Public Hearing on on BCYF services in Allston-Brighton at Jackson Mann Community Center

Thank you to every resident and community member who attended last night’s hearing on BCYF services in Allston-Brighton. Your passion and personal stories made a profound impact on last night’s hearing.

We were moved by testimonies from over 50 community members, including youth from the West End House. The auditorium was packed and the message was clear: District 9 is falling short on youth services and community programming. In a city committed to youth empowerment, it’s unacceptable that Allston-Brighton still lacks a dedicated BCYF center. Allston-Brighton residents deserve equitable access to the same quality programs and safe spaces enjoyed by other neighborhoods. It’s time for to commit—clearly and concretely—with timelines and funding benchmarks to make a community center in Union Square a reality.

Special thanks to the youth from the Brazilian Worker Center and the West End House for being in attendance, all community organizations for rallying the neighborhood and to Rosie Hanlon from Jackson Mann for all she continues to do for Jackson Mann.

Thank you as well to Councilor Breadon for her leadership and to Representative Honan, Senator Brownsberger, and our panelists: Dion Irish, Director of Operations for the City of Boston; Marta Rivera, Commissioner of BCYF; and Brian Forde, Executive Director of Boston Public Schools.