DYEE 2015 Annual Report

2015
Youth Employment Annual Report
Boston Centers for Youth and Families Division of
Youth Engagement & Employment is a one-stop
shop resource center for youth in the City of
Boston. Our goal is to meet the needs of young
people by connecting them to a variety of
opportunities, resources and free or low-cost
events in Boston.

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2015 SNAPSHOT

$4.3 million 3,797 youth All of Boston’s
estimated in employed neighborhoods
total income annually represented by
our employees
of youth Over 300
employees partners 80% of young
during the supervisors
80% of young school year participated
employees and summer in trauma
identify as
people of training
color

Based on feedback from youth employees that participated in the 2015 SuccessLink
Youth Employment Program…

94% now feel they have a positive role model

93% knew how to access resources in their neighborhoods

87% developed answers to the usual questions asked at an interview

97% felt prepared to enter a new job

95% felt the experience was valuable

100% participated in work readiness and life skills development
workshops, including resume writing, mock interviews, financial
education, occupational safety & health, anti-bullying, cyber-
bullying, professionalism and other life skills and workplace
development topics.

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SUCCESSLINK

SuccessLink is Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s signature youth employment program that
replaced the Boston Youth Fund's HOPELINE. SuccessLink engages over 300 non-
profit, community based agencies in which youth ages 15-18 can apply for
meaningful employment. Over 7,000 youth registered on SuccessLink for a
summer job in 2015. The positions that the young people obtain focus on
professional development and life skills. The partnering non-profit organizations
provide various job opportunities/categories, including, environmental,
agriculture, community advocacy, civic engagement, peer leadership,
administrative, technology, camp counselor, childcare and many more. Registering
through SuccessLink also connects young people to BCYF YEE’s full menu of
services, including career development opportunities, peer-led workshops,
scholarships, and civic engagement opportunities tailored to their interests.

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HIGHHiLghIGligHhTtsS

Annual Job Fair

In 2015 BCYF YEE hosted a job fair at
the BCYF Madison Park where young
people participated in development
workshops, met potential employers,
and registered for employment. Over
1,500 young people pre-registered to
attend and more than 600 were in
attendance.

This yearly event continues to draw
hundreds of young people that
connect to employers and prepare for
the upcoming SuccessLink summer
employment program.

Community Dream Team

YEE developed and implemented a new pilot
program called the Community Dream. The
Community Dream Team is a CORI friendly
workforce and leadership development
program for youth ages 18-24. Participants
were immersed in projects at community
based organizations or city departments for
the summer and were also tasked with
documenting the progress of their work
through video. All participants met weekly for
team building, professional development,
reflection, and advising from Career Coaches,
who were staff from City of Boston
departments.

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TESTIMONIALS

“While I was on the Community Dream Team, my supervisors
worked to give me the best experience possible. The work
environment was centered on helping us grow as
professionals, build on our skillsets, and actualize our future
goals. The feeling of constant support was wild; they were
willing to do anything to help us succeed!”

Asia, 19

“BCYF'S Division of Youth Engagement and Employment's
summer job program though SuccessLink has allowed me
to become the young man I am today. I am fortunate
enough to have expanded my knowledge on youth
leadership and have used those skills to impact the city. It
is because of YEE that I conquered my fear of public
speaking by receiving amazing mentors who contributed
to my efforts of speaking with President Obama, CNN, and
city newspapers.”

Malachi, 17

“Having a BCYF YEE job has positively impacted me because it
has given me connections I would not have had otherwise.
Through YEE, I was able to explore the city of Boston and
network with everyone from department heads to Mayor
Walsh. Working with YEE made me realize that I can make an
impact on youth in the city, inspiring me to become a
guidance counselor and to work with young people in the
future.”

Anna, 17

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Thank You!

On behalf of all Boston neighborhoods that were served,
and the countless lives that were touched in 2015, the Boston
Centers for Youth and Families, Division of Youth
Engagement and Employment would like to say

thank you for a successful year to:

The 3,797 young people employed---for their limitless

devotion to their jobs and dedication to the improvement of
their communities.

More than 300 work sites and staff for helping young

people in Boston gain life changing personal and professional
skills during their employment at your organizations.
If you are committed to positively impacting young people in
Boston through employment programs, and would like to
become a part of the City of Boston’s Employment program,
please view the opportunities available on

youth.boston.gov

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