Growing up is challenging work for all young people. However, some of our youth must overcome almost insurmountable obstacles including – violence, drugs, having children, difficulty with parents, homelessness, struggling in school or dropping out, joblessness, unemployment, etc. These youth at high risk need our help to become all they were meant to be.

This website spotlights successful approaches and ideas from providers all over the city to work with youth with multiple barriers to success. This tool will help providers strengthen connections with others who can help.

For information on 2007 Network meetings, click here. Coming Soon

For 2007 membership information, click here (group), click here (individual)

For High Risk Youth Network publications - Coming Soon

To contact the Network, click here.

Network Overview
The High Risk Youth Network is a service of the Boston Capacity Tank, which is a program of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston. The purpose of the Boston Capacity Tank (the Tank) is to build the capacity of faith-based organizations (FBOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) so that they become more sustainable and more effective. The ultimate goal is better lives for our youth and families and more vital communities. The Tank is a partnership between the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB), the Black Ministerial Alliance (BMA), the Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC) and the Boston Ten Point Coalition (BTPC). For a one page description of the partner agencies, click here.

The overall purpose of the Network is to strengthen the system of services for high-risk youth in the city of Boston. All youth deserve to have every opportunity needed to grow up to live holistically healthy lives and be productive citizens.

The network believes that it is the entire community’s responsibility to do our best work together to support youth who face these obstacles by creating avenues for success and helping them set and achieve positive goals. It is the appropriate role for the service agencies in the network to provide resources and strategies that develop the social, emotional and spiritual needs of our people. Our youth must receive holistic support to develop their gifts and overcome life’s challenges. Without it, these youth are at high risk for continuing to live in a cycle of destructive behavior.

The Network has identified four priorities to guide its work in 2007:
* Identify and address gaps in youth services, Provide information to agencies
* Set common city-wide goals for youth
* Improve and increase jobs and job readiness training for youth
* Advocate on behalf of youth at high risk and the agencies that serve them

2006-07 Reports
The Boston Youth Survival Guide
Welcome to the Boston Youth Survival Guide 2007-2008, a user-friendly guide to help youth in Boston find the services they need to be safe, healthy and successful. The contents of this Survival Guide were crafted using information from focus groups with youth, service providers, parents, and law enforcement personnel as well as the review of existing directories and research. Throughout the process we’ve learned about the needs of youth at high risk in Boston as well as gaps in the services provided to these youth. The Survival Guide gives practical TIPS about what youth can do and who they can turn to in many different situations. It also lists the many agencies in Boston that are working to help youth deal with stressful lifestyles and obstacles. It is our hope that the outcome of this research will be of use to you.

The Jobs Resource Guide- Coming Soon

2005 Reports
• Jobs Promising Practice Report
“Promising Practices in Preparing, Hiring and Sustaining High-Risk Youth in Employment” is for everyone who wants to help youth at high risk to enter and retain employment and to move up a meaningful career path.
• Boston Youth Survival Guide 2005
A user-friendly guide to help youth in Boston find the services they need to be safe, healthy, and successful.
• Needs Assessment Report
For service providers, to strengthen the understanding of youth at high risk and what services are most necessary to help them reach positive goals.