Halloween in the City

Bringing Trick-or-Treat Back Home

Long-time volunteer Rodney Beldo grew up in Boston’s inner city, and it’s where he’s raised his family. One thing that always bothered him: kids in his neighborhood don’t go out trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood. It’s just too dangerous. So their families bring them to safer areas where the ghosts and witches, the super heroes and fairy princesses, can ring doorbells and fill their bags with candy.

A new tradition is born

In 2018, Rodney decided to do something about the absence of trick-or-treating in his neighborhood. He worked with other CITC volunteers to set up a block party for kids in the Dorchester/Roxbury section of Boston. Now those little super heroes and fairy princesses are scurrying around in their own neighborhood, collecting M&M’s and Milky Ways. They’re out at night having a fun time with their friends, and it’s safe.

Now, not a week goes by without one of Rodney’s neighbors coming up to thank him for bringing trick-or-treat to their streets, and without some of the neighborhood kiddos asking Rodney for assurances that it will happen again this October. Rodney tells them there most definitely will be another Halloween in the City. ā€œI never thought I’d see a kid in my neighborhood out trick or treating in their costumes,ā€ Rodney says. ā€œI wouldn’t miss it for anything.ā€

Growing up in Roxbury, I was a gang member. Now I’m a member of the greatest gang on earth, helping make dreams come true for kids in my community.

Rodney B - Volunteer: party operations, founder of Halloween in the City

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