Be a Part of YEP!
The Young Entrepreneurs Project is always looking for mentors to help our students learn more business savvy. You can also volunteer for a day by hosting a job shadow day at your business. Learn how you can help!
YEP program participant
Participant Quote
"This program helped me start my own business..."
News from YEP!
What do 73 Boston Public School youth do with their energy, innovations and ideas?
This spring, 73 students from the Young Entrepreneurs Project put their ability to work on a variety of endeavors. Here are a few highlights:

Charlestown High School Young Entrepreneurs visited Bunker Hill Community College where they learned about college majors and career opportunities in fields as far-flung as nursing to motor-cycle repair.

Dearborn Middle School Young Entrepreneurs donated the proceeds from their Mothers' Day Sale to the Jimmy Fund and became a Scooper School, attending the Boston Scooperbowl and consuming over 200 scoops of ice cream.

YEP students from the Burke High School attended a job shadow at the Fire Department where they scaled ladders four stories high and learned about service opportunities in the Boston Fire Department.

YEP students from Dearborn Middle School and Charlestown High School came dressed professionally and were ready to greet customers at the YEP Mother's Day Sale at South Station this May 4th and 5th. Students conducted hundred of transactions and sold a variety of hand-made and store bought boutique spa items, cards and jewelry.

Congratulations to the Young Entrepreneurs Class of 2010 and keep your eyes peeled for our Holiday Extravaganza Sale at South Station in December.

Young Entrepreneurs Project (YEP)

Program Contact: Nurit Benninga • 617-556-4075 x25
Ages Served: 14-24 • Program Founded: 1992

The Young Entrepreneurs Project is a career development program for urban youth with disabilities and their peers without disabilities.

YEP curriculum uses a comprehensive approach to learning that takes participants through the entire process of starting a small business, with supplemental activities designed to explore career options, develop key job skills, and prepare students for the work force.

Class and Community Based Learning: Youth complete a 40-hour entrepreneurship curriculum, consisting of classroom learning, guest speakers, and field trips.

Hands-on Business Experience: All students that participate in YEP can say they have owned a business. The curriculum is a step-by-step process where each group of students conceives of and starts their own business, then works collaboratively to run it and eventually share in the profits!

Mentoring: Adult mentors, including local business leaders and business students, work with youth to develop and deliver their business plan.

Three young women sell gifts during YEP at South Station

Why teach entrepreneurship?

Experiential learning connects students with their studies in a very real way.

All students at some point wonder, "Why should I learn math? I won't need it after school!" The YEP curriculum engages students by connecting learning with real-life experiences and tangible goals. YEP students are never left wondering about math, reading and writing, because they know it is essential to developing a successful business.

For Learning:Through the development and delivery of a business plan, students will develop the real-world business savvy employers are looking for, while reinforcing key math, reading, and writing skills.

For Career Awareness: Through the delivery of their business plan, YEP students develop key qualities essential for success in the job world, such as professionalism and customer service. In addition, YEP students develop a resume and go on field trips and job shadow days to explore future career options.