RYI works with inner city youth who are struggling with poverty, vitimization and violence.
RYI's mission is to help youth caught in cycles of poverty, violence and victimization to transition successfully into adulthood. Our three specialized programs positively impact the youth that we serve as well as the communities in which they live and include:
RYI’s Boston's District Offices (DO) Re-entry Services: in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) the RYI DO staff guide youth who are transitioning from DYS secure treatment facilities and residential placements back to their homes and communities. RYI staff utilizes a proven and positive youth development model that helps youth take charge of setting and achieving life goals and to use the resources they need to meet their goals. The five DO centers are located in Dorchester, Roxbury, Chelsea, and Hyde Park and serve up to 150 youth per year. The success of this program depends upon five critical components: individualized service planning, consistent staff mentor ship, use of community resources, positive programming, and intensive supervision and monitoring. The RYI DO staff help youth to understand the consequences of poor decision-making and to recognize the rewards of their positive actions.
Gaining Independence for Tomorrow (GIFT) Program addresses one of the most disturbing issues facing young people today; commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Since 2008, GIFT has served over 250 girls that had been victimized by or are deemed at high risk of becoming victims of CSEC. Most of these youth had been "pimped out" by adults and/or were arrested while being exploited. GIFT Program girls are between the ages of tewlve to twenty-two. Each youth is assigned a Life Coach who combines their professional skills with their often times first-hand knowledge of the neighborhoods, to provide the compassionate and intensive supports and referrals that the youth need throughout their recovery from CSEC. The GIFT Staff assist the girls in creating and maintaining stable living environments, positive peer and adult relationships, academic and vocational success, and meaningful community involvement. GIFT is funded by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and is located in the Codman Square Neighborhood of Dorchester, MA. We serve up to 50 girls per year.
Roxbury Dimock Street Lead Agency - RYI manages services for youth and families involved with the Department of Children and Families, (DCF). We work closely with DCF to facilitate and monitor supportive stabilization and placement services to 250 youth and their families per year.
Keywords: Youth Violence, Prevention, Intervention, Inner City Youth, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, CSEC,
Contact Roxbury Youthworks Inc.:
