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For the past 11 years, I have worked with the youth population throughout the city of Boston. I observed a need for programming for at risk youth centered around teaching them leadership skills and incorporating mentorship as a key component. Youth Leading the Way is a youth leadership program that focuses on empowering youth ages 15-18, during the school year and throughout the summer, by providing them with the tools needed to have a successful future. YLW participates in leadership workshops, professional development workshops, social media management, coordinates youth-lead round table discussions and youth police dialogues, and coordinates intergenerational programming with the senior population. During the summer, YLW Youth Leaders will attend the Boston Police Teen Police Academy, coordinate community events, and participate in programming as mentioned above. In addition, Youth Leaders will also attend college tours, participate in career readiness workshops such as resume writing and mock interview, leadership workshops, and effective communication.
The Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC) is a body of student leaders representing their respective high schools, which serves as the voice of students to the Boston School Committee. Participating members offer their perspectives on education reform and inform their respective schools about relevant citywide school issues. BSAC is the primary vehicle for student voice and youth engagement across the Boston Public Schools. In recent years, BSAC has played a key role in advising the School Committee and the Superintendent on district policy, working with the Headmasters on student climate issues, and informing students of their rights and responsibilities under district rules. Over the last 10 years BSAC has worked on issues and informed policy changes such as: Punctuality Policy, Homework Policy, Cell Phone Policy, Teacher Evaluation & Hiring, Student Government, School Safety, BPS Budget and School Quality.
BCYF Perkins- We provide programming for kids as young as 5 to adults. We have been serving the community for over 40 years. We provide EEC licensed programming as well as drop in programming for preteens and teens, adult education classes, GED and ESOL, basketball leagues etc.... physical education programming such as skills and drills, volleyball, table tennis, tae kwon do, peer groups and weekly activities for youth
The Ohrenberger Community Center has been servicing youths, adults, and seniors of West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and neighboring communities for over 35 years. Boston Centers for Youth & Families currently operates 36 community centers and pools, and are open year round. Services offered includes Aquatics, Gymnastics, Enrichment Activities, Arts & Crafts, Athletic Leagues, Open Youth & Adult Gym, Senior Programming, Volunteer Opportunities, Workforce Development, and Computer classes. We serve people of all ages and backgrounds.
The organization provides a variety of community engagement activities, to include engagement with youth.
BCYF Tynan provides Arts-Civic-Educational and Sports programs to all our participants. We have been serving the community for over 50 year's! We have a council made up of community volunteers who help with programs and fundraisers. Our staff are well trained.
Please refer to Boston Center's For Youth and Families website
BCYF Charlestown has been a success link partner for a number a years, offering employment opportunities for teens throughout the city. We serve a wide variety of participants, but particularly youth - instilling life skills for the next generation.
The BPS Pipeline Programs were created in response to the Judge Garity mandate of achieving 25% educators of color in the Boston Public Schools. We have served over 200 students in the programs history, 100% of graduating seniors who applied to college were accepted into 4 year colleges and universities, and our current program fellow (secondary contact) is herself a 2023 graduate and program alum.
BCYF's network of community centers offer a wide range of diverse features and programs that are as unique as the neighborhoods they serve. BCYF Blackstone features gymnasium, teen center, computer lab, auditorium, and a variety of multi-purpose spaces. We offer programming all year round and we are here to serve all residents of the South End/Lower Roxbury communities.
In the early 1970s, as new school buildings sprang up across Boston, residents felt strongly that these buildings should be used as community resources beyond the school day. This community schools movement led to the establishment of Boston Community Schools in 1972. Over time additional programs and services grew, and additional facilities were added. In 2001 the department was transformed into Boston Centers for Youth & Families, and today we are the City of Boston's largest youth and human services agency. BCYF currently operates 34 community centers and pools. We are committed to serving residents of all ages, from preschoolers to "seasoned" adults, with a variety of arts, education, sports & recreation, health, and other programs to meet their needs and interests.
Give teens the experience of working in a professional environment - Provide teens with BPL resources (ex: financial literacy and aid)
Planting Seeds started over ten years ago to provide access and opportunity to families. The vision is to guide and assist families in building healthy foundations. Through community partnerships, commitment, and consistency, Planting Seeds has been a strong support group that works hard to stabilize families and improve their quality of life. The goal is to introduce and offer options that lead to growth and development; we are fully invested in the family's present and future. We serve families in Boston seeking assistance or interested in working with Law Enforcement.
Building off historical events in Boston and an international movement for car-free streets, the City of Boston held three Open Streets events in the summer/fall of 2022. These events were held on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain on July 10, on Blue Hill Avenue on August 6, and on Dorchester Avenue on September 24th. Each event was popular with attendees and attracted large crowds. In previous years, a number of Circle The City open streets events were held from 2012-2014 in the summers and organized by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in coordination with city departments. Routes were Green Street in Jamaica Plain (2012), State St/Surface Rd in Downtown (2012), Huntington Ave in Fenway (2013) and Blue Hill Ave from Grove Hall to Dudley Common (2013, 2014). The National Association of City Transportation Officials have a presentation on Circle the City 2012 Events . Events were organized by a part time staffer brought on seasonally at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Each event was estimated to cost $50,000. Since 2016, the City of Boston has coordinated a number of retail street pedestrian events. Open Newbury Street was first held for one Sunday in 2016 , subsequently for three Sundays (one each month in July, August and September) from 2017-2019. Most cross streets were pedestrianized at intersections as well with major intersections managed by traffic signals and police department staff. In summer 2022, Open Newbury launched on August 21st for six consecutive Sundays. In 2024, the City of Boston will contract with SB Consulting to carry out six large-scale, car-free events in neighborhoods throughout Boston.
