College and Career 

We expose teens to the world of options available to them and give them the tools they need to achieve their goals. We offer teens a wide range of supports including mentoring, academic tutoring, one-on-one counseling, career panels, college visits, and test preparation.

Career panels range in topic -- from the arts and sciences to business and from caring careers to medicine -- to show teens the variety of paths to success available to them. College fairs and campus visits expose students to the different types of college environments, and allow them to envision themselves in a college setting. To increase their competitiveness and confidence, we offer students a SAT prep and college prep series through a partnership with Let’s Get Ready. In addition, help teens find affordable pathways to college and other post-high school programs by bringing in speakers from organizations like uAspire. 

We pair high-school students and college alumni with mentors who work one-on-one with teens to help ensure their success. Mentors support teens through the process of goal setting, choosing colleges or other programs, completing applications, and identifying funding. Teens are also receive: help with time management, academic coaching, and assistance in developing executive functioning skills. This year the College and Career program has forty-five mentoring pairs. 

For more information about our College & Career Program, please contact Dede Evans

Academic Support & Enrichment

During Monday and Wednesday Academic Nights, middle and high school students and alumni eat dinner, do homework, obtain tutoring, work on school projects, and prepare college applications. Academic Nights also provide teens with access to technology and the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities like book clubs. 

Another way we provide teens with academic support is through high school visits. By meeting with guidance counselors and teachers, our staff are able to better support teens and ensure that they are staying on track in school.

For more information, please contact Lanaya Kimble.

We offer year round employment opportunities for fifteen to nineteen year olds as Counselors-in-Training (CITs) or Community Organizers. Teen employees recieve ongoing job training, professional development, supervision, as well as academic enrichment and college and career support. In addition, we have an internship stipend program for fourteen year-olds called our Junior Counselor-in-Training program.

Click HERE to check out teen employment opportunities.

For more information, please contact Lanaya Kimble.

B-READY School Year Program:

During the school year, teens are able to work as either CITs or community organizers. Teens work 10 hours a week and get paid minimum wage. CIT’s work as tutors, mentors and role models for elementary or middle school students, and community organizers work on campaigns that address the underlying structural causes of oppression and inequality and create material change in their neighborhoods. In addition to their employment, teens have access to all of the additional resources and programming offered in our Teen Program. 

During the school year, our 14 year old JCITs receive workplace training and academic support, including college visits, culturally enriching field trips, and service-learning projects.They intern for five hours per week as tutors, mentors and role models for younger students and engage in weekly programming to help them grow as leaders.    

B-SAFE Summer Program:

During the summer, CIT’s and Organizers work twenty-five hours per week as part of our full day summer program. We offer teen jobs at all 6 of our locations (South End, Lower Roxbury, Uphams Corner, Fields Corner, Mattapan and Chelsea). The CIT role includes supporting academic activities, games, sports, and electives, as well as supervising the younger students on field trips. In addition, CIT’s participate in weekly professional development sessions that focus on their own career exploration and growth. Community Organizers continue their work addressing underlying structural issues throughout the summer, leading a 5 week campaign.

During the summer, JCIT internships are available at two of our six summer sites. JCITs participate in full day programming for the five weeks, including working half the day to help younger students with academics and activities and attending their own programming after lunch. The last week of the program, JCITs are able to go to the Barbara C. Harris camp in New Hampshire. 

Service Learning

Our BRIDGE program provides teens with opportunities to participate in service learning trips. It is designed to broaden the perspectives and leadership skills of our high school students and encourage their engagement in global issues. Many of our young people have limited exposure to the challenges faced by communities beyond their neighborhoods. We have an ongoing partnership with Community Housing Coalition in Madison County, North Carolina and, thanks to some of our partner churches, with El Hogar in Honduras.

For more information, please contact Lanaya Kimble.