Youth Intake Form 2025-2026
High School Juniors & Seniors
A project that brings together BIPOC and white youth through an embodied practice to discuss, expose, and address structural racism at its roots.
Students who are in their junior year or older in September 2025 will be considered for this program. Youth are invited to participate in the program for multiple years; however, there is an expectation that during the second year of participation, they will begin to do their field work and apply what they are learning to be a part of a change effort.
Meeting time: Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30
When: Starting first week of November 2025 and ending first week of June 2026
Where: Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center- Health Promotion Center, 10B Green Street, Jamaica Plain
Details
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The group is led through personal exploration into the theory of racial identity development, internalized privilege and oppression, and the various levels of racism and how they intersect with other forms of oppression. This is done via racial affinity groups, role playing, healing circles, fire circles, and several other activities. During this time, the young people learn to manage intense affect, their own and others’, while unpacking their experiences with racism. There is an expectation that participants find their voice in this process and learn to engage one another in safe ways.
During the second half of the year, the group begins to work on understanding and finding connections with their own family members and unique histories via “ancestor journeying” activities.
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Being housed in a healthcare setting and with a strong partner in the city’s health department, the Racial Reconciliation and Healing project is well-equipped to increase participants’ understanding of health inequities. Trainings include sessions on the following topics:
An overview of public health, including information on the health equity framework, epidemiology, social determinants, and how to understand research
An explanation of the intersection of racism and health and the biological pathways of stress
Information on the history of race in the United States and race policy
How to use racial justice framing and community organizing as tools for making change
An introduction to the Socratic teaching method, group facilitation, and public speaking
The Model
Need to Know
You need to be someone who talks when they are upset.
There needs to be a part of you that allows for the possibility that racism has a bigger impact on your life and the world than you currently think it does.
There are few programs like this that charge adolescents/young adults emotionally.
You come to do this work for yourself, not on behalf of others.
You can’t coast in this space; people are going to challenge you. It could happen in the first week of work.
Part of racial reconciliation work is that you must check in with the Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Dennie Butler-MacKay, and do an assessment of readiness. If you are in a place where you are juggling a lot (housing, school, childcare for siblings, economics, transportation), this may not be the project for you. Dennie will be asking about these things.
You have to feel, to deal, to reconcile, and heal.
Apply
Youth will be paid a monthly stipend
Any questions can be directed to:
Abigail Ortiz
Director of Community Health/Co-Director of Racial Justice and Equity Initiatives
abigail.ortiz300@gmail.com
857.203.1202