Students learned a great deal about professionalism, time management, and project management…The students played a part in each step of the event planning process, from generating the idea, to securing the venue, to reaching out to potential presenters, to staffing the event. Our students were very pleased with their accomplishments, as they watched teens from throughout the city benefit from the information provided to them that night. Participation in the event planning course helped our students develop valuable skills, leadership capacity, and greater confidence.”
– Danielle E. Pape, Dean of Educational Partnerships – Boston Preparatory Charter School
Our Program Focus
Our program focuses on youth development, leadership skills and empowerment through active civic participation and experiential learning. We utilize strategies that connect youth through collaboration with community partners, government officials, and agencies to address broader community issues. Our school year program may be in-school, after-school, or community based and serves high school students and opportunity youth in Boston and Cambridge.
Why Our Program Works
Our programs develop our students on a personal, academic, and professional level. Our students range in age, backgrounds, ethnicity, and ability and use their life experiences as a catalyst to identify social issues that resonates with them. They discuss social issues and develop projects as a team to raise awareness and have an impact through collaboration and civic engagement. Through student-centered learning, our students are empowered to use their voice to make a difference in their lives and the community.
We motivate and engage students by:
- Providing a welcoming and positive environment regardless of ethnicity, ability, or economic background where everyone is equal
- Enhancing student self-confidence through affirmation, encouragement, and nurturing
- Surveying students on their interests, likes and dislikes
- Allowing students to work creatively, build peer relationships, and believe in their competency to reach goals and view obstacles as learning opportunities
- Creating active and collaborative outside learning opportunities
- Creating challenging and enriching educational experiences with brainstorming, project management, team building, and other essential skills
- Developing behavioral skills to have positive interactions with peers and adults and re-engaging the disengaged
- Providing a voice and tools to students to know they are valued and their voice matters