Council approves roughly $1.3 million in workforce and youth employment grants

The Boston City Council approved a set of grants Monday intended to support youth employment, workforce training and hiring platforms. Clerk read a mayoral message authorizing acceptance of $1,045,187.20 in YouthWorks funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, to be administered by the Office of Youth Employment; the docket was referred to the committee on labor, workforce and economic development. The council also approved acceptance of a $150,000 grant from Children’s Hospital to the mayor’s office of human services to fund a citywide youth activation summit and related activities. Separately, the committee on labor, workforce and economic development reported out six workforce development grants totaling roughly $452,919.14. Chair Councilor Weber said the grants fund job training and employment pathways through partnerships with nonprofits and philanthropic groups and that the programs help “thousands of Bostonians.” The committee recommended passage and the council adopted the committee reports by voice vote. Councilors who spoke in support highlighted the city’s partnerships with nonprofit career centers and the importance of including people with disabilities and students in summer and year‑round job programs.