Patriots captain teams up with teen center to host Mattapan block party

Blue skies- and a New England Patriot captain- graced the third annual block party outside Mattapan’s Josh Kraft Teen Center on Saturday. A large crowd gathered on Hazelton Street, eating food, playing games and even receiving free haircuts.

The event was designed to celebrate the communities’ youth but brought everyone, regardless of age, together to eat and enjoy a day with their neighbors.

Despite being born in Virginia and playing college football at Arkansas, Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston to help set up the event.

“Mattapan is a wonderful area,” said Wise. “And when I ended up coming into the Boys and Girl Club, helping the kids in multiple different areas, from technology to music to arts to life, I wanted to help build a platform to help these kids build their own platform for them to shine their light.”

Wise’s willingness to raise up a community that did not raise him was not lost on those gathered.

“He’s not from here but he’s a giving guy so he’ll give back to anywhere,” said one teen, Amadi.

“You don’t have to be part of the community to be active in it. You just have to be active and give back where you can,” said Shannon, a barber.

Boston Police and Fire were in attendance and a vaccination station courtesy of the Boston Medical Center was also established.

According to District Attorney Kevin Hayden, the event symbolized a strong foundation for the community.

“This is what community building, community impact, is all about,” said Hayden. “We need to continue to do these things.”

According to barber Ian Lawrence, opportunities like Saturday’s event are the most he can ask for.

“It makes me feel more than good. It makes me feel I’m serving my purpose in life.”

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2022 Cox Media Group