Become a Youth Ambassador.
Make a Difference in Your Community.

The Youth Ambassadors Program is a free, welcoming program for Boston teens ages 12-18 who want to build leadership skills, meet new people, and make an impact - with no long-term commitment required.
Sign Up for Youth Ambassadors

Questions?
Email youth@sbchc.org

Since 2004, South Boston Community Health Center's Youth Ambassadors Program has supported teens as leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their communities. Youth Ambassadors meet weekly to explore topics that matter, work on community projects, and build real-world skills - all in a supportive, adult-supervised environment. Teens are welcome to join at any time and attend meetings as their schedule allows.

Why Teens Join Youth Ambassadors

  • Build leadership and communication skills

  • Make new friends from across Boston

  • Work on real community projects

  • Explore topics like health, wellness, and social issues

  • Gain experience that looks great on resumes and applications

  • Receive recognition for participation and documented volunteer hours

"To learn new life skills" - Current YA Member, Age 13
"To learn new stuff, also for the food and gift card." - Current YA Member, Age 13
"To learn about community and to get to know more people." - Current YA Member, Age 14

Why Teens Join Youth Ambassadors

The Youth Ambassadors Program is built on a nationally recognized youth development approach that focuses on strengths, connection, and growth. Each meeting is designed around three core areas:

1. Leadership Development

Teens build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork through discussions, activities, and leadership workshops.

2. Health & Wellness Education

Youth explore age-appropriate health and wellness topics, learn prevention strategies, and develop skills to support themselves and their peers.

3. Service to the Community

Youth Ambassadors give back through service projects, neighborhood initiatives, and community engagement throughout Boston. Together, these areas help teens grow as leaders while staying connected to their community.

Ready to learn more?

Fill out the sign-up form and our team will follow up within 48 hours.

Sign Up for Youth Ambassadors

Program Details

Who:

Boston residents ages 12-18 (all communities welcome)

When:

Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00 PM
Youth can join at any time - no long-term commitment required

Where:

South Boston Community Health Center
409 W Broadway, South Boston
Community Room, Third Floor

Cost:

Free (meal provided)

Topics may include:

  • Leadership and communication skills

  • Community issues that matter to teens

  • Health and wellness education

  • Art, service, and neighborhood projects

  • Peer discussion and teamwork

What Happens After You Sign Up

The sign-up form collects a few basic details so our team can connect with you.

Once you submit the form, the Youth Ambassadors Program Director will reach out within 48 hours to welcome you and share next steps. This is not an interview or application - just a simple way to collect information and get you connected.

FAQs

Do I have to commit for the whole year?

Do I need experience or leadership skills to join?

Is this an application or interview?

What happens after I sign up?

Is this program supervised?

Is there a cost to participate?

Do parents need to do anything?

Is this program only for South Boston youth?

Do teens get paid to participate?

What Teens Do in the Program

During meetings, Youth Ambassadors:

  • Take part in interactive discussions and activities

  • Explore topics that affect teens and their communities

  • Learn leadership and communication skills

  • Work on community service and neighborhood projects

  • Build friendships and support networks

With guidance and support from SBCHC staff, teens are encouraged to share what they learn with peers and become positive influences in their communities.

Recognition for Participation

Youth Ambassadors who attend meetings receive a small gift card for each session as a way to recognize their time, effort, and commitment to the program. Participation is always about learning, leadership, and community, the gift card is simply a thank-you for showing up and being engaged.

What Parents Should Know

  • Free program run by South Boston Community Health Center

  • Adult-supervised, structured weekly meetings

  • Focus on positive youth development and community engagement

  • Open to youth from all Boston neighborhoods

  • Parent/guardian consent required prior to participation

Parent Consent Form (English)
Parent Consent Form (Spanish)
"Youth Ambassadors has had a really positive impact on my child. In the last 2 years I've seen her gain confidence, communication skills, and she feels supported, which helped her grow both socially and emotionally. Programs like Youth Ambassadors are very important because it gets the kids involved in their community and also it gives kids a safe place to feel heard, supported, and encourages kids to grow into strong, respectful leaders. I believe every child can benefit from Youth Ambassadors.  My child loves Youth Ambassadors."

- Hilary parent of Youth Ambassador

What We're Working On This Spring

Each week, Youth Ambassadors explore a new topic through discussion, hands-on activities, and community-based projects. Topics are planned in advance to give teens and parents visibility into what meetings will cover.

Youth Ambassadors follow a weekly schedule of topics focused on leadership, wellness, and community engagement. Teens are welcome to join at any time, each session stands on its own.

03/31

Art and Mental Health: Explore how various art modalities can be tools to aid emotional expression, process complex emotions, and develop one's sense of self.

04/07

Nutrition and Cooking 101 with Boston Public Health Commission: Learn about healthy food practices and participate in a cooking workshop.

04/14

Nutrition and Cooking 101 with Boston Public Health Commission: Learn about healthy food practices and participate in a cooking workshop.

04/21

No Meeting, BPS School Break

04/28

Connect with Boston Harbor Now: Explore public spaces and provide feedback on the Moakley Park reconstruction project. (Tentative)

05/05

Rock-Spot Climbing: Challenge yourself to explore a new hobby and develop team-building skills at a local South Boston business.

05/12

Career Panel: Meet with South Boston residents and YA alumni to learn about their career paths and explore fields of interest. (Tentative)