Youth Development Network
The Youth Development Network (YDN) partners with three Boston public high schools to reduce chronic absenteeism among students.
The Youth Development Network (YDN) partners with three Boston public high schools to reduce chronic absenteeism among students. Our services are completely voluntary for students and families. With current staffing, YDN serves 200-300 students a year.
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Have questions or want to connect?
Contact Daysa Satana, Program Director -
1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
Our Mission
The Youth Development Network, a program of the Boston Public Health Commission believes that all youth can achieve their fullest potential with the support of caring adults. YDN is founded on the research that places education as a social determinate of health and other quality life issues, especially in marginalized communities. YDN's goal is to reconnect chronically absent youth to their learning and to a network of support. We value each youth for their strengths, identities, families, cultures, and communities as we help them find success as their authentic selves.
Our schools
| Name of School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Jeremiah Burke High School | Monalisa DePina | Youth Development Specialist mdgepina@bphc.org Melissa Beltran | Youth Development Specialist mbeltran@bphc.org |
| Madison Park Technical Vocational High School | Tracy Lungelow | Youth Development Specialist tlungelow@bphc.org Dereck Stone | Youth Development Specialist dstone@bphc.org |
| Brighton High School | No Youth Development Specialist at this time |
Referral Form
Refer a student from one of our participating schools to the YDN Program
Academic year programming
“I was referred to YDN program because of my frequent absences and tardiness. YDN program has helped me in many ways, from home visits to meetings after school. It also helped with my grades and kept me in school, YDN program has helped me become more social and interactive with others. I recommend this program to anyone who is struggling because it won’t just improve your grades and academics but get you ready for real-world and social skills.”
- Jeremiah E. Burke, High School Student
Organize:
Support school structure around attendance.
Identify:
Develop a system of identifying issues with student attendance.
Outreach:
Meet with parents at home, school or other location.
Assess:
What are the obstacles to attending school?
Case management:
What are the resources needed to overcome obstacles?
Mentor:
Guide and support each student towards success.
Summer programming
Join our Summer Program this summer! Learn more here.
Our summer program is a partnership between YDN, BPS and the Division of Youth Engagement & Employment, Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF).
YDN staff created this program to address tension between the academic and financial needs of students. This is the only summer youth employment program designed for students who have summer school obligations. YDN staff provide workshops and professional guest speakers.
These include:
| Attendence | Financial Literacy |
| Communication Skills | Legal Rights |
| Conflict Resolution | Responsible Social Media |
| Healthy Relationships | Job Readiness |
| Sexual Health | Higher Education |
| Wellness | Successful Study Habits |
| Substance Abuse | Civic Engagement |
Related resources
Related resources
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Have questions or want to connect?
Contact Daysa Satana, Program Director -
1010 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
