Youth Leadership Initiative (InIt) program recognized nationally for striking results and innovation

Boston, MA — YWCA Boston is thrilled to announce it has been selected as one of eight high-impact organizations to partner with the social investment organization SCE in its national Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Challenge. For the next 18 months, the collaborative effort will explore and share best practices in exceptional SEL programs, including YW Boston’s Youth Leadership Initiative (InIt). As part of the collaboration, SCE is awarding YW Boston a grant of $100,000 to support the further development of SEL within the InIt program.

“Exchanging ideas with like-minded organizations and learning from each other’s transformative work is critical to expand the impact of InIt and all of YW Boston’s initiatives,” said Sylvia Ferrell-Jones, President and CEO. “We are honored to join with SCE, the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, and seven outstanding youth programs from around the nation to contribute to understanding of Social and Emotional Learning.”

InIt, YW Boston’s 10-month teen development program, fosters 21st century workplace skills and ignites a passion in high school students to create more socially just communities. The program builds students’ confidence, strengthens their ability to work across differences, and culminates in youth designing, implementing and engaging their peers in a community action project to address inequity in their school or neighborhood. Visit ywcaboston.org/InIt to learn more.

To learn more about the Social Emotional Learning Challenge and the organizations participating, please visit scechallenge.org.

About YW Boston
YW Boston, America’s first YWCA, is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The 148 year-old institution is increasing social, racial, and gender equity by working to improve access to better health, make neighborhoods safer for everyone, and close the educational achievement gap. For more information, check us out on the Web, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About SCE
SCE is a social investment organization that connects talent and innovation with market forces to drive social change. Our newly launched Social and Emotional Learning Program reimagines education as a broad and rich ecosystem for learning, anytime, anywhere. Learn more about the SCE story.