In a bold move to address the needs of the city’s young population, Mayor Michelle Wu, in partnership with the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA), has rolled out Youth Speaks Boston, a comprehensive survey striving to pinpoint the gaps in services for Boston’s youth aged 14 to 25. Designed to collect detailed input on the challenges and needs that arise outside the school and work hours, the survey is the first of its kind in the city. According to a report by the
City of Boston
, this effort marks a commitment to centering and responding to the voices of the young in shaping the city’s future.
“As we design the best supports for our kids, we want to hear directly from our city’s youth on what matters to them and where we could be doing better in providing services,” Mayor Wu stated, emphasizing the city’s goal to strengthen after school opportunities. The first phase involves an anonymous online survey that is available now through January and, later in 2025, will be followed by peer-led focus groups for in-depth analysis of priority areas. The initiative, by pulling together significant institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), is pioneering a unified, intentional approach to address the well-being of Boston’s younger citizens, as per
City of Boston
.
Pedro Cruz, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, mentioned the collaboration with BCH, BPHC, and CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University, describing it as a melding of expert knowledge in youth development, health, and civic participation. “This data will provide a foundation for impactful changes that benefit Boston’s young people,” Cruz told the
City of Boston
. Questions in the survey cover a spectrum of topics, such as community inclusion, mental health, events, and transportation, aiming to build a roadmap that will direct city investments and community efforts to bolster youth programming and safety.
The survey, accessible in multiple languages to ensure equality in feedback, can be found at boston.gov/youthspeaks or through QR codes in public spaces. Once the survey period concludes in January 2025, a thorough analysis by the city and its research partners will commence. “Youth Speaks Boston is timely given the rising rates of youth loneliness and mental health concerns,” Idia Binitie Thurston, PhD, Professor and Director of the CHANGE lab at Northeastern University, explained the importance of the initiative. Findings from this effort will guide public health planning and enhance strategies to improve health outcomes among Boston’s youth and young adults, aligning with the larger Boston 2024 Community Health Assessment Survey, stated by the
City of Boston
.
The response from the youth is anticipated to significantly influence resource allocation and policy formation within the city. “The feedback we gather through this process will feed directly into decisions about funding, program development, and policy change,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services, underscoring the survey’s direct impact. In early 2025, a comprehensive report detailing the survey’s key findings and action plans will be made public, after which the city will implement the recommended steps, according to the
City of Boston
.
Community leaders are urged to spread the word about Youth Speaks Boston so as to involve a broad and diverse demographic. This initiative is a clear signal that Boston is listening to its younger residents, providing them with an opportunity to have a say in the community that is poised to support their journey into adulthood.
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