Youth and Family Services
SuccessLink/Youth Employment
What is the SuccessLink Summer Employment Program
BHA partners with the Boston Center for Youth & Families (BCYF) to offer young people a positive job experience. Each February, youth applicants register on-line with the SuccessLink to be eligible for being offered a summer job. Registrants must be a resident of the City of Boston between the ages of 15 and 17. The Program strives to hire as many SuccessLink applicants as possible. Registration is now open and the deadline to apply is Friday March 30, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to log in and register.
How do I join?
Visit the BCFY Youth Engagement & Employment (YEE) Division for more information. The Community Services Department also regularly updates residents about youth employment opportunities.
What is Smart from the Start?
Smart from the Start is a family support, community engagement and school readiness program designed to empower low-income families with young children overcome the achievement gap and chronic poverty. This program is available to public housing and Section 8 residents in Charlestown, Roslindale, Mattapan, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Lower Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End.
How do I join?
For more information and/or referral, contact your Resident Services Coordinator or Cherie Craft, Executive Director of Smart from the Start, at (617) 635-5030.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
What is BBBS?
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Big Sisters of Greater Boston offer an ongoing, one-on-one mentoring program that pairs children 7 through 12 years of age (“Littles”) with an adult guide (“Bigs”). Bigs and Littles participate in various activities together, offering an opportunity for both to learn and grow while having a positive impact on their communities. This program is available to residents throughout the City and is often coordinated with the child’s school; we also have several special programs at Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, Franklin Field and Lenox Camden.
How do I join?
For more information and/or referral, contact your Resident Services Coordinator; the Recruitment Hotline, Big Sister of Greater Boston, at (617) 236-8070; or Terrence McCarron, BBBS Director of Program Services at (617) 956-0250.
Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF)
What is BCYF?
Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) offers a range of affordable programs for preschool and school-aged children and adults. Programs offered include education, family literacy, youth employment, violence prevention & intervention, senior activities, recreation and enrichment. BCYF has 35 facilities throughout Boston. BCYF’s programs also include Summer Camps.
You can visit the website or call (617) 635-KIDS (5437) to learn more about these programs.
How do I join?
For more information and referrals, contact your Resident Services Coordinator or BCYF at (617) 635-4920 to find the Community Center nearest to you.
Franklin Field Afterschool Workforce Program
What is Franklin Field Afterschool Workforce Program?
The BHA and its partner, All Aces, are launching a new afterschool program at the Franklin Field Youth Center in September 2024! Serving 8-12th graders at the site, this program will build pathways to college, apprenticeships, or careers for BHA youth. It will provide homework help, support students in finding and applying for college and training programs after high school, and develop students’ professional skills, which will create new education and career opportunities for youth after high school. Other support from the program will include career exploration opportunities, field trips, and an education savings program.
The program will run for two hours per week and students in 8-9th grade will receive $15 per hour for participating in the program while students in 10-12th grade will receive $17 per hour. All students will be eligible for additional bonuses when they achieve program milestones.
Additionally, the program will provide a full-time social worker to serve families living at Franklin Field. The social worker will provide counseling for youth and connect families to local programs and resources.
Interested in participating in the program? Complete this interest form.