1.  SONGS AND NARRATION BY ROXBURY YOUTHWORKS (RYI) YOUTH
 MURALS ON SLIDES #3 AND #21 BY RYI YOUTH

2. OUR HISTORY
Roxbury Youthworks Inc. wasRoxbury Youthworks Inc. was
founded by the Hon (ret.) Julianfounded by the Hon (ret.) Julian
T. Houston in 1981.T. Houston in 1981.
We are one of the oldestWe are one of the oldest
people-of-color-run, non-profitpeople-of-color-run, non-profit
organizations in the City oforganizations in the City of
Boston.Boston.
Founder of RYI and current President of the Board Julian T. Houston
with Co-founder Hubie Jones

3. Mural by RYI Youth
OUR HISTORY
RYI first began to help decrease re-incarceration among young men & women from Roxbury DistrictRYI first began to help decrease re-incarceration among young men & women from Roxbury District
Court.Court.
Today, we provide innovative, community-based support services to youth up to 22 years of age thatToday, we provide innovative, community-based support services to youth up to 22 years of age that
are involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.are involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.

4. RYI’s mission is to help youth that are caught in cycles of poverty, victimization, and violence, to
transition successfully into adulthood.
OUR MISSION

5. We struggle with substance use, physical and emotional neglect and abuse, hunger, poverty,We struggle with substance use, physical and emotional neglect and abuse, hunger, poverty,
and a school system that is failing us.and a school system that is failing us.
We are youth between the ages of 13 to 22 who have had to grow up way too fast. We are allWe are youth between the ages of 13 to 22 who have had to grow up way too fast. We are all
unique and yet we have our own struggles in common.unique and yet we have our own struggles in common.
OUR YOUTH

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Our neighborhoods & streets, the places we all call home, and cannot imagine living without,Our neighborhoods & streets, the places we all call home, and cannot imagine living without,
are rich with culture, history, family, and friends.are rich with culture, history, family, and friends.
But they are also filled with violence. A desperate kind of violence that stems from feelingBut they are also filled with violence. A desperate kind of violence that stems from feeling
trapped by the cruel poverty that surrounds us.trapped by the cruel poverty that surrounds us.
OUR YOUTH
From infancy many of us witnessed & sufferedFrom infancy many of us witnessed & suffered
tragedies that no child should ever have to experience.tragedies that no child should ever have to experience.
We could have been a statistic, part of the voiceless,We could have been a statistic, part of the voiceless,
the dead, the forgotten, if we hadn’t found hope andthe dead, the forgotten, if we hadn’t found hope and
the road to a better life at Roxbury Youthworks.the road to a better life at Roxbury Youthworks.

7. RACIAL & GENDER COMPOSITION
OF OUR YOUTH

8. We also Provide Services to YouthWe also Provide Services to Youth
in Chelsea and East Boston, MAin Chelsea and East Boston, MA
WHERE OUR YOUTH LIVE

9. THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR YOUTH
Income:Income:
Boston’s income inequality has a strong racial/ethnic component. More than one third of families of
color had annual incomes of less than $25,000—while almost half of Boston’s white families had
annual incomes of $100,000 or more.
(Source: A measure of Poverty:
A Boston Indicators Project Special Report, 2011, pg. 4)
With 42% of its children in poverty,
the Roxbury /Dorchester/Mattapan area represents
Massachusetts’ largest concentration of child poverty.
(Source: A measure of Poverty:
A Boston Indicators Project Special Report, 2011, pg. 4)

In the Roxbury/Dorchester/Mattapan corridor,
85% of families are headed by a single parent,
mainly mothers, & at least 20% of the adults
have no high school diploma.
(Source: Poverty’s Grip Tightens in Boston, Study Says;
Boston Globe, November 9, 2011)
t

10. Crime:Crime:
Though only about a quarter of Boston’s population is Black, Blacks accounted for over
half of all arrests made in 2008.
(Source: 2008 Crime Summary Report, Boston Police Department, pg. 64, & New
Bostonians Demographic Report, The Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians)
Over 50% of all arrests for violent crimes
in Boston in 2008 were in the
Roxbury/Mattapan/Dorchester neighborhoods.
(Source: 2008 Crime Summary Report; Boston Police Department, pg. 50)

