Youth Venture Program

United Way recognizes that youth need civic engagement as a critical part of healthy social-emotional development. Civic involvement during adolescence is an important start to becoming an active and engaged adult member of the community.

How it Works

United Way’s Youth Venture Program inspires and invests in teams of young people, ages 12-18, to start social projects that create positive, lasting change in their communities. Youth participate in a “Dream It. Do It.” training workshop where they work in teams to develop ideas and learn how to write business plans. Teams then present their plans to a selection panel and the strongest proposals are provided seed funding up to $1,000, guidance, tools, and support from adult allies to successfully implement their ventures.

Positive Results

Whether a team decides to clean up a local park or establish a program at a local senior citizens center, they can make a difference. As a result of the program, team members:

  • Establish a strong sense of volunteerism
  • Feel more confident in their general abilities
  • Have a greater interest in entrepreneurship
  • Believe that they have the power to shape their own lives and communities

Through civic engagement, youth become engaged in part of a global movement to initiate positive, life-transforming change.

Meet This Year's Teams

 Check out how this year's groups of kids plan to positively impact their communities!

Asian American Civic Association:

Idea: Capitalize on the popularity of lucky bamboo and the Chinese New Year holiday to promote environmental awareness.

Venture Project: Make the Chinatown neighborhood a "more green community" by selling lucky bamboo to friends, family, and the larger community, to raise money to purchase potted plants and trees.

 

Bird Street Community Center:

Idea: Support kids and steer them towards success, amidst a plethora of negative influences.

Venture Project: After-school program for middle schools that teaches them about making the right choices to succeed in school and in life.

 

Boys and Girls Club of Middlesex County:

Idea: Spread the word about young people who are trying to make Somerville a better place

Venture Project: "Caught In the Act" photography project that captures acts of kindness on film and prints them on postcards to circulate throughout the larger community.

 

Dudley Square Neighborhood Initiative:

Idea: Share the youth perspective on current events and issues, and get their voices heard.

Venture Project: Youth-led radio station specifically for youth from their neighborhood.

 

Episcopal Boston Chinese Ministry:

Idea: Bridge the gap between elders and youth

Venture Project: Visit elderly homes every month, bring gifts and food to share, shovel snow and do yard work (for free for elderly residents and for a small fee for other Quincy residents)

 

Episcopal Boston Chinese Ministry:

Idea: Help new immigrant youth entering high school.

Venture Project: Chinese-language newspaper aimed at youth to help them get familiar with school, the city of Quincy, and learn a little English at the same time.

 

Sociedad Latina:

Idea: Raise awareness about youth issues in their community

Venture Project: Music videos for youth musicians at Sociedad Latina

Volunteer to oversee one of the projects!