TEDJAC Graduation: October 5th, 2007, 4:30 p.m.

Lena Park's Training, Education and Job Advancement Center (TEDJAC) held a graduation ceremony for its Construction & Property Management Course on October 5th at 4:30 p.m.

TEDJAC enables the students enrolled to develop the training and skills necessary for higher paying jobs, thus allowing the graduates to build more satisfying lives. In addition, an individual development plan is created for each training participant to guide them in the successful completion of the course as well as for support in other areas of their lives such as childcare, literacy, life coaching, and long-term follow-up.

The TEDJAC program also gives students the unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects within their community, including the Olmsted Green project-which will bring more than 400 construction jobs to the area. Olmsted Green will be a mixed-use development that will bring much-needed affordable housing, condominiums and assisted living facilities to the community. In addition, the project will ensure participation by women and minority-owned businesses throughout the construction phase and beyond.

"The program administrators proved their dedication to my success and well-being by making themselves available to me at every step of the program," said recent graduate and current TEDJAC volunteer, Thiers St. Louis. "After completing the course, I continued to receive assistance from TEDJAC in my job search and am proud to say that today, I am able to afford my own home."

Transitions at Lena Park

Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

This sentiment certainly holds true for the Board of Directors of Lena Park Community Development Corporation. The dedicated individuals who serve on our board give their time to help mold Lena Park and serve the underserved communities of Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan.

David Wright is the Chair of the Lena Park Board. Wright previously served as chair from 1996 to 1999 and his leadership helped to secure the financial security of the organization.

Wright, who received his bachelor's degree from Harvard and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, is currently serving as the director for the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, an organization he has been with since November 2004. The Black Ministerial Alliance of Great Boston is an umbrella organization serving over 100 churches and faith-based organizations located in Greater Boston. He has also worked as an adjunct professor for Suffolk University since 2003.

Wright has served on the board of nearly fifteen organizations and has provided board development assistance to countless others, specializing in start-up organizations or organizations in transition that are facing severe challenges.

Update on Olmsted Green Construction:

The frames for 19 townhouses at Olmsted Green have gone up and foundations for the rental housing are nearly ready to be poured. Phase I of the construction for this amazing project is officially underway. In addition, necessary infrastructure, such as drainage systems, is quickly being completed. The vision for Olmsted Green to foster positive community development and growth is finally on its path to becoming a reality for the communities surrounding Lena Park. The mixed-income urban residential community will eventually include townhouses and condominiums, affordable rentals and senior housing, a health and fitness center, and a nursing and mental health facility, all with environmentally sustainable features.