Youth programs & schools
Consistent priorityOut-of-school programs, mentoring, early education and school-based supports for children and teens.
Residents consistently ask for affordable after-school and summer programs, safe youth spaces, better-funded school buildings and food, child care, and tutoring and college access.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
281 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 81 | 6.6% | 3 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 87 | 7.2% | 4 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 113 | 8.5% | 4 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Affordable after-school, before-school and summer programs
Residents want free or low-cost programs, including before-school care for working parents and options for older teens, available at schools and community centers.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Safe places and activities for youth and teens
Residents say young people have few places to go and ask for centers, teen spaces, sports and mentoring to keep them engaged and out of trouble.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Better school funding, buildings and food
Residents ask for more money for schools, repairs and cooling or ventilation, supplies, and fresher, better school lunches.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Affordable child care
Residents ask for free, subsidized or voucher-based child care so working and single parents can keep their jobs.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Free tutoring, test prep and college access
Residents want free tutoring, SAT and exam prep, and scholarship help so lower-income students have the same chances as peers with private support.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Ideas were wide-ranging, covering school resources and facilities, free indoor playgrounds, college and scholarship help, mentoring, and playground renovations at specific Dorchester schools.
2025–26
Affordable before- and after-school programs for working parents and complaints about school lunches and missing air conditioning were the most common themes.
2026–27
Volume rose to 113 ideas, many short general asks for education funding and youth programs, along with school lunch complaints from students, swim lessons, and youth money-management and career programs.
New in 2026–27
Free swim lessons, reusing old East Boston police stations as youth centers, new or renovated schools in Allston-Brighton, and student reports of pests in school lunches stand out as new or growing.
Funding so far
The winning projects, grants for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and financial literacy workshops, address two narrower asks, but no winning project yet covers the recurring asks for affordable after-school and summer programs, child care, school buildings and food, or tutoring.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Programs Supporting Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Youth
2024–25 · $250,000
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to support youth ages 14-21 who are formerly or currently incarcerated, helping them build a brighter future.
Youth Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops
2025–26 · $250,000
This proposal provides financial literacy workshops at youth job sites, local events, and colleges for young people ages 14-24.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Public Schools
- BCYF
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Youth programs & schools
11 ideas
2024–25: 6 · 2025–26: 3 · 2026–27: 2 (of 281 in this theme)
- Youth entrepreneurship program in East BostonResident proposes workshops in financial literacy, AI, career readiness and leadership with small business mentors, giving East Boston youth practical career and entrepreneurial skills outside the classroom.2026–27East Boston
- More investment in youth and familiesResident asks for more investment in youth and more financial support for families.2026–27East Boston
- Youth projects that include everyoneResident asks for projects for young people, noting the benefit of including everyone.2025–26East Boston
- More child care programsResident asks for more child care programs for the community.2025–26East Boston
- Education and gathering spaces for youth and familiesResident asks for education for youth and families and places where young people from all backgrounds can gather and support one another.2025–26East Boston
- Youth sports program for healthier livesCreate a sports program for young people of all ages, regardless of status, to promote healthier habits.2024–25East Boston
- New high school in Orient HeightsBuild a high school in Orient Heights, possibly on the former casket factory site, because there is none nearby.2024–25East Boston
- Low-cost year-round youth center with sports and poolThe resident asks for a low-cost, year-round center for children and teens with sports, a pool and more, to keep them busy and away from addiction.2024–25East BostonSubmitted in Spanish
- Scholarships for East Boston humanities studentsResident asks for scholarships for East Boston high school students planning to study humanities, since cost keeps many low-income, first-generation students from college.2024–25East Boston
- New school building for Donald McKay SchoolRequests a new building for the Donald McKay school with modern facilities for East Boston students, including arts rooms, gyms and libraries.2024–25East Boston
- Community access to BYFC and youth prevention programsThe EASTIE Coalition proposes wider community access to Boston Youth & Family Centers and funding for youth prevention programs on resilience, wellness and HOPE to support youth mental health.2024–25East Boston