Martin J. Walsh: Reflection on Summer Programming for Youth

From Mayor Martin J. Walsh: Reflection on Summer Programming for Youth

As the summer comes to a close and we prepare for another school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the offerings for youth in our City this summer, and recognize the great work of our Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) these last few months. For more than 40 years, BCYF has served as an important resource for our families, providing free and low-cost options for working parents, and this summer was no exception, with thousands of kids enjoying a wide variety of programs and events.

In camps and programs this summer, BCYF served an average of 3,000 young people weekly and hundreds more attended flexible drop-in activities. Some of the programming highlighted free weekday drop-in programs at 10 locations in Boston called “Summer Fun Stops.” This included, but was not limited to, three free weekday sports centers, 50 summer day, 20 recreation programs and tournaments, featuring the historic Boston Neighborhood Basketball League, youth employment programs, and weekly Block Parties.

Even years later, I still have crystal clear memories of the summer during my younger years, making new friends and trying out new activities.

We had two special focuses this summer: expanding opportunities for girls and hosting later-night activities for all teens. The extensive menu of opportunities for girls culminated with the Citywide Girls Leadership Summit, generously hosted by Simmons College last weekend. In addition to the Summit, this year’s BCYF Girls Initiative included the Girls Leadership Corps (GLC), which engaged 21 girls ages 13-15 as peer leaders to spearhead community service projects and involve their peers in workshops and activities. BCYF also hosted Girls Night Out events, featuring a visit to the Children’s Museum, a skate night, ice cream social and more. The Girls Night In events at BCYF community centers received the best reviews, offering fun-filled activities such a beach party and rock climbing night.

Activities for teens included Super Fun Stops at three BCYF centers with extended evening hours for teens and four Teens-Only Nights at community centers that featured a variety of teen-only activities including a dance, talent show, fitness night and more.

To increase the number and variety of quality programs for youth and teens across the city, BCYF offered small Summer Fun Grants to nearly 90 organizations running summer youth programming. With assistance from the BCYF Summer Fun Grant, these agencies were able to offer everything from art activities to Salsa dancing to website design for free to hundreds of Boston youth.

Now that fall is coming, you can find BCYF’s Program Guide 2014-15 online at BCYF’s website. Anyone looking for fall programming info should check it out. There will also continue to be a focus on building opportunities for girls and teens including a new BCYF Youth Advisory Council, which will empower youth to make their voices heard and engage in program planning and execution.  

I have spent a lot of time over the years at the Murphy Community School, now known as the BCYF Leahy-Holloran Community Center. I am aware of the importance of this center – and all the BCYF centers – in their neighborhoods, and I look forward to working with all of you to make our centers even better!