This blog post is meant for two different types of readers: the returners and the newcomers. The returners might be asking — what’s with the new website, the new logo, and more importantly, the new name?
For the newcomers, we used to be Youth CITIES, which is still a cool name, but how much cooler is yCITIES? Think of all the possibilities the “y” could signify: you, youth, young adult, your mother, (y)etc. And that is exactly why yCITIES changed its name.
This organization, having begun in 2008, has grown with a significant number of folks who began their journeys here in their teens. Whether they’ve stuck for the entire ride or continued on their roads and returned, the name yCITIES reflects the open arms with which we welcome all, from the middle schooler to the friend-brought-along to the seed stage startup founder to the seasoned entrepreneur, with.
yCITIES is not just a new name, it’s an evolution. Throughout the years, yCITIES scholars and mentors have become subject-matter-experts in their own fields; with this, we find that the diversity in knowledge and backgrounds that the yCITIES network includes must be reflected in our offerings (see Skunkworks RATlabs, Nanotalks) and can be leveraged to help each other grow (see Roadside Assistance).
I wouldn’t call yCITIES an organization — I would call it an ecosystem. It’s a continuously changing biome where each and every organism builds relationships, gives and gets, teaches and learns. As we open up to people in all stages of their life, we hope to address their different needs and facilitate conversations where new perspectives are shared and new ideas are generated.
Now, you may be wondering — who is the amazing, fantastic, awesome, wonderful, terrific person behind this blog post, and how do they have to do anything with this? My name is Joanna Lin, and I’ve been a part of the yCITIES community since 7th grade — and now, I am in 10th grade. Time flies when you’re having fun.
My experience with yCITIES first began with the L3 Innovation Challenge, and I loved it so much I came back to attend another one and the M2M Bootcamp. These experiences were the first ones where I finally immersed myself into the world of entrepreneurship, changemaking, and idea generation. And I can definitely say that they have inspired me into my future years.
During the beginnings of the pandemic, I started whipping coffee and adjusting to online school, as any other does, and this transition period during my first year of high school caused me to be away from Youth CITIES for a while, but the entrepreneurial spirit that this ecosystem helped foster in me did not.
The innovation and entrepreneurship I found at yCITIES fostered in me a constant urge for better change, and it led me to be interested in working in policy and business. During the pandemic, these passions turned into initiatives — I started a business on Etsy selling wall art and collage prints with a focus on positivity, creativity, and social impact, and I co-direct a committee of the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council.
Ultimately, however, I sought my way back to yCITIES to re-immerse myself in and learn from the diverse community of folks making change and see where I could help give back to the community that helped me take my first few steps in change-making — and here I am.
My story reflects something yCITIES values in its evolution. At yCITIES, we appreciate the people who have been with yCITIES for many years, the people who just joined, the people who left and came back, and the people its impacted.
Every experience is a learning experience. Highlighting different aspects and happenings of the yCITIES ecosystem and turning that into an educational and supportive system at yCITIES — whether it be on social media, our CORE community group platform, through our graphics — is what the unique community at yCITIES can foster.
Farewell, for now — and get ready for the action.