Tags: boston

Devon and Ramón express how they got a second chance at their education through the Facilities Maintenance Program offered through the Boston Private Industry Council. This story was produced in a workshop offered to grantees of Commonwealth Corporation's B.E.S.T. initiative for older youth.

Sidmarie created this piece as part of her TeachBoston internship in the summer of 2006. In it, she talks about how seeing injustice in the schools fueled her passion for becoming a teacher. TeachBoston works with Boston youth to support them in becoming educators in the Boston Public Schools.

Jeff provides a compelling look at why youth and adults ignore the problem of domestic violence and teen dating violence. He, along with a group of youth, created these stories in the winter of 2006 and have screened them as part of Close to Home's ongoing community organizing work with local youth and families. To learn more, visit Close to Home's website.

A story about a personal incident of "drama" that almost led to violence that spurned Ada to change the way she approaches life, especially avoiding "obstacles that contain a negative impact."

This is my story about my transition from a suburban neighborhood to the streets of urban Boston. As an Asian American growing up with typical Asian parents, I had many expectations and obligations. To my surprise, my life was turned upside down once I entered the spontaneous lifestyle of Boston's Chinatown. I had become a true city boy with no regrets.

Barbara wrote this story about her progression as a mother and community leader in her housing development, Villa Victoria in the South End of Boston. She started the workshop as the host with great hesitation about actually having a story about herself. Her modesty about her standing within the Villa Victoria community was challenged by her fellow IBA co-workers.