The Jonathan Brodie Teen Center

The Teen Center serves as a welcoming place for teens to socialize, use the internet/computers, do their homework, participate in workshops, movie and game nights or join the youth council. There are different activities taking place on a daily basis (please refer to the RTH Youth Calendar for more details).

The Teen Center is open Monday – Friday, 1:30pm-7:00pm, and is located on the 2nd floor on the Parks Community Building, 2 New Whitney Street. The Teen Center is open to youth between the ages of 12 to 18 years old or between the grades 6th to 12th. Continuing services are also offered to young adults between the ages of 19 to 22.

Tutoring - The Teen Center has tutoring available, please contact the youth development coordinator to request a tutor. Youth are encouraged to come to the Teen Center and get help with their homework, projects, or even if they just need to print out assignments. Together we can improve your academic skills.

Services

The Youth Department is now offering the following services: These services are ideal for Juniors in high school to Seniors in college.

1. High School Graduation Coaching
2. College Admission Assistance
3. Financial Aid Assistance
4. Scholarship Research Assistance
5. Job & Career Coaching
6. Job Search Assistance
7. Job Hunting Strategies
8. Resume Preparation
9. Cover Letter Writing
10. Mock Interviewing

 Employment Workshops

This year there will be three job readiness workshops coordinated by the Youth Department.

An eight week job readiness program facilitated by Diamond Educators for males that are Juniors and Seniors in high school. The program will offer mentoring, creating resumes, cover letters, internships with a paid stipend and a life plan to follow. Beginning on January 9^th, 2012.

An eight week job readiness program facilitated by ABCD Parker Hill/Fenway for females that are Juniors and Seniors in high school. The program will cover resumes, cover letters, job searching and interviewing skills. Participants will be eligible to receive a stipend upon completion. Beginning on January 31^st, 2012.

A five week program hosted by RTH and facilitated by a member of the Brigham and Women’s staff. Topics include proper dress, interview skills, resume writing, Internet search, job searching and attitude in the workplace. Participants in this program have a chance of landing a summer job at Brigham and Women’s hospital, as well as getting a new suit/dress courtesy of RTH.

Paid Internships

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Summer Employment – BWH offers RTH five slots for summer jobs at the Hospital. Applications are available in March. Brigham and Women’s seeks high school Juniors and Seniors to fill these positions. Applicants will be interviewed by BWH staff and will receive training throughout their experience. Some of our youth have been able to continue working throughout the school year.

RTH Youth Internship Program- The Youth Department is developing summer internship opportunities in the retail industry to begin in July for seven weeks. Eligible participants must complete one of the three job readiness programs offered through the Youth Department.

ABCD Summer Works – Summer jobs are available for teens and young adults 14-21 years old. Applications are available in the beginning of spring at both the Youth Department at 2 New Whitney St. and Resident Services at 25 Mission Park Drive. Possible RTH job opportunities include: Human Services, Maintenance, Landscaping, Administrative/Office Assistance, and Technology Assistance.

Youth Building Community Summer Program – Youth Building Community is a summer program designed to serve young teens between the ages of 12 and 14 years. The program targets youth that are too young to work but are looking to have a positive, productive, and fun summer experience while gaining valuable skills to prepare them for the workforce. The program runs for seven weeks, Monday – Thursday from 9am – 3pm. The program will focus on career development, job readiness and volunteering.

Each participant will be eligible to earn a $20 stipend every week for his or her participation in the summer program. Stipends will be earned based on attendance and performance in the program. Participants will be required to fill out a time sheet and participate on the day they are scheduled to volunteer in order to receive their weekly earnings.

Educational Workshops

1.       College Admission Workshops

2.       Financial Aid Workshops

Life Skills Workshop Series

Junior Achievement - The Youth Department is offering a series of life skill workshops through Junior Achievement. Youth will be paid a stipend for participating. The topics will range from Economics for Success, Success Skills, and Careers with a Purpose. The workshop series are geared toward middle and high school students.

 Gender Groups

 Girls Group – Our girls group focuses on various teen related topics. The group will be organized by the Youth Department. The program runs for six weeks, and will be ongoing throughout the year. The program is open to girls ages 12-14. Please contact the Youth Department about the start of the next group.

 Girl Talk - We are collaborating with Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center running a highly successful program called Girl Talk. Girls 12-15 years old gain knowledge about sexual health and other related topics. This program runs for 12 weeks.

 Boys Group- Our boys group focuses on various teen related topics. The group will be organized by the Youth Department. The program runs for six weeks, and will be ongoing throughout the year. The program is open to boys 12 -14. Please contact the Youth Department about the start of the next group.

Group Activities

Museum of Fine Arts - The Youth Department is collaborating with the Museum of Fine Arts to create an arts curriculum around professional careers devoted to the arts.

 Museum of Science - The Youth Department will bring the Museum of Sciences Traveling program to Mission Park for presentations and workshops using the wonders science.

 Recreational Activities

Our Future Stars Basketball League – is an RTH neighborhood summer basketball league. We play every Monday and Wednesday in the full basketball court. Every teen in the Neighborhood is eligible to play. Registration begins in April.

Judge Baker Gym- Every Tuesday evening from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Trips

Skiing with the Teen Department – If you are a teen interested in skiing, come the Youth Department at 2 New Whitney Street to get more information. We take two ski trips a year. One with the YES program which is located on Massachusetts Avenue. The other trip is hosted by City Council President Mike Ross. We would love to have you come out and have a good time on the slopes with the Youth Department.

Call the Youth Department at 617-232-0400, for more information.