THEY MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

The Malden Observer would like to recognize four groups or
organizations that had a positive affect on the city in 2004 and will
continue to into the future.

Drug Task Force

The Malden Drug Task Force has one main priority - protecting Malden's
youth from the dangers of drugs, namely OxyContin.

The powerful narcotic prescribed by doctors to relieve severe, chronic
pain, OxyContin is in the same class of drugs as heroin and morphine
and can be highly addictive.

Surprisingly maybe to some it's become the number one selling street
drug in Malden.

Earlier this year the drug made headlines locally when a student at
Malden Catholic died from an apparent OxyContin overdose.

In response, the drug task force is becoming "a force" in the
city.

In the past few months alone the group has designed the marketing
campaign "Malden ROCKS" which stands for "Rid Our Community of Killer
Substances" that includes decals, pamphlets and street signs and
sponsored a number of eye-opening presentations for students and parents.

And although it's only been discussed briefly it's likely the City
Council will follow the task force's recommendation and make it
mandatory that an information pamphlet be handed out with every
prescription filled in the city.

"[OxyContin] wants to kill you. It wants to destroy you," Malden
native J.J. Dow, 24, said recently to youth hockey players and their
parents as he discussed his struggles with the drug. "Not only did I
lose myself [on the drug], I lost my family. If someone offers you
drugs don't walk, run the other way."

Founded and led by Ward 7 Councilor Chris Simonelli the task force
includes Police Chief Ken Coye, Human Services Director Christine
DiPietro, Healthy Malden, Inc. Director David Kilpatrick, and Jennifer
Monroe a representative of Hallmark Health.

Together these five individuals are meeting the OxyContin problem head
on by educating as many kids and adults as possible. They're also
keeping the message constant and clear - Malden is stronger than OxyContin.

Project 540

Strong communicators, problem-solvers, role-models. These are just a
few ways to describe the 60 or so students who comprise Project 540 at
Malden High School.

Not only are these students giving the concerns of the peers a voice,
they're helping to bridge the all too often communication gap between
students, teachers and administrators.

For example earlier this year after many months of hard work Project
540 helped launch a trial off-campus lunch program for seniors. The
work was successful when School Committee members last month approved
continuing the program till the end of the school year.

Project 540 didn't sell everyone on the program, namely two School
Committee members, but they said they see that as a positive challenge
for the future.

Similarly, last year the group asked the district to pay for
improvements in two bathrooms. Not only were the bathrooms renovated,
Project 540 members now help monitor them on a daily basis to keep
them that way.

Malden High School Principal Dana Brown, who was originally against
the off-campus lunch program and is now a major proponent, commended
Project 540's efforts.

"Project 540 is deserving. Project 540 empowers students to think,
plan, strategize, work as a team - all the skills we want young people
to acquire in high school and beyond," he said. "It's more than just
getting something accomplished. It's about the process and it's about
the follow through after the headlines and pictures have gone away."

Partnership for Community Schools

Many Malden students benefit from Partnership for Community Schools on
a daily basis.

Whether it be through an after school, summer or school vacation
program, a sports program or an adult education class their parent is
taking the partnership is clearly making a difference in students'
lives.

For example approximately 250 students are now participating in the
partnership's "Channel Surfing" program which offers fun, creative
activities and projects based on television shows.

Similarly about 50 students at Salemwood just completed an
apprenticeship program through Citizen Schools where student groups
created and filmed variety show episodes, developed their creative
writing skills and childcare skills, and learned about cake decorating
and weight training.

The district's morning "Jump Start" program which teaches K-8 students
about nutrition and fitness also continues to run smoothly, attracting
new participants each week.

The original intent of the partnership was to offer after school
programs to supplement classroom lessons, provide homework support and
give middle-school students structured activities during late
afternoon hours while parents were at work.

Now overseen by Karen Steele, who helped create the program in 2000,
the partnership serves about 700 students throughout the district.

Partnership for Community Schools does a little bit of everything and
those little bits go a long way to improving the district's education
affects on students, according to city and school officials.

Ward 1 Councilor and former School Committee member Gary Christenson
the partnership's programs are a great asset to the city and school
district.

"I know many parents have told me how fortunate they feel to have
these programs for their kids to participate once the school day has
ended," he said. "I've heard good things about each and every one of
the programs."

He added the after school programs especially can help give a student
who is struggling in class the extra push they need to excel in school.

St. Rocco's Association/St. Peter's Church parishioners

Years from now former parishioners of St. Peter's Church in Edgeworth
will remember the events which led up to the church closing in the
fall of 2004.

Despite a high attendance rate, strong religious programs for children
and financial stability St. Peter's could not escape the inevitable.

The Archdiocese of Boston pegged the church along with 82 other
parishes to close by the end of the year. St. Peter's was the only
Malden church on the list.

Parishioners many of whom had been baptized and married in the church
were clearly saddened, hurt and angry.

Why would the Archdiocese choose to close a church that was such an
integral part of the community, a church that had never asked for
financial assistance, a church that meant so much to so many, they
asked?

But following the announcement, the faith of parishioners and the
members of the St. Rocco Association never wavered.

As planned, the church family celebrated the 75th anniversary of its
annual Feast of St. Rocco in August, drawing record numbers thanks in
part to a visit and performance by famed singer Al Martino, who
appeared in the first "Godfather" movie.

Another bittersweet highlight for parishioners was the procession of
St. Rocco, the carrying of the statue through the streets for the last
time.

St. Peter's held its last Mass on September 18.

And now the church is up for sale, the Archdiocese likely waiting for
the highest bidder while parishioners cross their fingers that the new
owner will allow them to retain a small piece of ownership over the
building which they've held sacred for so long. Only time will tell.

"The wounds are still there from the church closing," parishioner
Domenic Fermano said recently. "I know some parishioners are upset
that we didn't fight more but I think it was inevitable. It hurt,
don't get me wrong, but we closed with dignity with our heads held
high."