Youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds are supported in their pursuit of academic excellence, while their curiosity is nurtured.
The CitySprouts mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder with hands-on science learning through urban gardens.
For more than twenty years, CitySprouts has partnered closely with public elementary schools in Cambridge and Boston to provide opportunities for children to learn by exploring the natural world as part of their school journey. CitySprouts is committed to greater equity in science education and children’s access to nature no matter where they live.
Enroot’s mission is to empower immigrant students to achieve academic, career and personal success through inspiring out of school experiences. Their programs provide immigrant youth leadership development workshops, internships, workforce readiness guidance, academic tutoring, and matching all students one-to-one with an adult mentor. The program goals are to:
The mission of Horizons for Homeless Children is to improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services.
Horizons for Homeless Children is the Commonwealth’s leading organization devoted exclusively to serving homeless children. Horizons focuses efforts on helping young children mitigate the trauma and stress associated with homelessness and providing them with a solid foundation for school. Their two-generation model provides mentoring, support, and resources for the parents of the children enrolled in their early education program to help them achieve their goals, support their families, and obtain permanent housing. The Playspace Program in family shelters throughout the state provide young children living in shelters with the opportunity to engage in vital developmental play despite their circumstances. Over the course of a year Horizons positively impacts the lives of thousands of children and families experiencing homelessness.
Kids in Tech excites, educates, and empowers children to use technology, while building a positive environment and fostering lifelong interests through innovative afterschool programs in Lowell and Greater Boston.
91% of Kids in Tech students report an increased understanding of the role of science their everyday life and report improved tech skills. 64% of Kids in Tech students report improved school grades.
The Possible Zone’s (TPZ) mission is to advance economic equity by ensuring young people develop the entrepreneurial spirit, skills, and networks to launch successful careers. Based in Boston, TPZ offers high school students a year-round, multi-year entrepreneurship program that includes project-based curriculum, STEAM education, hands-on work experience, and individualized college and career advising.
TPZ’s young entrepreneurs launch their own companies, learn design and advanced manufacturing, intern with local companies, and map their postsecondary goals and plans. In the process, they develop career readiness, social-emotional, and technical skills, and strengthen their professional identity, preparing them to succeed in any future path they choose.
This year, TPZ will open the doors to its new, 36,000 square-foot innovation center in Boston’s Jackson Square neighborhood. This state-of-the-art facility, with a full equipped makerspace, will allow the organization to grow enrollment to over 1,000 students annually by 2026. It will also serve as the hub for TPZ’s ecosystem model, with coworking and office space for social service, education, health, and business development partners, incubator labs for local entrepreneurs, and community space for workshops and forums. Ecosystem partners will support TPZ’s students and families in many ways, from co-developing programming and offering services, to providing internships and career opportunities.
School on Wheels of Massachusetts' (SOWMA) mission is to support the academic, social and emotional growth of students impacted by homelessness. Their vision is for all students to have the support necessary to be successful in school and achieve a productive future that will help end the cycle of homelessness. In 2004, SOWMA launched their Tutoring Program and added High School Plus, now the Bridge Program, in 2009. Today, SOWMA offer 3 Pathways to Success:
Since 2004, SOWMA has tutored 3,200+ students, celebrated 32 college graduations and distributed 25,000+ customized backpacks. SOWMA had a 100% graduation rate for Bridge Program college and high school seniors for the 2021 class.
Since 1994, Science Club for Girls fosters excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM for girls and gender-expansive youth from underrepresented communities by providing free, experiential programs and by maximizing meaningful interactions with women-in-STEM mentors.
With women making up less than 26 percent of the STEM workforce—and Black and Hispanic women at less than 4 percent—SCFG addresses a critical need, offering a continuum of engaging activities in STEM for K-8 girls, junior mentoring and leadership experiences for high school girls, and adult mentoring and role modeling by committed women with STEM careers.
Tech Goes Home (TGH) empowers communities to access and use digital tools to overcome barriers and advance lives. TGH brings computers, internet, and training to those without so students can do homework, adults can find jobs and manage finances, seniors can connect with loved ones, and all can lead healthier lives.
Each family or individual who participates in the TGH program completes 15 hours of digital skills training, earning a new Chromebook or iPad, and, if needed, an internet connection, preparing them to leverage technology in whatever way will benefit them most. Their digital literacy training focuses on fundamental skills needed to participate in remote learning and complete homework assignments, apply for jobs, communicate with support networks, utilize essential community resources, access telehealth, and use the internet safely and responsibly.
The mission of Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is to inspire youth through outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities that build confidence and prepare them to summit life’s challenges. Founded in 1968, YES has been delivering on its mission to inspire and challenge Boston youth through sports-based programs for more than 50 years. YES has grown from its origins as a one-season ski program to a year-round youth development organization that offers a rich menu of outdoor enrichment and leadership programs. During Fiscal Year 2021, more than 1,000 young people gained new experiences in the outdoors, improved self‐confidence, and developed into young leaders. Additionally, we are proud to report that YES has operated its programs continuously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, immediately transitioning to virtual activities in the early months and modifying in-person programming to continue offering young people opportunities to get outdoors and be active.