In 2010, over 50% of aggravated assaults
& over 75% of homicides in Boston took place
in the Roxbury/Mattapan/Dorchester districts.
(Source: Part One Crime Reported by the Boston Police Department by Offense
& by District/Area, Boston Police Department, 2012)
THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR YOUTH

11. Education:Education:
20.7% of the BPS class of ‘09 dropped out; that is one in five students.
In 2009-2010, Roxbury had the highest annual dropout rate among Boston neighborhoods.
(Source: Boston Public Schools 2009-2010: Student Dropout Rates)
On the 2007 Massachusetts comprehensive exam, 80 % of white BPS 8th grade students were
proficient or advanced in reading, compared with only 48% of African American or Hispanic students.
In math, 52% of white students were considered proficient or advanced, compared with 20% of
Hispanic students & only 14% of African Americans.
(Source: Council of the Great City Schools: "Beating the Odds: Analysis of Student Performance & Achievement Gaps" Boston results, 2007)
THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR YOUTH

12. Lead poisoning is concentrated in the Boston neighborhoods that are predominantly
communities of color: Dorchester, Mattapan, & Roxbury.
In Boston, asthma is more common among people of color. Boston’s Black & Latino children
are hospitalized for asthma at higher rates than White or Asian children.
(Source: Mayor's Task Force Blueprint: A plan to eliminate racial & ethnic disparities in health; Boston Public Health Commission, 2005)
THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR YOUTH

13. We operate 8 sites & a total of three programs across Metro
Boston in Roxbury, Dorchester, Hyde Park, & Chelsea.
Our 38 member staff is made up of multi-cultural & bi-lingual
individuals most of whom reside in the same communities we
operate & where our youth live.
RYI is led by Executive Director Mia Alvarado
RYI receives strategic, fiscal & executive oversight from its
volunteer multi-cultural 13 member Board of Directors.
Mia Alvarado – RYI ED
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & GOVERNANCE

14. OUR BUDGET
Our Current Annual Operating Budget is $2.6 Million.Our Current Annual Operating Budget is $2.6 Million.
The majority of our funding - 89% - comes from TheThe majority of our funding - 89% - comes from The
Department of Youth Services for our District Office Programs &Department of Youth Services for our District Office Programs &
the Department of Children & Families for our GIFT & thethe Department of Children & Families for our GIFT & the
Dimock Street Lead Agency Programs.Dimock Street Lead Agency Programs.

15. OUR PROGRAMS
Our staff members work within aOur staff members work within a positive youthpositive youth
development frameworkdevelopment framework & utilize their knowledge& utilize their knowledge
of, & relationships with community resources, toof, & relationships with community resources, to
access what is needed for each youth & their family.access what is needed for each youth & their family.
We run three distinct programsWe run three distinct programs
that include:that include:

16. Our Staff in our seven District Offices (DOs) guide youth who transition from the Department ofOur Staff in our seven District Offices (DOs) guide youth who transition from the Department of
Youth Service (DYS) secure treatment facilities & residential placements back to their homes &Youth Service (DYS) secure treatment facilities & residential placements back to their homes &
communities. The DOs support youth with setting positive life goals, helping them to understandcommunities. The DOs support youth with setting positive life goals, helping them to understand
the consequences of poor decision making & to recognize the rewards of positive actions.the consequences of poor decision making & to recognize the rewards of positive actions.
Each year we serve up to 150 youth through our DO Programs.Each year we serve up to 150 youth through our DO Programs.
DISTRICT OFFICES (DOS)

17. BIG CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
The Department of Youth Services’ most recent statewide report compared youth detention
rates between 2003 & 2008 & found that in the Metro Boston region, the number of incarcerated
youth decreased dramatically from 387 in 2003 to 130 in 2008. DYS attributed this decrease in
youth recidivism to the work of community partner agencies such as RYI.

