Council Committee Hears Case to Codify Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement

Boston

The Boston City Council Committee on Government Operations heard testimony Oct. 27 on Docket 1434, an ordinance to codify the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA), with sponsors and youth advocates urging the council to enshrine the office in the city code to secure long-term access to jobs, mentorship and youth services.

"Were a full team of 11," Pedro Cruz, executive director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, told the committee as he reviewed the offices programs and staffing. Cruz said OYEA now includes seven full-time staff and year-long fellowships, a paid Mayors Youth Council and a portfolio of programs serving people ages 14 to 25.

The hearing drew broad support from council members and community partners. Councilor Henry Santana, the lead sponsor, said the ordinance responds directly to youth organizers and would "ensure that our youth will have long term access to these important resources." Councilors John Fitzgerald and Katie Flynn also praised the offices work during opening remarks.

Cruz and Chief of Human Services Jose Maso outlined how OYEA grew out of an administrative restructuring in 2022 that moved youth jobs programs into a different cabinet while retaining youth engagement functions at City Hall. Cruz described six…