In 1972 a city ordinance created Boston Community Schools keeping Boston's school buildings open to the public after school hours; its purpose was to provide Boston residents of all ages with local, neighborhood-based hubs that offer a range of programs and services to build community, address resident needs and enhance overall quality of life within Boston. Today, over 40 years later, Boston Community Schools exist as Boston Centers for Youth & Families. BCYF is the City of Boston's largest human services organization with a network of 35 facilities consisting of 29 community center sites and six free standing pools, and core site staff supported by an allocation of City funds. The Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families was created to provide fundraising, planning and programming support to strengthen and enhance BCYF programs and services across its vast network of community centers. As BCYF's longstanding private partner, the Foundation for BCYF's works to provide a variety of affordable, high-quality, outcome-driven programs that support the healthy development and learning of young people and strengthen and enhance communities. The Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families' mission is to improve the quality of life for Boston residents by offering a wide range of comprehensive programs and activities according to neighborhood needs and interests.
