Boston: Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement Announce 2025-26 Mayor's Youth Council Cohort

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~ Boston, MA - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) have officially welcomed the 31st cohort of the Mayor's Youth Council (MYC). The 20 high school students in this new council cohort were inaugurated during a swearing-in ceremony hosted by Mayor Wu.

The Mayor expressed her excitement for the MYC, stating that for over 30 years, the council has fostered a direct connection with young community leaders and shared ideas to make Boston a home for everyone. She also expressed her pride in collaborating with this group of changemakers on issues affecting Boston's youth.

The 2025-26 Council is made up of youth from nine schools and 12 neighborhoods. They were selected from a pool of 226 applicants based on their leadership skills, civic engagement, and commitment to their communities. The council year programming will span over 22 weeks and will be divided into multiple phases. The first phase will involve planning and hosting four town halls this winter to identify the top priorities of their peers. The second phase will focus on developing and implementing solutions to address these priorities.

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José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services, expressed his gratitude towards the young people who have stepped forward to serve on this year's MYC. He stated that the City benefits greatly from their input, guidance, and insight, and he believes that this Council will have a significant impact as they tackle citywide issues that affect youth and families.

Pedro Cruz, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, also shared his thoughts on the swearing-in ceremony. He stated that it serves as a powerful reminder that Boston's future is already stepping up to lead. Cruz praised the new council members for bringing fresh ideas, lived experience, and a deep love for their communities. He believes that their voices will help shape programs and initiatives that impact youth across every neighborhood in Boston. Cruz also expressed his pride in their commitment to service and to one another, stating that together, they are building a Boston where young people are not only heard but also centered in the work of government.

The MYC was first established in 1995 and has since empowered nearly 1,000 Boston high school students to grow as civic leaders, represent their peers in City government, and collaborate with City officials. Over the last three decades, MYC members have organized youth town halls and events, engaged in service projects, and created awareness campaigns to address challenges facing Boston's youth. Through their involvement with the council, members have developed leadership skills, a commitment to public service, and a better understanding of local government.

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One of the council members from the 12th grade and a second-time member of the MYC, Samuel Falke, shared his thoughts on the swearing-in ceremony. He stated that it reaffirmed his belief that he can make change in the City and that he represents other youth with the capacity to make change. Falke also expressed his excitement about using what he has learned from working with OYEA before to deepen his impact and work with newer members of the Council. He hopes to make contributions that will have a lasting impact even after he is no longer on the Council next year.

To learn more about the Mayor's Youth Council and follow along with their work this year, visit boston.gov/myc or follow @mycboston on Instagram. To stay informed about all initiatives from the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, visit boston.gov/oyea or follow @oyeaboston on Facebook and Instagram or @oyea.boston.gov on Bluesky.

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