The youth, staff, and partners of YOU Boston celebrated the conclusion of their summer youth employment program on August 13 just as they had conducted it – virtually. A year ago, said Interim Director Jonathan Makrez over Zoom, “I would
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (YYAEH) already face barriers to employment, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated those difficulties. In an increasingly virtual world, finding a job is no longer a matter of knocking on doors or spotting “Now
If a young person makes mistakes early in life—gets caught up in the wrong crowd, hustles for money, breaks the law—second chances will not be easy to come by. A criminal record can all but eliminate most avenues to family-sustaining
Youth Options Unlimited Boston (YOU Boston) has been awarded a $630,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help young adults with criminal records and other employment barriers re-join their communities as productive citizens. With funding from the grant, YOU
Every summer, YOU Boston places urban youth in jobs that help them earn money, learn new skills, and give back to their community. This summer, YOU has even more to celebrate: the highest retention rate yet for its summer jobs program.
The latest analysis of Boston’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which employs over 10,000 Boston youth ages 14-22 with over 900 local employers each summer, finds that program participation is linked to improved academic and economic outcomes, as well as a decline in criminal
For generations of American youth, the summer job has been an iconic marker of growing up, taking on responsibility, and earning some degree of financial independence. But in recent decades, this pivotal life experience has become scarcer and scarcer. In
YOU Boston is known for providing at-risk young people with work opportunities, from summer jobs to training to transitional employment. But work is just the beginning. YOU staff are continually encouraging young people to think about the next step in their
Returning to civilian life after six years in the army, Edward Morgan, 27, found himself adrift in his native Dorchester. “I did random jobs. I was a driver, a chef. They didn’t last too long. I found myself getting in
Graduates of YOU Boston’s summer employment program gathered yesterday with Mayor Walsh, community leaders, public safety officials, and employers to celebrate the seven weeks they spent working jobs that benefited both the community and themselves. The program participants – all