SOCIAL IMPACT CENTER
ABOUT US
Our Mission
Love, compassion and community are principles that guide the Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center.
The Social Impact Center serves as the 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church. The Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center seeks to develop and implement educational, social, cultural, mental, and physical well being programs designed to promote and serve the surrounding communities of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and beyond.
The Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center programs are spiritually inspired, community-based, artistically infused, and clinically supported to foster recovery and healing from all sources of post-traumatic stress, including exposure to violence, poverty, and racism.
“Trauma is at the core of public health concerns. Key impacts include emotional dysregulation, loss of safety and trust, a pervasive sense of disconnection from self and others, and a comprehensive sense of disorientation that leads to loss of meaning.”
(Trauma and Recovery, Herman, 1992)
OUR HISTORY
Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center (RPCSIC) was founded in 2000 by Rev. Hurmon Hamilton as the nonprofit mission arm of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church. The primary focus of RPCSIC was to provide computer literacy and tutoring programs for Elementary and Middle School students, called Learning Out Loud. Over the years, RPCSIC has expanded its programming to strengthen the Roxbury community.
Beginning in 2014, RPCSIC established the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic
Healing (CJP). Named after a promising young church member who was murdered in 2010 CJP provides weekly trauma support using a community-based approach to foster recovery and healing from all sources of post-traumatic stress, including exposure to violence, poverty, and racism.
CJP tailors a range of supportive programs to specific needs, such as:
- support groups for mothers who have lost children
- support groups for men processing trauma and living in recovery
- 12-week program aimed at exploring what it means to be a young black man in
America - Groups for teen youth, including peer-led, focused on offering safe space and open discussions
- Arts Activation and Healing
- Trauma Education
- Individual support offered by trusted peers trained in trauma healing-centered care
- Can We Talk… Network, an anonymous drop-in program where people are invited to safely share their stories of pain, grief, loss and healing from trauma.
Our Three P’s:
Through responsive Cory Johnson Programs, Community and Clinical Supports Department, and the Can We Talk… Network, the Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center aims to enliven three guiding principles:
OUR IMPACT
Ultimately, the Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center is dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in their ongoing healing journey.
Since 2014, we have been here for the long haul as a kind of ongoing second responder.
We are
growing our
impact
In 2024 we created a new service department – Department of Community and Clinical Supports – focused on providing 1:1 support for our most vulnerable participants and community members.
We are looking to add more Community Trauma Healing Specialists. Our current specialist provides specialized support serving as an abiding and steadfast provider who is able to act as a medical advocate, wellness support, and companion to individuals who have elevated levels of need.
Following a successful conference in collaboration with Berklee College of Music we are expanding arts and healing programs.
Plans for a second Harmony and Healing Conference in 2026.
We have shared the Can We Talk… model in multiple communities.
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