Boston Urban Youth Foundation

CONTACT:

PO 1545
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-445-3380
www.buyf.org

Chris Troy, President

DESCRIPTION:

Truancy is one of the leading indicators of future criminal and socially defiant behavior. Boston has one of the nation's highest truancy rates with over 4,000 truants in 1996-97. BUYF was incorporated in 1992 as a local religious youth organization whose purpose is to "help young people grow emotionally, spiritually, academically, and economically." It operates "Whatcha Looking For," a mentoring program for at-risk youth, with discussion groups, service projects, camps, college tours and leadership development; a "Youth Enterprise Project" that helps youth create their own businesses; and a College Preparation program. BUYF has also launched "Opening Doors," created as that part of the "safety net" that catches youth when they fall out of school.

Working with the Boston Police, Public Schools, Roxbury District Court, Department of Youth Services, local churches and the Justice Resource Institute, BUYF reaches truant teens out in the streets, and helps each one to build a viable support-structure involving school, police, clergy and the courts. Your support will help.

(1998: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)