Sponsored by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Explore how you can contribute to your city at Third Thursday: Making Your Mark on April 16th.
The number of Millennials and young professionals living in Boston represents one of the largest demographics, and their impact on the city goes beyond their contributions to our thriving innovation ecosystem. In playing a more active role in the community and getting involved in the civil, social and artistic vibrancy of the city, Boston’s younger generation will have a lasting impact and be more likely to establish long-term roots.
Chloe Ryan of the City of Boston’s ONEin3 program understands it may be difficult to take the first step in getting involved in the community, but stresses there are endless opportunities to empower this generation and allow them to connect with the place they call home.
BostInno caught up with Ryan to get her insight on how establishments like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum promote community involvement, the role employers play in encouraging civil, social and artistic action, and how Boston has been successful promoting community engagement.
Here’s what she had to say:
Ethan Bukowiec: Could you describe your role as ONEin3’s manager?
Chloe Ryan: Under the direction of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, I oversee the City of Boston’s program to attract and retain 20 to 34-year-olds to the city, ONEin3. This includes managing the mayor’s ONEin3 Council, which is comprised of diverse representatives from the demographic working to have a positive and lasting impact on the city. I also manage ONEin3’s outreach efforts, which includes building partnerships and connecting young adults to resources related to civic engagement, entrepreneurship and the community.
EB: How can Boston’s younger population engage in civic, artistic and social life in the city?
CR: Boston’s young adult demographic is a cornerstone of the vibrancy of our city. We encourage young adults to play an active role in their neighborhoods and communities by attending community meetings, volunteering, serving on boards and taking on leadership positions in their free time. The more Millennials feel empowered and connected to the place they call home, the more likely they will put down roots here and play a positive role in the community.
The mayor also announced a mentoring program, BostonMentors, to connect Bostonians of any age with mentoring opportunities.
EB: How do establishments like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum encourage Boston’s younger population to become more active socially, civically and artistically?
CR: Cultural gems like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum provide young adults with a gathering space and a connection point. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Third Thursdays Series is a wonderful example of ways in which our cultural institutions are creating a special space for Millennials. Other examples include the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s “YoPros” group providing discounted tickets, or Boston Ballet’s Young Partners program. Most organizations realize the importance of cultivating the next generation of supporters and prioritize the relationship with the demographic.
In addition, cultural institutions — whether it’s the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Boston Red Sox, or the new Lawn on D — help instill a sense of pride in Boston’s Millennial demographic, which is critical to attracting and retaining 20 to 34-year-olds.
EB: What do you think needs to be done to get Boston’s young professionals to contribute to the community outside of the workplace?
CR: Employer support is key in encouraging young professionals to give back to their community. Employers have the opportunity to empower young professionals to take on leadership roles in the community through flexible work schedules, socially driven agendas and a commitment to improving society.
Employers also benefit from this encouragement, as studies show that the Millennial generation cares deeply about making a positive social impact.
EB: What initiatives are ONEin3 focusing on this year to get Boston’s younger population more involved in the social, civil and artistic aspects of their community?
CR: We’re hosting a number of events and encouraging young adults to play a key role in some of the most relevant topics regarding Boston’s future, including: Boston 2024, the Urban Renewal Process, and the Go Boston 2030 transportation plan.
EB: During your time with ONEin3, what’s been the city’s biggest success in promoting more community engagement among Boston’s young professionals?
CR: We’ve had a number of successes in the past two years at ONEin3. In March, we partnered with Artists for Humanity to host Art with Heart, an evening of collective art creating to support Artists for Humanity’s mission of providing underserved Boston youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. We brought together more than 250 young professionals to engage with the City of Boston, give back to the community and make connections in the process.
We also created and hosted the ONEin3 Impact Awards, which honored young adults who are going above and beyond to have a positive impact on the community. At the Impact Award Celebration, we were joined by the chief of civic engagement for the City of Boston, who spoke about the importance of being involved in your neighborhood.
We host a monthly “Neighborhood Night” series which brings young adults together to meet their neighbors and learn about resources available to those interested in volunteering or mentoring.
EB: What’s your go-to advice for someone who is looking to become more involved in his/her community but is not sure how to make the first step?
CR: Get involved! There are so many ways to give back to the community, meet new people and explore the city. I always suggest identifying topics of interest, doing research and ultimately showing up — either to volunteer or to support the organization in another way. Another foolproof way is to connect with ONEin3! Sign up for our email blasts, follow us on Twitter, or set up an office-hours appointment. We would love to hear from you!
