Boston Council Committee Advances 10 Workforce Grants Worth More Than $2.5 Million

BOSTON — April 3, 2025 — Boston council committee advances ten workforce and tax-help grants worth more than $2.5 million to a full council vote. Chair Benjamin J. Weber of the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development convened the virtual hearing April 3, reading all ten dockets into the record before panelists from the Office of Workforce Development presented. The grants include $100,000 from the U.S. Treasury and $410,000 from the state for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which last year filed more than 12,000 free returns and generated $22 million in refunds for Boston residents. A $1,190,071.64 carry-in WIOA adult program grant supports the city's two MassHire career centers, operated by Jewish Vocational Services and ABCD. Youth Options Unlimited Deputy Director Tanisha De Leon reported serving 258 justice-involved young people in 2024 — down from a historical high of 400 — citing the loss of COVID-era funding. Panelists flagged growing anxiety over federal cuts to WIOA and other workforce programs, with Grants Director Katie Gall warning that significant federal reductions would "very significantly change" several of the programs under review.