Jóvenes en Acción (JEA) – Hyde Square Task Force

Jóvenes en Acción

Arts, education, and community for teens

Jóvenes en Acción/Youth in Action (JEA) is HSTF’s year-round program for youth in grades 8–12, rooted in Afro-Latin arts and culture.

JEA brings together arts, education support, mentoring, civic engagement, youth organizing, and social-emotional support so young people can grow as artists, students, leaders, and community members all at once.

EXPLORE JEA

Where arts, education, and community come together

JEA gives young people a space to explore Afro-Latin arts, build skills, connect with peers and mentors, and use their creativity and voices to make a difference.

A look inside JEA’s arts, culture, leadership, and community work.

ABOUT JEA

A year-round program for youth in grades 8–12

JEA is built around three core components: Afro-Latin arts, education support and mentoring, and civic engagement and youth organizing. Dedicated social-emotional support is also woven throughout the program.

Through this connected model, young people train in their art forms, create original work, receive academic and future-planning support, and build leadership skills they can use in school, at work, in the community, and in life.

CORE COMPONENTS

How JEA supports young people

Afro-Latin Arts

Youth train in dance, music, or theatre, create original work, and explore Afro-Latin cultural traditions.

Education Support and Mentoring

Participants receive academic support, tutoring, mentoring, and guidance as they plan for college, career, or other next steps.

Civic Engagement and Youth Organizing

Youth learn organizing skills, explore community issues, and use their voices to take action in Boston communities.

WHAT YOUTH DO

Choose an ensemble and build your craft

JEA youth join one of three ensembles – Dance Team, Music Team, or Theatre Team – where they train in their art form, create original work, and use their craft to take on real issues facing their communities.

Dance

Youth learn contemporary and traditional Afro-Latin dance, including bachata, salsa, merengue, bomba, and rumba, along with the histories and traditions behind them.

Music

Youth build musicianship through Afro-Latin music, music theory, ear training, songwriting, improvisation, music history, stage performance, and ensemble work.

Theatre

Youth devise original pieces, build improvisational skills, collaborate in ensembles, and explore Afro-Latin theatre styles and traditions.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

For current JEA and Caminos youth

JEA and Caminos participants may have access to additional opportunities that deepen their leadership, cultural learning, and community engagement.

Cultural Immersion Trips

JEA and Caminos participants may take part in cultural immersion experiences that deepen their connection to Afro-Latin culture, arts, history, and civic engagement.

Youth Organizing

Select JEA and Caminos youth may take on organizing and advocacy opportunities connected to issues affecting their communities.

SESSIONS AND ELIGIBILITY

School year and summer opportunities

JEA is offered during the school year and summer. School year sessions typically include fall, winter, and spring. During the summer session, JEA becomes a paid opportunity.

School Year Sessions

Enrolled in 8th grade or high school
Ages 13–19
Live or go to school in Boston

Summer Session

Enrolled in high school
Ages 14–19
Live or go to school in Boston
Legally authorized to work in the United States

Current session dates, application timing, and any additional requirements should be handled in the application or interest list area.

INTEREST AND APPLICATION

Enrolling

6–7 years old

1 PM Drum Lesson Test

Apply Now

Coming soon

8–10 years old

Test

Apply Now

SUPPORTERS

Supported by partners who invest in youth

JEA is fortunate to have many generous supporters, including the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Boston Department of Youth Engagement and Employment, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and many others.

Since joining in 8th grade, I’ve performed for live audiences and gone on educational field trips connected to music and culture.