Programs to Support Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Youth
Status: Completed
Original Proposal
This proposal offered grants to nonprofit organizations to support youth ages 14-21 who are or went through the juvenile detention system, helping them build a brighter future.
The Boston Office of Returning Citizens offered one-time grants opportunities to organizations that could provide access to mentorship, skills training and education, health and wellness programs, and other types of support services that can expose and prepare impacted youth to diverse opportunities. Programs could include home economics, grant writing, college prep, entrepreneurship, trade learning, etc.
Budget Breakdown
Total Budget: $250,000
Spent/Committed: $250,000
Remaining: $0
Implementation and Impact
- The Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) released a grant application in early May of 2025, with a total of 12 organizations, out of over 40 applications, receiving grants totaling $250,000.
- Grantees completed proposed activities by early summer of 2026, sharing a final report with the Office of Returning Citizens in mid-July.
- ORC and the Office of Participatory Budgeting will provide a high level summary of activities, populations served, and impact of this PB funded project in the coming months.
LIST OF GRANTEES:
Heal The Hood
Provides community-based healing through art, education, and life skills training, fostering emotional wellness and personal growth.
Boston LesbiGay Urban Foundation
Delivers case management and workforce development programs with a focus on empowering the LGBTQIA community.
Promoting Conflict Resolution
Offers family reunification counseling, life skills education, and wraparound support services to strengthen family and community bonds.
Straight Ahead Ministries
Provides individualized case management, hands-on skills training, apprenticeship preparation, soft skills development, and financial literacy education to support successful reentry and employment.
BHA Charlestown Education
Delivers education, career and college preparation, housing stability assistance, and mental health support, while providing stipends to participants.
Haley House
Combines culinary and nutrition education with peer mentorship and case management to promote wellness, employment readiness, and community engagement.
Center for Teen Empowerment
Supports youth through mental health services, group mentoring, job readiness training, and career exploration programs that build confidence and leadership.
BoYouth Connect
Provides comprehensive mental health services to youth and their families, fostering resilience and emotional stability.
A Year and A Day Foundation
Offers literacy services, tutoring, GED preparation, workforce development, and soft skills training to promote academic and career success.
The Modern Mentor
Empowers girls through mentorship, group workshops, healing circles, and peer discussions focused on self-awareness and leadership development.
Building Brothers
Provides mentorship and personal development opportunities for young men, fostering accountability, confidence, and community responsibility.
Transformational Prison Project
Facilitates restorative justice circles, reentry planning, and mentorship to support healing, reconciliation, and successful reintegration after incarceration.
