CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
We highly encourage our youths to be civically engaged in their communities. Community organizing for social justice and advocating for their futures allows our youths to take their inner voices public. Throughout the year they plan, organize, and participate in community service projects. Youths also attend I Have A Future's Youth Jobs Rally which advocates a larger state budget for youth employment.
Past community-service events have included Boston Shines (a citywide, neighborhood-based street-cleaning day), helping out at the Boston Food Bank, and surveying local businesses about what they need from elected officials.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH COUNCIL
HSYC members plan and attend workshops on leadership skills, public speaking, advocacy, mediation, conflict resolution, event planning, and youth philanthropy. The youth-driven agenda is largely self-governed and has a civic-engagement focus.
HSYC members participate in Ashoka's Youth Ventures project. In the program they create a sustainable business plan that is socially beneficial to the community. They pitch the plan to a panel of judges for a potential reward of up to $1000 in startup funding.
Youths also learn to fundraise by raising money for programs and activities. Events, which take place during February vacation, have included the "Winter Turn-Up Dance" which attracted more than 100 teens and generated income for the council’s philanthropy and activities.
Youth Council officers are elected annually by youth membership. Campaigns last one week and introduce youths to the democratic process.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH COUNCIL
MSYC members develop group priorities for their community-service-learning projects. Each year they learn business, promoting, and organizational skills by preparing fundraising events such as Lemonade Day and the Annual Bake Sale. Youths also take part in the Ashoka's Youth Ventures by assisting HSYC in the development of products.
Bird Street Community Center
Phone Number
(617) 282-6110
Address
500 Columbia Road
Dorchester, Massachusetts 02125
United States
School Year Hours
Mon - Thu 2pm - 8pm Friday 2pm - 9pm
Summer Activity Hours
Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm
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