Roxbury church celebrates groundbreaking ‘rebirth’

Serghino René

Reverend Gregory Groover says it is nearly impossible for one church alone to solve every problem plaguing its community.

But that doesn’t mean, Reverend Groover explained, that church members should stop trying.

Congregations should work together, determine a common mission and devise a plan. For members of Roxbury’s Charles Street A.M.E. Church, their mission was twofold: protect the educational lives of children and the social welfare of the elderly.

Six years ago, their mission began as a vision. The vision became a plan and last weekend, it became a reality.

Members of the community and local officials gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Roxbury Renaissance Center (RRC), scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2007. It is said to be the new “African meeting house of the 21st century.”

“We are the heirs to a long-term vision that is in the process of unfolding,” said presiding bishop Richard Norris.

“This is about one step closer to a vision brought by God six years ago,” said Reverend Groover.

The RRC is envisioned as the beginning of a new “renaissance” for Roxbury and a means of generating proactive change in the community. The plan is to have the 20,000 square foot facility be the center of community activity and a catalyst for Roxbury’s community development.

City Councilor Sam Yoon shared words of support and encouragement to the Charles Street congregation that day.

“We are fulfilling the potential that fulfills our community,” said Yoon. “Children from the community are being born and because of your vision, these kids can be leaders and grow with potential.”

In all, Charles Street owns 5 separate properties, all on the same block from Elm Hill Ave. to Brunswick Ave. Two of the properties are storefronts.

In keeping with the theme of supporting the black community, Charles Street chose OneUnited Bank, the first black Internet bank in America, as their lender to take part in financing their community effort.

“OneUnited Bank stepped up to the plate,” said Reverend Groover. “They understood and appreciated our mission and caught on to our vision quickly.”

However, this is not the first time Charles Street has done business with OneUnited. Twenty years ago, OneUnited, then called Boston Bank of Commerce, was their lender when they were renovating the basement.

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of OneUnited Bank, and plans are underway to celebrate the event at the RRC.

Terri Williams, executive vice president of OneUnited, came to represent the bank and presented a $10,000 check at the ceremony as a personal contribution.

“Not only is this a good investment, but a dream that has become a reality,” said Williams. “Our history begins here.”

Within the last few years, Charles Street raised close to $1 million to purchase the facility and pay for pre-construction. Wellesley Congregational Church, Charles Street’s sister church, has raised over $300,000 within the last six years for the RRC. Right now, Charles Street is in the process of raising $2 million, which they hope to achieve within the next two years.

Charles Street made a proactive effort in response to Boston Public Schools cutting music education from the curriculum by creating a music academy within the RRC. In October, the Ruth Hamilton/Elta Garrett Music Academy was created to support the growing development of youth, their families and communities, offering an after school program that will offer in depth music instruction and academic support. The program will move to the RCC when construction is complete.

“Back in the day, we were always in the church,” said state representative Fox. “This new facility is a blessing to young people who are survivors of the street.”

In addition, the RRC will have the Roxbury Senior Care Center program, which will offer aid and support to disadvantaged senior citizens and their families, helping them live balanced and healthy lives. The program began 10 years ago, but will soon operate in the RRC.

“The elderly are a hidden population,” said Reverend Groover. “Many of them live alone and or have been homeowners for 30, 40, 50 years. They may be widows or have children that live in the suburbs. We want to try to help them stay independent.”

Other additions to the RRC will include executive offices, a conference room, a recording studio for Boston-area musicians and four multi-purpose activity rooms.

The Marcheta Taylor Student Support Center is a combination of three programs: MAAFA, Our Schools and the Proficiency Achievement Project. These programs are expected to develop after the facility is complete.

MAFFA is another program that is particularly focused on middle school students. The term “maffa” is Swahili for “terrible disaster.” It is often used to describe the experience of African American slaves who traveled through the Middle Passage to the Americas.

Charles Street recognizes that young adolescents are experiencing their own “middle passage” as they transition from childhood to adulthood. This program plans to inspire students within the Boston Public School system and build mentoring programs.

“Our children seem to do okay in elementary school, but it’s in middle school that we start losing them,” said Reverend Groover.

In addition, Charles Street plans to create a partnership with Northeastern University where college students can work directly with middle school students and offer a positive perspective to the future.

Our Schools is a program that will work closely with parents and the community to promote neighborhood empowerment. Rev. Groover said there is a major disconnect between the schools in the neighborhood and stakeholders where schools exist. The goal of the program is to bridge that gap.

“Parents, students, store owners ... we are all in our different worlds,” said Rev Groover. “We want major stakeholders to use their resources to support schools nearby, creating a school centered, friendly neighborhood.”

The Proficiency Achievement Project is part of a larger campaign, known as the Boston Campaign for Proficiency. It will focus on helping low-income elementary and middle school students who are underachieving in school. The goal is to improve their academic motivation and help them gain entrance to the best schools in the area.

“We can now focus on the most vulnerable in our community, our children and elders,” said Dennis Lloyd, executive director of RRC.