Boston council committee advances ordinance to make youth office permanent city law

BOSTON — October 27, 2025 — Boston City Council committee hears broad support for codifying youth office into city law. The Committee on Government Operations chaired by Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata held a hearing October 27 on Docket 1434, a proposed ordinance sponsored by Councilors Henry Santana, John FitzGerald, and Benjamin J. Weber that would embed the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement in the city's code of ordinances. Jose Maso, chief of human services, and OYA Executive Director Pedro Cruz told the committee the office has grown from one employee to a staff of 11 in two and a half years and raised close to $200,000 in external funding this fiscal year, while its Youthline resource hub lists more than 500 services and its Boston After Dark program served more than 1,500 young people across 15 neighborhoods last summer. More than a dozen community organizations, youth workers, and young members of Santana's Youth Force testified in support and no opposition was offered. Coletta Zapata said a committee report and final language are expected within a week, with a full City Council vote targeted for the following Wednesday.