For the first time, MAHA awarded two college scholarships at the annual Taste of Dorchester event on April 25. Named after retired MAHA assistant director, Florence Hagins, these small scholarships recognize MAHA graduates who are working to advance their education and give back to the community. Congratulations to the first two awardees, Kimberlee Holliday and ToRena Webb Thomas.

After years of working to support her daughter, Kimberlee Holliday is enrolled at Boston University as a sophomore, completing the degree in Sociology/Psychology she started many years ago. Her focus is in Industrial Organizational Psychology, studying human behavior in the workplace. Kimberlee hopes to link her interest in the social sciences with her desire to remain connected to the corporate world.

Kimberlee is a gradate of MAHA’s First Time Homebuyers class and she purchased her first home with a SoftSecond Mortgage in 2005. She is an active volunteer in her community, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Mattapan Community Centers and on the fundraising and scholarship sub-committees.

It was a week we will never forget - an unbelievable roller coaster of emotions from shock and fear to pride and a sense of true community.

Here in Dorchester, our hearts and prayers are especially with the Richard Family. Bill Richard, as a board member of the St. Mark's Area Main Streets organization, has been a good and loyal friend to MAHA and the entire neighborhood for many years. Please join MAHA in supporting the Richard Family Fund with a donation.

This week, we will be bringing Dorchester residents and others together in a special neighborhood tradition already in its fifth year. MAHA's annual Taste of Dorchester event is a true celebration of our home community and its diverse blend of restaurants. We hope to see you Thursday night.