Anyone who works with young people, ages 6-21, is encouraged to join the Youth Workers' Alliance. There are more than 40 youth-serving agencies in the South End / Lower Roxbury; and there are 5,000 young people, most of whom live in 14 subsidized housing developments. Building bridges is key to ensuring positive opportunities & a better future for youth & our community.
"Every city examined," said one recent study by the Forum for Youth Investment, "cited relationship-building issues - convening, collaboration, networking, coordination- as among the most vital tasks in building greater out-of-school opportunities for young people." [1] These "relationship-building" skills are precisely the strengths of the Youth Workers' Alliance.
Youth work is a fragmented field, but the YWA has created an integrated web of youth programs in a neighborhood segregated by race and class. We build leadership among youth workers, so they can be role models for youth today, and community leaders tomorrow.
Accomplishments
- Network of 200 youth workers with monthly meetings, annual retreat, & resource sharing;
- Building cooperation among youth programs and youth through collaborative events and monthly calendar of events;
- Advocacy on youth issues, including budget cuts & summer jobs;
- Resource Center for youth workers, including information on employment, educational opportunities, grants, curriculum, and more;
- Grassroots grant-making to collaborative projects through the Youth Activities Fund;
- Building leadership among youth workers;
- Collaborative Events, including a standing-room only Talent Show with a violence prevention theme, run by and for teens; holiday parties; and community scavenger hunts;
- YWA Awards Ceremony, annual community-wide event for all ages to recognize youth, youth workers, & community members;
- Participation in diverse coalitions for our community and youth;
- Recognition: "Bridge Builder Award" from Pridelights/AIDS Action Committee; 2 community service awards from the Boston Police; and chosen for inclusion in the Catalogue for Philanthropy.
Read more about the YWA!
- About the YWA
References
[1] "Moving an Out-of-School Agenda, Task Brief #1" Tolman, Pittman, Yohalem, Thomases, Trammel. Published by the Forum for Youth Investment, Takoma Park, MD 2002
