Council Approves $600,000 in Grants to Support Boston's Youth and Job Seekers

During this week's Council meeting, the Council voted to accept and expend seven grants, totaling $602,919, geared toward workforce development and youth empowerment.

Three of the grants are from the Department of Labor, and fund two MassHire sites: Jewish Vocational Services and Action for Boston Community Development. These grants will help the centers provide services for job seekers, including job training, career counseling, adult education, and ESOL programs.

Four of the grants come from City partners, and are geared towards youth development and empowerment. A grant from the William T. Grant Foundation will pay for a new data analyst that can design, implement, and maintain a new hiring platform for the City's Youth Jobs program. A grant from the Boston Children's Hospital will fund a citywide youth summit, youth professional development and networking opportunities, and a youth needs assessment. Grants from Boston State Street Global Advisors and the Baupost Group will go towards the City's YOU program, which works to reduce the number of youth involved in the court system, and provide them with the critical support they need to succeed and thrive. The program has provided unique opportunities to youth all over the City, including DJ slots on Friday nights at local radio stations.

The Council unanimously approved these grants to invest in the people of Boston and support the work of City partners to make sure all residents, especially youth, have the support they need to grow and flourish.