18. Since 2008, GIFT has addressed one of the most disturbing issues facing young people today:Since 2008, GIFT has addressed one of the most disturbing issues facing young people today:
The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).
RYI Life Coaches provide round the clock, intensiveRYI Life Coaches provide round the clock, intensive supports to our GIFT girls throughout theirsupports to our GIFT girls throughout their
recoveryrecovery from commercial sexual exploitation, including thefrom commercial sexual exploitation, including the guidance and resources that the girlsguidance and resources that the girls
need to achieveneed to achieve their goals.their goals.
In the past 4 years, GIFT has served 150 youth that have been victims of CSEC. Most of these YouthIn the past 4 years, GIFT has served 150 youth that have been victims of CSEC. Most of these Youth
have been "pimped out" by numerous adults &/or arrested for their acts.have been "pimped out" by numerous adults &/or arrested for their acts.
THE GIFT PROGRAM
(GAINING INDEPENDENCE FOR TOMORROW)

19. Facts About the Commercial
Sexual Exploitation of Children

20. GOVERNOR PATRICK SIGNS ANTI-HUMAN
TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION
Drastically increasing punishment for offenders
and protection for victims
Big Cause for Celebration
RYI is a founding member of the Suffolk County DA’s Support to End Exploitation NOW (SEEN)
Coalition.
On November 22, 2011, as a result of SEEN’s work, Governor Patrick signed Massachusetts’ new
human trafficking legislation which defines child sexual exploitation as trafficking of a person
under 18 for sexual servitude, punishable by five years to life imprisonment. The legislation also
establishes a civil remedy for victims to sue perpetrators — for rape, torture, & terror.
Our GIFT Program girls took part in this effort
by testifying at the MA State House about their
victimization through commercial sexual
exploitation.

21. What Makes Us Unique?
We have remained innovative & have implemented programming in
response to the changing needs of our youth.
The most recent of these include:
Thinking for A Change
Our DYS Youth who participate in, and complete the 25
module, Thinking for A Change violence prevention
curriculum receive a stipend for every hour that they
spend in class and on homework and also full funding
for driver education classes.

22. 22
What Makes Us Unique?
Parent Time Group
A weekly support group for parents of DYS Involved youth. The goals of Parent Time
include:
¨ To support parents as they navigate the DYS system.
¨ To provide a save place for parents to express their feelings and relieve stress.
¨ To provide parents with the opportunity to meet other parents facing similar issues.
¨ To help parents gain a little more insight into their children’s behavior.

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What Makes Us Unique?
The Civic Action Corps Initiative
Through a grant from the
Department of Labor, RYI and
three Roxbury based non profit
organizations collaborate to
provide; educational
assistance, life coaching, health
services, skills training in the
building trades, and a stipend
to young people who have been
involved with the Juvenile
justice system.

24. 24
What Makes Us Unique?
Many of our staff live in the same neighborhoods as our youth. This proximity allows them
to have first hand knowledge of the obstacles that our youth face on a daily basis.
Our staff know how to access quality community services for our youth & also know how to
navigate the complex social services system from a professional and a personal vantage point.

25. 25
What Makes Us Unique?
We construct & keep a safety-net of community supports around our youth.
We work with law enforcement, child-serving public agencies & other non-profits to end the
commercial sexual exploitation of children through public awareness campaigns & legislative
action.

26. Why Roxbury Youthworks Inc., Needs Your
Support
Boston cannot afford to lose another generation of inner city youth to incarceration,
drug use, early death, child commercial sexual exploitation and violence. The
economic, human and creative losses are much too costly to ignore.
Mural By RYI Youth

27. 27
Our Boston Youth are fighting a daunting economic and racial battle that
causes them to live in conditions that mirror those of developing third world
countries.
It will be difficult for them to win this battle without your help. The financial
and moral support of individuals like you, will provide our Boston Youth the
opportunity to break out of the cycles of violence, poverty and victimization
and into happy successful futures.
Why Roxbury Youthworks Inc., Needs Your
Support