahunt Center is open to the public Monday - Friday, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. and offers several annual membership levels, including a family rate for $25 and a $5 youth aquatics card.

Click to view:
Spring 2013 Schedule
Current Partnership List

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The community engagement process for the project was made possible with a generous donation from the United Way.