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Blackstone Community Center

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History

The Blackstone Community Center

The Blackstone Community Center was incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit community service organization and began program operation in May 1976. The Blackstone Community Center received tax-exempt status in 1979. The local board of directors, the Blackstone Community Center Council, is a member of the Citywide Board of Boston Community Centers, Inc. The Blackstone Community Center is responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating programs and services to meet the expressed needs of the South End community. The Council sets the policy for the center and is directly accountable to the community under the auspices of the City of Boston. The Blackstone Community Center Council represents the diversity of the neighborhood, as it is comprised primarily of South End and Lower Roxbury residents.

The South End and Lower Roxbury, as served by the Blackstone Community Center, cover the geographic area from East Berkeley Street to Northampton Street and from Albany Street to Huntington Avenue. The South End and Lower Roxbury are one of Boston's most ethnically diverse communities. The Blackstone Community Center, located between Villa Victoria and Cathedral Housing Development at 50 West Brookline Street, is in Boston's Enhanced Enterprise Community (EEC) and has a unique opportunity to bring together residents of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and income levels to participate in educational instruction and social services in order to reduce poverty. The Blackstone Community Center's multi-purpose facility is handicap accessible and houses an indoor Olympic pool, classroom, gym and auditorium. The Blackstone Community Center facility and programs are available to all Boston families. In addition, community groups, agencies and organizations with varying social and cultural concerns are entitled to use the Center for community activities. As one of the largest human service providers in the South End and Lower Roxbury, the Blackstone Community Center provides such programs as: GED, Women’s Self-Defense, Toddler Play Group, Martial Arts/Karate, New Adventures After-School, GOGIRLGO Program, Swim Team, One Hood Basketball League, City Stage Theater Program, Youth Connection Program, and more. In addition, the Center has facilities available for use/rental, for neighborhood residents as well as organizations. Please visit other areas on the website, call the Center, or stop by for more information.