Mayor Walsh and U.S. Secretary Julian Castro host Youth Enrichment Day

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and the City's Office of Health and Human Services, hosted the the City's 2nd Annual Youth Enrichment Day on Friday, August 14. The event included enrichment workshops throughout the day for over 3,000 SuccessLink youth employees through the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program. The event was held at Northeastern University, and featured awards sponsored by Primark and an appearance by founding member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, Michael Bivins, and his group Beano Boyz.

"This event marks a celebration of our Boston youth," said Mayor Walsh. "Their opinions, hopes and dreams are shaping the future of our City. Youth Enrichment Day is meant to provide an environment where we can grow professionally and come together as a community. I extend my gratitude to Secretary Castro and Primark for their continued support and investing in Boston's youngest residents."

"Our nation's most basic duty is to ensure that every child has the chance to fulfill his or her potential," said Secretary Castro. "Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston are doing powerful work to ensure that young people have the opportunity to reach their dreams with the support of a strong community that believes in them."

Throughout the day, Boston youth participated in professional and personal development workshops led by over 50 youth serving organizations. Secretary Castro led a career exploration session of 30 young people, focusing on the importance of civic engagement, peer mentorship and strong work ethic. Two SuccessLink employees, Porsha McConnell of Dorchester and Christopher Albino of Roslindale, served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event. 

Alongside Mayor Walsh and Secretary Castro, the City's Chief of Health and Human Services Felix Arroyo, Chief of Economic Development John Barros, both of whom serve as Co-Chairs of My Brother's Keeper Boston, Vice President of City and Community Affairs at Northeastern University John Tobin and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans all participated in the event.

During the event, Mayor Walsh also announced this year's honorees for the 2015 Image Awards, which celebrates young people who are exceeding expectations in their workplace. The Mayor's Youth Council identified the winners for the award: Lamont Jones and Ileina Pizarro of Mission Hill, Cynthia Goncalves and Tuyet Pham of Dorchester, Tyquan Ruffen of Roxbury and Janiel Pierre of Hyde Park.

Mayor Walsh has made youth summer employment a priority for his Administration, helping to place approximately 10,000 Boston youth in meaningful summer employment. In the FY16 budget, Mayor Walsh allocated nearly $4.5 million to fund youth jobs through the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment and announced in June an additional $270,000 in funding to create 200 more jobs for youth this summer. In addition to the City's SuccessLink program, several partnering organizations help the City to hire youth through the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program.

For photos of the event, visit: www.flickr.com/photos/bosmayorsoffice/.