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
281 ideas
2024–25: 81 · 2025–26: 87 · 2026–27: 113
- Youth center for ages 14-18 teaching life skillsThe resident asks for a youth center where 14-18 year-olds learn life skills and knowledge, because young Black men lack needed knowledge and resources.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Promote youth center community eventsThe resident asks for more people to promote and market community events at youth centers.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Teach youth about economy and worker empowermentThe resident asks for programs teaching young people about the economy, money and worker empowerment so they understand their importance.2026–27DorchesterSubmitted in Korean
- More youth career-building programsResident asks for more youth programs to help kids build careers, open to any child or teen regardless of race or citizenship.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Community meetings and training for youth from age 10Resident asks for community meetings to identify youth issues from age 10 and to provide training programs so young people gain experience early.2026–27DowntownSubmitted in Korean
- Foundation teaching money management to youthResident proposes a foundation to teach money management, since many young people don't know how to invest their money.2026–27Dorchester
- More places for young peopleResident asks for more places for youth, which would bring together young people who are on the street.2026–27City-wide
- More programs to keep youth away from vicesResident asks for more youth programs to steer young people away from vices or from falling into them, helping families stay united.2026–27City-wide
- Support youth soccer teams and projectsResident asks for help for youth soccer teams or projects so young people have more resources to improve their sports skills.2026–27City-wide
- Youth programs to relieve stress and try new thingsResident asks for investment in youth programs where young people can socialize, release stress and be introduced to new activities.2026–27City-wide
- Free youth project teaching life skills, ages 10-15Resident proposes a project for youth ages 10 to 15 teaching various topics with free food, to help future generations become more independent.2026–27City-wide
- Financial literacy classes for teensResident asks for classes in schools or teen programs on managing, growing and investing money, including buying a home or car and paying for college.2026–27City-wide
- More youth community centersResident asks for more youth community centers as safe places for those with unsafe home situations, helping prevent youth homelessness and crime.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Youth center helping with jobs, school, food, shelterResident asks for a well-publicized youth center that helps young people find jobs, school, food and shelter and connects everyone.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Spend money on schoolsResident asks the City to invest money in schools.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- More investment in youth and familiesResident asks for more investment in youth and more financial support for families.2026–27East Boston
- Funding for youth afterschool activitiesResident asks for funding for after-school activities for youth.2026–27City-wide
- Funding for kids' afterschool activitiesResident asks for funding for afterschool activities for children.2026–27City-wide
- Funding for schoolsResident asks for more funding for schools.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Community meetings and training for youth 10 and olderThe resident asks for community meetings with youth aged 10 and older to identify issues and provide training programs so they gain experience early.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean