September 2022 Newsletter
Greetings!
It’s back to school time, which means we have welcomed students and volunteers back to The Possible Zone for the fall session! We’re excited to be working with our school partners and local nonprofit and community organizations to grow our student community and build on the excitement and engagement of our action-packed summer term.
We are also thrilled to have had the formal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for our Innovation Center, at which local political, education, business and community leaders came together with TPZ staff and partners to mark the formal launch of our new site at 31 Heath Street in Jamaica Plain.
As always, we thank you for your support in making our program—and young people’s dreams—a reality.
Thank you!
The TPZ Team
Ribbon Cutting
Last week, TPZ’s Board of Directors, staff, alumni, supporters, and the local community joined in celebrating our 36,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Jackson Square!
As TPZ co-founder and Board Chair Mark Levin said, “Converting this building in Jackson Square into an Innovation Center—a space that inspires creativity, ideas, and skill building—was intentional. We wanted to center our work where youth live, near partner schools, in a vibrant community rich with pride, dreams, and hope. Not a school but a place where students can find their zone, their passion, and just do it, fail and succeed, with no limitations.”
State Representative and Senator-Elect Liz Miranda shared her support and her hopes for what TPZ and our Innovation Center can bring to the community. “There are kids right across the street who are brilliant and just need a place where someone tells them that they matter, that they’re loved, and that whatever they dream for their lives, no matter how grandiose, that it’s possible,” Miranda said enthusiastically. “This will become that place.”
Watch the full live stream on our Facebook to learn more.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley Visits TPZ
We were proud to host Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for a tour of the Innovation Center. She was joined by her staff Eric White, District Director, and Art Gordon, Senior Advisor, and Phil Johnston, former Secretary of Health and Human Services and a consultant to TPZ.
Congresswoman Pressley reflected, “You can’t thrive without inspiration,” as she acknowledged the creative and innovative space designed for the city’s youth, the supportive programming offered, and the alignment of TPZ’s priorities with her own. TPZ staff members Yasenia Dudley, Gus Halwani, and Juan-Carlos Ferrufino led the tour for our special guests, during which they focused on students’ experiences and providing insights into TPZ’s history and future.
Designing the Future with Web3 Hackathon
TPZ’s Chief Learning Officer, Meg Riordan recently returned from Chisinau, Moldova, where she led the country’s first Web3 Hackathon!
In collaboration with USAID, The Zuckerberg Institute, and several local organizations, Meg designed and led a 5-day learning experience to engage Moldovans and Ukrainians in learning about Web 1, 2, 3, and blockchain technology, and tap into their creativity and innovation.
The US Ambassador to Moldova launched the event, which was designed to activate Moldovan solutions using Web3. The first place winners of the Hackathon now join The Zuckerberg Institute’s Web3 Business Accelerator for 6 months!
The event also included panels featuring key Web3 thought leaders, workshops, and networking events for a mix of attendees including educators, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and students.
Volunteer with Us
We are looking for volunteers to support students during a variety of exciting opportunities this fall.
As a volunteer with The Possible Zone, you will support students on their career and entrepreneurship journey by providing thoughtful feedback and sharing your own experiences. With an entrepreneurial spirit and the skills learned at TPZ, a young person can do anything!
Feel welcome to sign up or share our volunteer opportunities with a friend! You can sign up on our website at https://possiblezone.org/volunteer/ or email us at volunteers@possiblezone.org with any questions. Thank you!
TPZ In Edutopia
TPZ staff members Emma Korolik and Tamar Gaffin-Cahn, along with TPZ alum, Gabriel Thorpe, recently published an article in Edutopia! The article explores how students used documentation panels during our April Research boot camp and what they learned by capturing and reflecting on their experiences.
TPZ In the Community
TPZ recently partnered with The Center for Women & Enterprise, The Chica Project, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts to host a Girls Entrepreneurship Summit.
Forty-two girls participated in this immersive and fun, full-day learning experience, which highlighted and encouraged entrepreneurship and business ownership for young women.
Join Us for Winter 2023
Sign up today to express interest in joining TPZ for the winter term!
Students receive a $22 stipend for every class they attend, get access to state-of-the-art technology in our professional makerspace, and may have the opportunity to earn high school and early college credit! And, there’s free food and healthy snacks.
Sign up your student for our program today, or share this information with a young person in your life who is ready for new opportunities.