How You Can Connect

You can either join one of the networks listed below, or you can work on building a new network in your community! Please contact us if you are interested in connecting with other youth workers in your community.

Existing Youth Worker Networks

• The Chinatown Coalition, Youth Subcommittee.
  Contact Varsha Ghosh, vghosh@fas.harvard.edu
• Critical Breakdown.
  Critical Breakdown is an organization that holds monthly open mics with a positive vibe, as well as "Youth Truth" workshops for youth to deepen their artistic skills and political consciousness. Although its own organization, it is one of the main places where youth, youth workers, and youth programs in the hip hop community come together.
  Contact Erik Wissa, ewissa@afsc.org
• Dudley Outreach Worker Network. On hiatus.
• East Boston Network.
  Contact Laura Crandall, lcrandall@noahcdc.org
• Grove Hall Youth Workers' Alliance.
  Contact Mike Kozu, 617-541-5451
• Mission Hill Youth Collaborative.
  Contact Chinwe Kpaduwa, 617-425-2081 or chinwesk@gmail.com
• South End/Lower Roxbury Youth Workers' Alliance.
  Contact Sandy Martin, 617-425-2081 or ywa@sechc.org
  Visit http://youthworkersalliance.org

What Are Youth Worker Networks?

Youth workers in Boston communities and beyond have formed youth worker networks. We are creating networks that are driven by youth workers, the people who work directly with youth day to day. Along with youth themselves, we know what they go through, what needs to be done to support them, and what we need to support each other.

These networks provide:

• Professional support. We come together to share trainings, best practices, advice, resources, and information about programs. We learn conflict resolution skills and how to develop youth leadership; get ideas for doing good youth work while satisfying organizational requirements; share curriculum, activities, and success stories; and more.
• Personal support. With long hours, difficult and emotionally intense work, and low pay, networks offer a way for youth workers to re-energize, to affirm each other's work and values, and to develop friendships with others who care about youth as much we do.
• Community support for youth. It's important to come together as an entire community to support youth. We connect youth to other resources, support each other's events, collaborate on projects that benefit youth, and advocate for youth, youth workers, and youth programs.