BHA was established by the Mayor and City Council in October of 1935 in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 121, secs. 26 I et seq. The federal public housing program dates back to the initial occupancy of the Mary Ellen McCormack (formerly named Old Harbor) development in May of 1938. State legislation in 1948 initiated the state-aided public housing program. The Federal Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) was established by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, which was written to help address the issue of rising housing costs. Both programs have become an integral part of the government's commitment to meeting basic housing needs. BHA is managed and controlled by an Administrator who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor of the City of Boston. On August 7, 2023, Kenzie Bok assumed the role of Administrator, with “the power and authority to act as the Mayor’s agent with respect to all matters affecting the BHA, including without limitation the power to execute any and all documents as needed with such matters.” In total, BHA currently owns and/or oversees approximately 10,000 rental units of public housing in Boston and houses more than 17,000 people under the public housing program. BHA owns 56 housing developments. Of the 56 developments, 32 are designated as housing for seniors and residents with disabilities and 24 are designated for low-income families. In addition to public housing, BHA administers approximately 14,979 rental assistance vouchers, otherwise known as Tenant-Based Section 8 vouchers that allow families to rent in the private market and apply a subsidy to their rent. Vouchers through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher (MRVP) Program assist an additional 867 households. With this assistance, residents are able to pay approximately 30-40 percent of their income toward rent and BHA pays the remainder. BHA helps provide housing to approximately 34,000 people under these programs. In addition, BHA provides subsidy to more than 2400 households under its Section 8 Project-Based Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation programs. Boston Housing Authority (BHA) collaborates with partner organizations to provide various services for residents. The services provide opportunities for skills training, educational advancement and economic advancement through self-sufficiency. BHA programs also support youth activities and health and wellness assistance.
The BCYF Shelburne Community Center has been and continues to be a safe haven for a large number of ethnic, cultural, and economically diverse youth, adults, elders and families for over forty five years. The center is named after Mr. John A. Shelburne, a native of Roxbury Mass. who dedicated over 30 years to social services, to youth, teens, and families within the community. For over 45 years the Shelburne C.C. has and will continue to create and implement innovative programs that will enhance opportunities for the youth, teens, adults, elders and families. We continue to provide youth, teens, adults, elders and families with educational, recreational, arts, community services, and fitness and wellness programs.
At BCYF Curtis Hall CC, we've been enhancing the lives of those residing in Jamaica Plain and surrounding City of Boston area residents for almost 40 years. We at BCYF Curtis Hall CC serve all populations regardless of age, sex, race, religion, economic background, sexual orientation, political affiliation, etc. The participants of BCYF Curtis Hall CC are provided free and/or affordable accessible programs and activities such as in-house basketball leagues, soccer, pickleball, swim team, drop-in teen center, homework assistance, Tech-Goes-Home, meals/snacks, computer programs, xbox/ps4-5 competitions, Zumba, arts & crafts, holiday card design for the veterans & seniors, fieldtrips, employment, etc. year-round & seasonally.
The LHCC has distinguished itself within the Dorchester community by providing relevant, high quality, and financially accessible programs. Some of these notable programs include, our summer camp, aquatics lessons, STEM programs, afterschool enrichment series, and elderly programing. We offer countless recreational and athletic programs including a youth flag football league, basketball league, volleyball, futsol, floor hockey, and an in house rock wall program. The center also provides much needed educational support during out of school time including homework help and book clubs. We also have a school year preschool program that is accredited by the NAEYC. Whether it's through gym, swim, homework help, or just plain fun, our center touches the lives of hundreds of Dorchester residents each year. Through engaging activities, educational & recreational field trips, leadership opportunities, employment, and so much more, we work to better the lives of youth and families in Dorchester.
Participants have the opportunity to balance academic tasks with daily fitness and recreational activities, teaching them healthy physical skills, and providing nutritional information along with daily snacks. There will be daily and weekly scheduled activities such as gym games, swim instruction, roller skating, along with dance, music, art, and seasonal, intramural and competitive sports. 100% of our participants are involved in fitness activities. We offered activities 5 days a week, Monday – Friday. There are at least 3 opportunities per week for the students to participate in activities with our athletic department. These activities can include, but are not limited to, roller skating, cooperative games, skill building activities and skills development. Currently about 100% of all children are participating in fitness activities at least 2 times per week. BCYF Mildred Ave Community Center has added a soccer program, , yoga, graphic/tshirt design., coding and illustrator. We have added Skills and Drills basketball fundamentals, where kids learn rules of the game then get to play. We have added boxing/ cardio conditioning, basic instruction and conditioning for kids who do not play traditional sports so they will have an opportunity to get exercise in a fun way. We have also added youth football clinics, which are non-contact and focuses on conditioning and basic understanding of the sport. We have been an ongoing participant of SuccessLink Summer and School Year Programs. We hire approximately 22 -30 youth during the summers and about 10-12 during the school year that support us in athletics, aquatics, teen center, office/administrative duties, computers and maintenance. We also have a robust Senior Program that averages 50- 60 participants ( ages 55 - 102) every Tuesday & Thursday from 9 am - 2 pm. We have breakfast, lunch and participate in variety of activities ranging from fitness, yoga, walking, jewelry making, board games, computers.
We mainly serve black and brown youth ages 9-19 from low income housing on a daily basis by providing a fun safe and learning enviroment during out of school time all year round .
