BCYF G.I.R.L.S.
BCYF G.I.R.L.S. programs focus on Growth, Intervention, Respect, Leadership, and Service for Girls.
Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) provides high quality programs and services for Boston’s girls. G.I.R.L.S. helps Boston’s girls meet their full potential through programs that meet their interests and needs. G.I.R.L.S. meets girls’ needs in an empowering, supportive, and welcoming environment. We want all girls to become healthy, strong, self-confident, and successful women. BCYF girls' programming is inclusive of girls of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.
G.I.R.L.S. programming includes:
- BCYF Girls' Nights
- BCYF Girls’ Leadership Corps
- Youth Trainings
- Staff Professional Development
- Girls Only Program Time: designated times and spaces set aside for girls programming
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Want more information? Contact:
Erika Butler, GIRLS Initiative Coordinator
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617-961-6942
Girls Nights
We offer a variety of Girls Nights and family events year-round for Boston youth. Pre-registration is required for each event by clicking the registration link. Upcoming events are listed below.
BCYF Girls Crafternoon
Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
BCYF Mattahunt Community Center
100 Hebron Street, Mattapan
Join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts, snacks and fun. Girls of all ages are welcome. Children ages 12 and under must attend with a parent or guardian.
Register for Girls Crafternoon
BCYF Girls Night: Boston Lights
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Entrance at 6 p.m.
Franklin Park Zoo
Arrive at 5:30 p.m. for face painting before entering the light show at 6 p.m. This event is for girls of all ages. Children ages 14 and under must attend with a parent or guardian. Please register no more than two people per family at one time.
Registration link coming soon.
BCYF & Chez Vous Family Skate
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink
11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester
Registration is required.
Register for Family Skate
BCYF Spooky Skate
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 5 – 8 p.m.
Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink
11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester
For youth ages 17 and under. Registration is required.
Register for Spooky Skate
BCYF Girls Spooky Swim
Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Noon – 3 p.m.
BCYF Draper Pool
Enjoy swimming, sweets and Halloween fun. This event is for girls ages 14 and under, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Register for Spooky Swim
Registration is required for all events. Please email erika.butler@boston.gov with any questions.
BCYF Girls’ Leadership Corps
The BCYF Girls' Leadership Corps (GLC) is for girls ages 12 - 14. GLC takes place during the summer. The application should be available in April.
Leadership Corps members:
- take part in personal and leadership development workshops
- learn to establish positive and healthy lifestyle goals
- build essential skills and confidence to become successful and independent women
- develop and support girls programming
- lead community service projects, and
- engage other young women in workshops to address issues facing young women.
Trainings and professional development
BCYF G.I.R.L.S. facilitates training opportunities for both youth and staff. Trainings address issues that concern girls and women in Boston.
Partners providing training include, among others:
- Girls’ LEAP
- Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and
- Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.
Training topics include:
- interventions for violence perpetrated against women by men or by other women
- trauma response and sensitivity
- teen pregnancy
- healthy relationships
- exploitation prevention, and
- sports-based youth development focused on girls.
The BCYF G.I.R.L.S. Initiative is grateful for the sponsorship of the Shannon Grant and the Foundation for BCYF, and the support of Beats By Girlz, Girls' Leap, Love Your Menses, InnHer Uplift Consulting LLC, the Boston Police Department's Civic Engagement Unit and G.R.O.W. Girls program, the YWCA, and the Boston Housing Authority.
Who's Involved:
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Want more information? Contact:
Erika Butler, GIRLS Initiative Coordinator
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617-961-6942
