Community Based Organizations (CBO)

As the BYF grows, we are constantly looking for new ways to teach youth life skills. Any one can push a broom, we want Boston youth to have more resume building opportunities. We have accomplished this goal by expanding the non-profit participation in our program.

Community Based Organizations (CBOs) comprise the section of the BYF that has the potential to grow every year. The expansion of the CBOs will create many new opportunities for the youth of Boston. The BYF has developed into a support tool for many of the CBO programs throughout the city. Our community based programs increased dramatically with education as the focus in 1997 and 1998. In these years the BYF funded over 184 Community Based Organizations.

Our partnerships with the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science are perfect examples of how the BYF is broadening the horizons of Boston's youth. This year, thousands of people were taught by BYF youngsters at the Aquarium and the Science Museum. The youths learned about the aquarium and science, took tests, and passed thier newly acquired knowledge on to visitors by hosting tours throughout the summer. These are programs that will continue to help the BYF grow and, in return, help our youth grow.

By adding these educational components to our program, we are encouraging youth to go on to college. It is every good parents goal that their child has more success than they did. We are simply helping this along. The economic impact of having a better educated work force is substantial. Boston is one of the "hottest" cities in the nation right now. We have lowered crime rates, our rents are high, our vacancies low- the youth need to be a part of this if Boston is to continue to succeed.