Youth Opportunities

44 Front Street, Suite 520, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-1400, Fax: (508) 799-1460
Email: development@worcesterma.gov
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

At the conclusion of multiple youth initiatives and extensive community assessments, the single most important issue identified by young people in the City of Worcester was the need for jobs.

Research has shown that youth employment, especially for at risk youth, provide a number of benefits and opportunities. Jobs provide young people with an easier transition to adulthood, independence, increased wealth, pride and encourage self reliance. Jobs for youth also promote social integration, intergenerational dialogue, citizenship and solidarity. Finally, meaningful youth employment inspires young people towards positive goals and keep youth off the streets all the while exposing them to various career options.

Furthermore, the consequence of youth unemployment often negatively impacts an individual's social development leading to reduced self esteem and discouragement. Long-term effects of youth unemployment can lead to repeat periods of unemployment and diminished levels of wealth as adults. Unemployment for youth can also lead to crime and generational poverty all of which have negative effects on a community's economic development.

City Manager Michael V. O'Brien recognized the urgency to address the needs of low to moderate income, at-risk youth, especially those ages 14 to 21 and provided opportunities for meaningful work experiences.

In 2007 St. Vincent Hospital made a generous donation to the City of Worcester to be used for opportunities for local youth. The City Manager dedicated these funds to establish a Youth Opportunities Office located within the City's Executive Office of Economic, Neighborhood & Workforce Development, with a clear focus on job creation and program coordination.

The Youth Opportunities Office is guided by the City Manager's Advisory Committee on Youth, which is comprised of education, health local business leaders and social service agencies, and is chaired by the President and CEO of UMass Memorial Medical Health Care.