Advocates say thousands of jobs are expected to get cut unless lawmakers restore funding for a program that supports employment for at-risk young people.
The current state budget includes $15.24 million for a line item (7002-0012) supporting a jobs program for at-risk youth. That funding is expected to provide 3,800 youth summer jobs this year, according to state officials. That’s down from 6,500 jobs funded by $23 million in fiscal 2025 ($16.24 million in legislative appropriations and the rest from unspent or unobligated funding from previous years and unspent ARPA funds).
Youth advocates are calling on senators to boost funding during next week’s budget debate. They are backing a Sen. Sal DiDomenico amendment that raises the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s allocation of almost $15.4 million to $20 million. This is enough to add back 1,150 jobs, said Lewis Finfer of the Youth Jobs Coalition and Massachusetts Action for Justice.
About $25 million is needed to fund the 6,000 jobs that advocates desire, but that ask didn’t seem “politically feasible” in a tight budget year, Finfer said. The House-approved fiscal 2027 budget funds the program at about $17.6 million. Gov. Maura Healey’s budget proposal matches the Senate’s at almost $15.4 million.
During a rally held in a packed hearing room at the State House, Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Marlborough backed the amendment, noting he represents a district where fewer families rely on youth jobs for additional income. Eldridge said he was motivated to support the funds after learning about the different challenges young people face in areas where they feel more pressured to get a job and support their family.
“It really moves me to advocate for these programs,” he said.
For Amani Henry – who migrated to the U.S. two years ago – job opportunities and support he’s received from the youth organization MissionSAFE are crucial to helping his mom back in Jamaica.
“This is my only way to help my family at the moment, and I know there are plenty of kids who need these types of programs for many other reasons,” Henry said.
ARPA funds have been exhausted and Healey launched other programs aimed at support youth workers, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said. This includes a program that provides $900,000 to six organizations for job training, placement and other services for 116 young adults with disabilities.
Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
