Boston

Mental Health Services

The city of Boston is home to many support services for families seeking mental health resources. Select a topic below for resources and organizations relevant to the topic in the Boston area.

Youth Services

The city's schools, parks, and recreation department, and many nonprofit agencies work together to help families learn and grow.

For a wide range of out-of-school opportunities, visit BOSTONavigator, a collaboration of the City of Boston, BOSTnet, and Boston After School & Beyond to offer easy access to youth program information. Another resource for teens is Boston Youth Zone, which offers “activities, opportunities, and other fun stuff for kids and teens. By Boston teens, for Boston teens.”

These resources were drawn from the Boston Guide to Youth Services.

Volunteering

Shortcuts:   | Boston | Chelmsford, | Lincoln | Newton

Westcoast Connection began with the goal of using exciting, memorable travel to enlighten and inspire teenagers and to enhance their understanding of themselves along the way. With a simple philosophy of "EACH & EVERY" we could never have guessed how many thousands of teens would come to share in our spirited and tightly knit groups where everybody is included in an enriching program.

Provides each child with an adult male volunteer, screened by the agency, who serves as a companion and friend. Each Big Brother meets with his little brother to talk, play sports, contribute to the community, learn new skills or spend time together.

The mission of Earthwatch is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch offers a variety of family-together volunteer projects that make great hands-on learning experiences (includes several teen programs). Earthwatch's Teen Team Expeditions explore the world's most beautiful and endangered places. And these hands-on trips aren't only educational, but a way for teens to make a real difference and truly help the places they visit instead of just 'seeing' them as a passive bystander. The organization also offers all the tools, training, and experiences their volunteers need to make an impact.

Serves youth and adults through physical, educational, social, and spiritual activities; day and residential camps, volunteer and mentoring programs. Also summer camp, sports, youth basketball, teen nights, leaders club, youth fitness training.
In addition, the Central YMCA Teen Center is dedicated to positive youth development through varied programs and activities for thirteen through eighteen year olds year round.

Programs develop school-based self-esteem expression, self-growth, and community recognition; organize youth corps for community media projects; and form youth committees to participate in community-wide beautification projects.

Basketball, volleyball, youth strength training and fitness, summer day and residential camps, teen employment, job training and counseling, volunteer opportunities, teen health education, drop-in center. Bilingual staff in Chinese/English available for advocacy assistance.

The Paul Center is dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities in developing their maximum potential and independence. We accomplish this goal by providing services to the individual as well as to the family. The Board of Directors and staff of The Paul Center believe that through consistent quality programming we can and do provide an optimal educational and recreational experience needed by our students.We stress with our staff the importance of establishing and maintaining a "spirit of extended family" with our students. This spirit transcends all aspects of our programs and continues to be a significant factor in our success with our students.

At The Food Project, agriculture, enterprise and service combine to create a rigorous, practical and integrated experience. Through all of our youth programs, people of all ages bridge communities through farming and food and discover their interdependence with each other as well as with those who purchase and receive their produce. Youth learn that work on the land can be a powerful equalizer, teacher and catalyst for personal, local and global change. Opportunities include Summer Youth and Academic Year programs. Ages14-17.

A multi-service agency that strengthens individuals, families, and communities through educational, after-school, camp, early childhood programs, and support services to promote wellness and continuity of care for children and their families. It serves a diverse population in Newton and surrounding communities.

Select a different Youth Services category below.

Community Websites

• City of Boston
• Boston Public Schools
• Boston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC): 617-635-7810
• Adolescent Wellness Program (Boston Public Health Commission)
• Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)
• Boston Resource Net
• talklisten.org

Can't find what you need or need a referral to a mental health practitioner? Call 617-332-3666 x 411. For more information about the service and terms of confidentiality, please click here.