Boston Youth Fund
Over the years, the Boston Youth Fund (BYF) has made it a priority to offer positive job experiences to youth. It has been our philosophy that it is imperative to not only provide a paycheck, but also a quality work experience. This allows the youth of Boston an opportunity to discover and explore their talents while contributing to the well being of their community.
One of the most significant goals the Boston Youth Fund hopes to accomplish is granting youth the opportunity to discover new skills and an understanding about the workforce they will encounter in the future. Through their BYF experience, each youth employee is able to gain a sense of responsibility and teamwork, while broadening their sense of community. Another important goal for participants in the program is to form lasting relationships that carry beyond the summer months. By following through on these goals, we are able to effect thousands of youth throughout the City of Boston.
The Boston Youth Fund's major priority is to hire as many Hopeline applicants as possible. Hopeline is the registrar for the job-pool provided by the BYF. All those who register must be a resident of the City of Boston and be within the ages of 15 and 17 years old. Each February, youth applicants register through Hopeline for the possibility of being offered a summer job.
The BYF collaborates with many different community based organizations (CBOs) which hire Hopeline applicants for summer jobs. And our network continues to grow helping to create new and exciting opportunities for Boston teens. Youth employed through these programs encounter experiences that assist them in identifying what it is that they would like to do in the future. Some examples of positions awarded through the BYF are; photographer, tour guide, receptionist, athletic instructor, day care assistant, administrative assistant, mural painter, and recreational specialist (coaching baseball, football, etc.).
Our partnership with the New England Aquarium is a perfect example of how the BYF is broadening the horizons of Boston's teens. This year, thousands of visitors to the Aquarium were guided by BYF teens. BYF employees are trained and tested on information about exhibits by Aquarium staff and then they are able to use their newly acquired knowledge to host tours and exhibits during the summer.
Another organization that has been participating in the BYF program for years is the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester. The Boys & Girls Clubs offer programs in areas such as; arts, education, childcare, recreation, career exploration, and leadership development. The BYF youth that work at the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club serve in various capacities throughout the Club including maintenance, reception, office support, feeding programs, and outdoor play area staff.
If you have a job to offer to teens please contact the Mayor's Boston Youth Fund by calling (617) 635-4202 or emailing cfaletra@ci.boston.ma.us.
If you are looking for tips for teens on finding employment go to the TIPS page on Boston Youth Fund's website.