MGH Youth Programs

About This Program

Research shows that educational attainment is highly correlated with economic status and is the largest predictor of health status. Our youth programs provide more than 1,000 young people each year with academic, life and career skills that expand and enhance their educational and career pathways. They also lead to long-term benefits that support the Center’s mission of building and sustaining healthier communities in many ways:

• Jobs in science and engineering continue to grow (Bureau of Labor and Statistics), and it is essential to develop a diverse workforce with the knowledge and skills to compete globally
• A high correlation exists between economic and health status, and a higher economic status results in improved health status
• Students of color need to be exposed to "scientists of any color, STEM role models, teachers with STEM background, visits to STEM labs, science fairs, and after-school programs all help students catch the excitement of science" (Science Career Magazine)

[Mass General Youth Programs] provided me with the full spectrum of support because they knew exactly what a first-generation college student would need, and I could check in with them at any time to get help navigating every aspect of my college experience, I continue to call on them, and I am forever grateful for their mentorship.

Jocelyn Perez
2012 MGH Bicentennial College Scholar Alumni | Project Coordinator, Population Health, Mass General Brigham

Elementary and Middle School STEM Clubs

In grades 3 to 5, STEM Clubs aim to develop excitement and engagement in STEM subjects, and Senior STEM Clubs for grades 6 to 8 continue the engagement with hand-on science and greater exposure to technology. The Science Fair Mentoring Program pairs Mass General mentors with students in grades 7 to 8 from the James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury to work collaboratively on science fair projects from concept to completion.

MGH Youth Scholars

The MGH Youth Scholars Program supports students in grades 9 through 12 by promoting educational attainment for students in Boston, Chelsea and Revere. The program works to increase students’ interest in science and healthcare, spark college aspirations and preparedness, and aims to support Scholars to succeed academically in high school, graduate from college, and enter the workforce with a strong sense of academic fortitude and confidence.

MGH College Scholars

We continue to support alumni of the MGH Youth Scholars High School Program as they matriculate, persist, and eventually graduate from post-secondary institutions. Mass General invests in one-on-one academic coaching, social and emotional supports, and provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to all MGH College Scholars.

Summer Jobs Program

As one of the top employers of the annual Summer Jobs Program, Mass General provides meaningful summer employment opportunities to more than 230 youth, a commitment we’ve made since 1991. Mass General employs students from Boston, Chelsea and Revere. The departments and health centers that employ Summer Jobs students range from Anesthesia and the Center for Regenerative Medicine to the Charlestown, Chelsea and Revere HealthCare Centers to the Tissue Engineering Lab. As part of their summer experience at Mass General, students learn about jobs in health and science fields through weekly professional development and skills workshops. 

Outcomes

Program outcomes have been excellent. Between 2012 and 2019, 100% of our 186 students have graduated from high school. 87% have entered post-secondary education, 53 have graduated from college, and 7 have earned graduate degrees. In 2019, one entered medical school and four more entered other graduate programs. 17 of our Scholars are now or have been employed in full-time positions at Mass General or other Mass General Brigham affiliates, and more than 90 are in college now.