Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation celebrates 10 Years

By Kim Foley MacKinnon, Town Correspondent

The Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation, a Roslindale/Hyde Park nonprofit organization, is marking its anniversary December 8 with a special event.

Among other things, the nonprofit aims to develop and preserve affordable housing for low and moderate-income people; prevent displacement of neighborhood residents, and strengthen the commercial base of the neighborhoods.

In a manner typical of an organization striving to help others, rather than celebrating its own achievements, it is honoring others with similar missions and mindsets.

The special guest and honoree is Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray. The organization’s executive director, Mike Feloney, said that the SWBCDC is recognizing the lieutenant governor for his “unflagging commitment to the local economic development and housing of vulnerable populations.”

According to a press release issued by the organization, examples of Murray’s commitment include his prior work as the Mayor of Worcester to revitalize the city’s downtown area and his efforts to transform housing programs “to achieve the Commonwealth's goal of ending homelessness.”

Feloney said, “With elected leaders like Tim Murray and the strength of partnerships like the ones we’re honoring Thursday night, organizations like SWBCDC can continue to do great work to improve the communities in which they’re based.”

Four local institutions and organizations---University of Massachusetts Boston, the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Farmers’ Market Committee of Roslindale Village Main Street and the Friends of Roslindale Branch Library---will also be honored for their work in helping to build stable and vibrant communities in Hyde Park and Roslindale.

The anniversary event will be held December 8 at Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street, Roslindale, and is open to the public. Tickets and more information can be found at the SWBCDC website.