Celebrating its 50th Anniversary serving the children and families of Roxbury and North Dorchester, the Roxbury Multi-Service Center, Inc. (RMSC), one of the first social service agencies in Boston, will host a Gala Celebration on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum from 6-10 pm.To mark this historic and special occasion, RMSC will honor Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD), one of the nation’s leading and region’s largest human services agencies, which is responsible for writing the Ford Foundation demonstration grant, that funded the creation of RMSC. Hubie Jones, former Executive Director, Roxbury Multi-Service Center, Inc.; Dean Emeritus, Boston University Graduate School of Social Work; Founder, Higher Ground; Founder, Boston Children’s Chorus; and Entrepreneur in Residence, City Year, will also be honored. “We are very excited to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! With this also being the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill, the leadership provided by this year’s honorees enabled RMSC to provide critical comprehensive behavioral health services and educational programs to many of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods during a very turbulent time in American history,” said Carole Montgomery, Executive Director of RMSC. “It speaks volumes to the level of commitment from our staff, the support from the community, and the dedication of our volunteers that we have been serving the community for so long.” "Our longstanding relationship with RMSC has been very successful for the community," said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. "Together we have helped thousands of Boston's most vulnerable residents by providing needed services, counseling and advocacy."“Throughout its 50-year history, RMSC has served as a leading hub of social activism and has addressed issues of national concern. Many staff went on to become leaders in urban revitalization in Boston and beyond,” continued Montgomery. “As we move into our sixth decade, we want to enhance and extend services within our core areas, expand strategic alliances to increase service delivery – and even venture into new areas – while remaining affordable and accessible.”