It’s time our city’s youth live outside of the box. Youth & Police in Partnership (YPP) had its end of the school year celebration, the “No Box Project,” highlighting the success of youth who participated in the program throughout the year.
This year, young people committed to virtual programming each week, hosting dialogues with law enforcement officials; engaging in development workshops such as financial literacy and educational and career planning; and learning digital storytelling skills.
Programming also allowed the opportunity for youth to participate in an oratory contest, challenging them to find their voice and enhance their public speaking skills by writing and presenting an essay during Black History Month on someone in history who inspires them most.
Youth & Police in Partnership also co-sponsored a four-part dialogue series with Northeastern University Institute on Race and Justice to discuss the complexities of building relationships within community policing.
The “No Box Project” was designed to allow youth the freedom to creatively express themselves – to ask the questions of law enforcement officials they want answered, to express what community, peace, safety, leadership, and justice mean to them, and to reflect on significant moments over the past year that impacted their lives. Each youth who completed this year’s YPP program also earned a Communications Badge through Boston Afterschool & Beyond.
Check out the YPP end-of-year celebration video below!