Multicultural Youth Tour of What's Now

CONTACT:

PO Box 180445
Boston, MA 02118
617-536-8696
www.mytowninc.com

Marinell Rousmaniere, executive director

DESCRIPTION:

As a young African-American, Karilyn Crockett felt disconnected from the Boston of her history classes. On a college walking tour of Roxbury and the South End, she heard about the Pullman Porters, Myrna Vasquez, Mel King, and the thousands of migrants and immigrants who had built the multicultural Boston she knew. She began to think of the city as hers, too, and from this personal discovery that local history can move young people and strengthen inner-city communities, MYTOWN was born in 1995. It has trained and employed nearly 200 Boston teenagers to lead historical walking tours and presentations for thousands, including DNC delegates and their families. The Youth Guides learn how to research and teach local and personal history, and in that process how to become successful adults. Last year 100% of the Youth Guides reported they had learned history taught nowhere else, 75% that MYTOWN had helped them academically, and 80% that it had shown them how to work constructively with peers. And what a kick it was this year to help show the diversity of the city during the Convention! For cost-effectively fostering positive community identity and civic pride, and enriching the lives of urban youth, history and philanthropy make a powerful combination. You can help them do more.

(2004: CULTURE: Education: Informal: General)