Tapped to be the cinematographer for a short film, Leureanny Fernandes, 16, spent the summer learning about shot composition, also teamwork and leadership.”I found it really cool to just be able to have the opportunity to work in front of all these really expensive cameras that I probably would never have seen in my life,” she said.The film project was one of several meant to elevate the voices of Boston youth. Some teens worked on a documentary; others learned the art of podcasting.It was all part of a workforce development program, run by Children’s Services of Roxbury, called Youth, Purpose and Partnership, or YPP.Harry Harding, the vice president of innovation and strategic partnership, said the acronym used to stand for something else.”YPP started in 1995 as Youth Policing Partnership,” Harding said. “The gang scene was really challenging for Boston, and it was a major effort for the community to come together and address the issue. YPP grew out of that and also became a program that focused on leadership development, career readiness, and community engagement.”Teens and young adults from across the city apply to join YPP sessions held during the school year and in the summer.In addition to doing their own projects, they’re exposed to different careers. Over the summer, the youth visited digital radio station SparkFM and sneaker company Puma.”To interact in the community, interact in other potential employers with other potential employers,” Harding said.This summer’s digital projects addressed challenges young people face related to mental health. The topic was selected by the young creators.”All of our ideas and thoughts matter, and they always voice that to us,” Fernandes said of YPP. “I have learned a lot of communication skills…I’ve definitely learned responsibility skills and time management.”Find out more about YPP here.

BOSTON —

Tapped to be the cinematographer for a short film, Leureanny Fernandes, 16, spent the summer learning about shot composition, also teamwork and leadership.

“I found it really cool to just be able to have the opportunity to work in front of all these really expensive cameras that I probably would never have seen in my life,” she said.

The film project was one of several meant to elevate the voices of Boston youth. Some teens worked on a documentary; others learned the art of podcasting.

It was all part of a workforce development program, run by Children’s Services of Roxbury, called Youth, Purpose and Partnership, or YPP.

Harry Harding, the vice president of innovation and strategic partnership, said the acronym used to stand for something else.

“YPP started in 1995 as Youth Policing Partnership,” Harding said. “The gang scene was really challenging for Boston, and it was a major effort for the community to come together and address the issue. YPP grew out of that and also became a program that focused on leadership development, career readiness, and community engagement.”

Teens and young adults from across the city apply to join YPP sessions held during the school year and in the summer.

In addition to doing their own projects, they’re exposed to different careers. Over the summer, the youth visited digital radio station SparkFM and sneaker company Puma.

“To interact in the community, interact in other potential employers with other potential employers,” Harding said.

This summer’s digital projects addressed challenges young people face related to mental health. The topic was selected by the young creators.

“All of our ideas and thoughts matter, and they always voice that to us,” Fernandes said of YPP. “I have learned a lot of communication skills…I’ve definitely learned responsibility skills and time management.”

Find out more about YPP here.

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