June 21, 2007 - 12:30 pm
UNITE FOR YOUTH Rally at City Hall

It is time for adults to take the lead from young people, unite, and STAND WITH YOUTH -- to put action and not just words behind our call for additional opportunities.

SEE YOU ON THE 21ST AT 12:30!

Click below to download a flyer -- and please distribute wide and far!

Call The Mayor and City Councilors

This Week!

This month, the Mayor decides a final budget based on negotiations with City Councilors and the community's demands. All of our elected officials need to hear that our whole community stands with young people. We are advocating for a youth voice in decisions and more opportunities -- in order to save lives this year.

• $4.5 million for year-round and summer jobs
• $2 million for grants to youth organizations
• $1.5 million for streetworkers

Mayor Thomas Menino

• Phone: 617-635-3151
• E-mail: mayor@cityofboston.gov
  

Your City Councilors

You can call five City Councilors: the four at large councilors who represent all of Boston, plus your District councilor.

Central City Hall Switchboard: (617) 635-4000 (call and ask for the Councilors below by name)

At Large City Councilors (representing all of Boston)

• Michael Flaherty - (617) 635-4205 - Michael.F.Flaherty@cityofboston.gov
• Stephen Murphy - (617) 635-4376 - Stephen.Murphy@cityofboston.gov
• Sam Yoon - (617) 635-4217 - Sam.Yoon@cityofboston.gov
• Felix Arroyo - (617) 635-3115 Felix.Arroyo@cityofboston.gov

District City Councilors (elected by voters in the district indicated):

• Sal LaMattina - (617) 635-3200 - Salvatore.LaMattina@cityofboston.gov - East Boston, Charlestown, North End/Waterfront, City Hall/Beacon Hill/Islands
  
• Bill Linehan - (617) 635-3203 - Bill.Linehan@cityofboston.gov - Chinatown, South Boston, South End, Roxbury/South Bay, Dorchester
  
• Maureen Feeney, Council President - (617) 635-3455 - Maureen.Feeney@cityofboston.gov - Dorchester, Harbor Islands
  
• Charles Yancey - (617) 635-3131 - Charles.Yancey@cityofboston.gov - Dorchester, Mattapan
  
• Rob Consalvo - (617) 635-4210 - Rob.Consalvo@cityofboston.gov - Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan
  
• John Tobin - (617) 635-4220 - John.Tobin@cityofboston.gov - Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury
  
• Chuck Turner - (617) 635-3510 - Chuck.Turner@cityofboston.gov - Roxbury, Dorchester, South End, Fenway
  
• Michael Ross - (617) 635-4225 - Michael.Ross@cityofboston.gov - Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Fenway/Kenmore, Mission Hill, West End, Allston
  
• Jerry McDermott - (617) 635-3113 - Jerry.McDermott@cityofboston.gov - Allston, Brighton
  

A Multifaceted Solution to Violence:
$8 Million Additional City Funding for Youth

With the epidemic of violence in Boston, young people are hurt, angry and frustrated. We are advocating for a youth voice in decisions and more youth opportunities — in order to save lives this year.

For three years, United Youth and Youth Workers of Boston has advocated for restoring City funding for youth opportunities. With violence remaining at 10 year highs, youth and youth workers are calling for a solution to violence that emphasizes young people's long-term development, not short-term reactions to violence.This solution includes:

• $4.5 million for year-round and summer jobs, including jobs for 14- and 18-year olds and youth with CORIs;
• $2 million for grants for youth organizations, administered by a community board including youth and youth workers;
• $1.5 million for streetworkers, to increase the number to 50 (about 3 per community) and their starting salary to $35,000.

At a May 24 budget hearing on youth jobs, we spoke for those who have died. We don’t want to do so again — we don’t want anyone else to die from street violence. We don’t want to constantly wonder, “Who’s next?” The situation is urgent and we want the violence to stop. The time to act is now.

Additional Reading and Links

• One-pager detailing the $8 million ask from the City
• An analysis of Mayor Menino's proposed budget
  
• Year round and summer jobs statistics
  
• Photo Gallery - May 24, 2007 March at City Hall
• Video - May 24, 2007 Boston Youth Fund testimony (drag timer to start at 51 minutes)
  
• Op-Eds - South End News and Dorchester Reporter (Page 20)
  
• Boston Globe Editorial (May 4, 2007): "Walking the talk of gang peace"
• Long-term priorities for youth and youth workers (April 2004)

Get Involved!

Youth and youth workers speak out at a February 2006 City Council hearing on youth violence.

Since the United Youth and Youth Workers of Boston formed in 2004, hundreds of youth and youth workers from across the city have participated in making our issues known and our voice heard! Please visit the rest of this site and contact us to learn more and get involved!