The mission of BCYF is to enhance the quality of life of Boston's residents by partnering with various organizations to offer a wide range of comprehensive programs and activities according to neighborhood needs and interests. BCYF offers a wide range of affordable programs including preschool, school-aged and adult education, family literacy, youth employment, violence prevention and intervention, senior activities, and recreation and enrichment. BCYF's 35 facilities are located throughout Boston.
In the early 1970s, as new school buildings sprang up all over Boston, residents felt strongly that these buildings should be used as community resources and offer community programming when school was not in session. This idea led to the establishment of Boston Community Schools in 1972. Overtime, we added additional services, programs, and facilities; in 2001, our name was changed to Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and today we are the City of Boston's largest youth and human services agency.
The tremendous impact of BCYF is known throughout the City of Boston. As the City of Boston's largest human services agency, we offer a plethora of affordable programs for all ages located at various BCYF community centers and facilities throughout the City of Boston. BCYF is committed to providing high quality, outcome driven programs that are responsive to neighborhood needs and interests. We design our programming in alignment with our ACES Framework (Arts, Community & Civic Engagement, Education and Sports, Recreation & Fitness) to ensure consistency and quality across our network.
Our site, the BCYF Quincy Community Center, offers a variety of social,
educational and recreational programs and activities, including afterschool youth
enrichment programs, youth leadership programs, drop-in youth center, basketball and volleyball clinics and leagues, swimming lessons and youth swim team, open and lap swims, pickleball, and table tennis.