BCYF SuperTeens

8
6 min to read

Boston, USA
About the city. In Boston’s highest crime neighbourhoods 53% of youth are unemployed or not in the workforce. 22% of families are below the poverty line ($24,300 per year for a family of fours).

Goal

The BCYF SUPERTeens program aims to provide a valuable pre-employment summer experience for young teenagers that sets them up for success in the future, provides fun and unique hands-on learning activities and experiences, and rewards them for their hard work.

SUPERTeens 2016 Program Objectives included:

Increase summer enrollment numbers from 120 to 150 youth citywide.
Provide weekly pre-employment skill-building workshops such as workforce, readiness, resume writing, personal brand building, career compass, etc.
Teach teens how to contribute to a team in a work-related environment successfully.
Offer a stipend to teens who complete 80% of the program hours to teach the importance of attendance, commitment, and earning as they relate to a job or career.
Introduce SUPERTeensto Boston’s art and enrichment institutions.

Implementation period. In 2012, BCYF identified a need for summer programs for 13 and 14-year-olds, an age group that is too old for traditional summer camp programs but still too young for employment.

Fact

In 2020, the City of Boston Credit Union provided an online personal finance course from local edtech company Money Experience to 400 participants of the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) SuperTeens Program.

Solutions

The BCYF SuperTeens Program is a six-week leadership program for 13 and 14-year-olds who are interested in developing new skills, making new friends, and having a fun summer. This program is offered to youth in every neighbourhood of Boston and is based within our BCYF community centre network. Activities include field trips to local businesses, government agencies, and art and historical institutions. In addition to weekly trips, there are workshops and educational activities that help SuperTeens succeed in their upcoming school year and in future employment opportunities. SuperTeens also participate in recreational activities including swimming, rock climbing, computer classes, open gym, and other special activities as determined by their host site. Participants receive a stipend at the end of the summer for the successful completion of the SuperTeens Program (at least 80% attendance).

Participants in BCYF SuperTeens

develop new skills, make new friends, and have a fun summer,
attend workshops and educational activities to prepare for success in school and in future jobs,
enjoy weekly virtual social and recreational activities,
receive a stipend at the end of the program if they complete all required activities and meet attendance goals.

Program requirements

Proof of residency in the City of Boston (for example, Boston Public Schools report card, landline phone, gas, cable, or electric bill.)
Copy of a Social Security Card
Copy of a Birth Certificate
Completed W-9 form

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVnnACgZu7E

Team

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF). The SuperTeens program is sponsored by Comcast and The Foundation for BCYF and is generously supported by MassHousing, MCCA, NBT II Foundation, and The Boston Foundation.