Frequently Asked Questions

To Be Eligible for the BYF Summer Employment Program, You:

• MUST Turn 15 Years Old on or Before the Program Start Date
• CANNOT Turn 18 Years Old on or Before the Program End Date
• MUST be a Full-Time Resident of the City of Boston
• MUST be Legally Permitted to Work in Massachusetts & The United States

There are NO printed (paper) BYF applications. The ONLY way to apply to BYF is to register with the HOPELINE via the phone or Internet.

Teens will need to provide:

• Name
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Phone Number
• E-Mail Address
• Language Spoken Information
• Employment Interests

No. Unfortunately positions are not guaranteed. We suggest that all applicants explore any other job opportunities while waiting to hear from BYF.

The program typically runs for approximately six weeks during July and August. Specific dates are announced each year when the program details are finalized.

If you are interested in a position with an organization you should contact the organization directly to express interest. Partnering organizations are permitted to select a portion of their employees through an interview process, however, the majority of positions are selected through a random selection process conducted by BYF. The BYF begins contacting teens selected randomly in mid-April and continues through May and June and sometimes even into July.

Those worksites with additional requirements are noted with an asterisk (*) and may have an additional application attached. If you are interested in working at one of these organizations, please contact them directly after you have registered with the HOPELINE.

View Potential Worksite List →

Applicants chosen for positions with BYF will be contacted beginning at the end of April. Applicants will be contacted via the Phone Number or Email Address provided when registering for the Hopeline. BYF will continue to randomly select applicants throughout the months of May, June, and the beginning of July.

After an applicant has received their HOPELINE Tracking Number, they should view the list of BYF Partners on our website.

View Potential Worksite List →

* Please note: some worksites have an additional application and interview process.

Selected applicants will need to provide proper identification and work authorization documents. Contact BYF headquarters at 617-635-4202 for specific documentation requirements.

BYF teens are placed in non-profit organizations throughout the City of Boston. You can view the list of BYF Partners on our website.

After an applicant has received their HOPELINE tracking number, they should view a list of potential worksites and contact any worksites that they may be interested in that have additional applications or requirements.

* Please note: some worksites have an additional application and interview process.

Teens are paid an hourly rate for a maximum of 25 hours per week. Contact BYF for current pay rate information.

No. BYF only allows teen employees to be paid for a maximum of 25 hours per week. If the organization you are working at requires additional hours, they must make agreements with employees prior to the start of the program. Organizations cannot hold an employee's inability to work more than 25 hours per week against them.

Typically, BYF will not transfer teens from one organization to another. Once teens are assigned to a site, they are expected to report to that site for the duration of the program. Teens may request to be transferred; however, they may only be granted in special circumstances. If a teen has a problem at their work site, they should contact BYF immediately.