Data 4 Impact (D4I), a partnership among the PIC, BOA, the BPS, and BHCC, is focused on identifying student cohorts that are at high-risk of disengaging from school and using data to drive targeted interventions. D4I uses data dashboards as a continuous improvement tool for interventions designed to keep young people connected to school. The initiative is funded by the Aspen Institute for Community Solutions, with support from the Ballmer Group.

The BPS efforts, in partnership with the Office of Opportunity Youth, and Office of Data & Accountability, focus on chronic absenteeism, using Panorama, a new database that tracks chronic absentees and school-based interventions to improve attendance and inform policy. 

Building strong, durable partnerships through a shared vision and shared activities is at the core of our strategy to improve career outcomes. The OYC leverages major institutions like the Boston Public Schools and Bunker Hill Community College to help build their capacity to deliver career pathways at scale. Given the importance of a college credential in Boston, our current pathway work focuses on leveraging the existing college coaching initiative, Success Boston. In addition to Success Boston college navigation coaches, the OYC’s HOPE Forward coaches work with HOPE to provide coaching to opportunity youth and young men of color at BHCC. PIC career coaches provide career exploration, planning, and employment support.

Young Adult Career Center Services - In a pilot initiative, Jewish Vocational Services (JVS), with support from the PIC, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, and the BPS, is launching young adult career center services. The program, which will employ outreach workers as well as coaches, will bring young adults into the career center at JVS to access career coaching, employment connections, and job-training referrals. This new initiative will focus on (1) recent BPS graduates who are not in college, (2) Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth participants, (3) community college stop-outs, and (4) other 18-24-year-olds not enrolled in postsecondary education or training.

Throughout the history of our collaborative, we have completed multiple Youth Voice Projects focused on mental health and grounded in Healing Centered Organizing principles, including structural change, wellness, community building, youth leadership, and relevance.

During the pandemic, PIC career coaches launched a mental health peer leadership training led by a local BIPOC-owned therapy practice. Participants went on to advocate for youth mental health services, including through a City Councilor’s mental health advisory council. With support from Aspen’s Youth-Led Change Fund, OYC hired these young adults to continue the work and host a youth mental health conference.

OYC’s Youth Voice Leaders have also produced research reports on youth disconnection, career perspectives, and career pathway navigation.