Youth Options Unlimited (YOU) Boston
Empowering young people from court-involved or at-risk backgrounds to succeed in the workforce, in the community, and in their lives.
YOU Boston offers young people ages 14-24 an opportunity to work and learn, along with intensive staff support. The support we provide includes case management, education support, subsidized employment, and job placement. This dual approach, of both challenge and encouragement, helps young people take actionable steps toward a better future.
Apply for a Youth Job!
The YOU Boston Youth Jobs program places young people ages 14-24 in paid, supervised opportunities with community-based organizations. Young people will:
- gain crucial early-life work experiences
- develop job readiness skills
- begin building their resumes, and
- experience the relationship between work and reward.
To be eligible you must:
- Be 14-24 years old
- Live in the City of Boston
UPDATE: The 2024 YOU Boston summer program is now full.
For other youth summer job opportunities with the City of Boston, please visit futureBOS.
YOU Boston Career Readiness Tiers
Career Readiness TiersPre-Placement
Level 1
A two-week, paid intensive job-readiness training. It focuses on key concepts such as decision-making, teamwork, communication, and personal responsibility. Young people have the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them, and correct their behavior. Participants work 6 paid hours per week.
Career Readiness Cohort
Level 2
A meaningful group work experience provided in collaboration with our partners. In a Career Cohort, a small group of young people learn about career pathways through community project-based learning with YOU Boston supervisors, instructors, and community partners. Participants work 12 - 20 paid hours per week.
Internship Placement
Level 3
A paid internship opportunity for young people to work onsite with a potential employer. These placements range from the private sector to municipal agencies and non-profit organizations. Participants work 25 paid hours per week.
Case Management
Case Management
Every young person at YOU Boston has the option of case manager support. Together, they meet one-on-one to establish an Individualized Service Plan (ISP). This plan focuses on achieving self-set goals. Young people meet regularly with their case managers to track goal progress. The ISP helps them to stay focused on their future and celebrate small successes along the way.