Only Together Can We Build A World

Where All Our Young Adults

Are Safe, Strong & Valued

Acknowledgment of Our Funders

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the generous supporters who made this year’s ITY Empowerment & Leadership Summer Youth Program possible. Your commitment to uplifting young lives is not only appreciated—it is life-changing.

We offer a special thank you to:

The Church Home Society

Patriots Foundation

PIC

Suffolk DA Office

Mayors Office For Immigrant Advancement

For their incredible sponsorship and belief in our mission.

Your support has directly empowered dozens of youth to grow in leadership, community responsibility, and personal development.

Thank you for investing in the next generation of changemakers.

WHO WE ARE

Inspiring Today’s Young Adults Inc (ITY) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA, dedicated to empowering at-risk youth and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Founded by Danny Santana, a former ex-offender and recovery coach. ITY aims to reduce recidivism and promote personal transformation by offering mentorship, education, job training, and community support.

ITY programs focus on young people aged 14-24, particularly those affected by gang violence, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health challenges. Our approach is unique in that we hire ex-offenders who are committed to giving back, providing them with the opportunity to become mentors and leaders within their communities.

Mission:
To empower young people and returning citizens to break the cycle of violence, addiction, and poverty by providing mentorship, education, and career development in a supportive, values-driven environment.

Vision:
A society where at-risk youth and returning citizens are equipped with the tools, resources, and inspiration to succeed, lead fulfilling lives, and contribute positively to their communities.

WHAT WE DO

Empowerment & Leadership Summer Youth Program

Inspiring Today’s Young Adults Inc. (ITY) is a Boston-based nonprofit founded by Danny Santana, a former justice-involved individual, dedicated to uplifting at-risk youth and those affected by the criminal justice system. Since 2017, ITY has reached over 500 youth, led 200+ mentorship sessions, and achieved an 80% improvement in participants’ personal development through its summer youth programming.

Program Overview

Summer Empowerment & Leadership Program offers youth ages 14–24 an immersive, 8-week, in-person experience focused on healing, leadership, and life skills. This transformative summer initiative prioritizes youth impacted by gang violence, substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health challenges.

Weekly Focus Schedule

🧘‍♂️ Daily (Mon–Fri): Breath Work & Mindful Meditation
🛑 Mondays & Thursdays (On-Site): Youth Gang Prevention & Intervention Workshops, Chess For Beginners
🌱 Tuesdays & Fridays (Off-Site): Organic Agriculture, Community Responsibility & Engagement, T-shirt printing & Design For Beginners
💰 Wednesdays (Off-Site): Financial Literacy & Community Outing

Core Focus Areas

🧘‍♂️ Guided Meditation & Breath Work – Emotional regulation, mindfulness, and stress reduction

🧠 Youth Gang Prevention & Mentorship – Intervention strategies and positive role modeling

🗣️ Social Awareness & Community Engagement – Understanding housing, health, and justice issues

🌱 Organic Agriculture & Sustainability – Farming techniques and environmental stewardship

💰 Financial Literacy & Budgeting – Practical money management, saving, and financial planning

📚 Education & Skills Training – Workforce readiness and personal development

Re-Entry Advocacy Program

In Partnership with Solutions At Work:

Re-entry programs are essential in breaking the cycle of recidivism by tackling the underlying challenges that contribute to re-offending, including limited opportunities, unstable living conditions, and untreated mental health issues. Effective reintegration not only eases the burden on the criminal justice system but also fosters safer, more stable communities.

Key Areas of Support:

Employment Assistance – Connecting individuals with job opportunities, career training, and resume-building resources to promote long-term stability.
Housing Support – Providing access to safe, affordable housing options to reduce homelessness and support successful reintegration.
Legal Aid and Advocacy – Offering guidance on legal challenges, expungement, and rights restoration to help individuals navigate systemic barriers.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support – Ensuring access to counseling, therapy, and recovery programs to address behavioral health needs.
Education and Skills Training – Equipping individuals with GED programs, vocational training, and higher education opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Family and Community Support – Strengthening family ties and community networks to foster a supportive environment for successful reintegration.

Youth Human Trafficking Awareness Program

At Inspiring Today’s Young Adults (ITY), we are committed to protecting and empowering youth by raising awareness about human sex trafficking—a crisis affecting vulnerable young people in our communities. Our Youth Human Sex Trafficking Awareness Program educates, equips, and supports at-risk youth, families, and community members in identifying and preventing exploitation.

Program Objectives:

✅ Education & Prevention: Interactive workshops that teach youth how to recognize red flags, understand grooming tactics, and protect themselves and others.
✅ Survivor Support & Advocacy: Providing resources and mentorship to survivors, connecting them with counseling, safe housing, and legal assistance.
✅ Community Engagement: Partnering with schools, local organizations, and law enforcement to create a united front against trafficking.
✅ Safe Spaces & Reporting: Offering a confidential, supportive environment for youth to seek help, report concerns, and access emergency assistance.

Our mission is to empower youth with knowledge, resources, and a strong support system to break the cycle of exploitation and build a future free from trafficking.

📢 Join Us! Whether you’re a student, educator, or community member, we need your voice in this fight. Contact us to learn more, volunteer, or participate in upcoming events.

Feeding The Hungry Program

Inspiring Today’s Young Adults Inc. (ITY) proudly continues its longest-running initiative, Feeding The Hungry, inspired by Iris Vega, mother of ITY’s Director, Danny Santana. Iris began her work feeding the homeless in the South End in the early 2000s, providing food, warmth, and support to those in need. After relocating to Jacksonville, FL, her commitment to the homeless population continued, leaving a lasting legacy that now fuels ITY’s mission.

Feeding The Hungry operates twice a week, with volunteers distributing food, care packages, Narcan, and essential items for individuals facing homelessness and addiction. Seasonal clothing is also provided to ensure warmth and comfort. The program aims to address basic human needs while fostering community and offering hope.

The objective is to serve meals from 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM, a time when food access is scarce, and to distribute care packages bi-weekly. All meals and packages are prepared by dedicated volunteers who support the mission of compassion and service. This initiative honors Iris Vega’s legacy of kindness, with ITY working to create positive, lasting change for the most vulnerable in our community.

AYVC

Ashmont Youth Violence Collaboration

Support the Ashmont Youth Violence Collaboration (AYVC)

I’m inviting your organization to join the Ashmont Youth Violence Collaboration (AYVC), a partnership led by ITY and local community organizations. Our goal is to reduce youth violence in the Ashmont area, particularly during school let-out hours.

About ITY:
ITY empowers at-risk youth and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system through mentorship, education, and job training.

How You Can Help:
We need male volunteers (30+) to help at Ashmont Train Stations from 1 PM to 4 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Volunteers can sign up for one or more days

Next Steps:
If you’d like to participate, please fill out the volunteer form or contact me at dsantana@ityouth.org.

Thank you for your support in helping reduce youth violence and create positive opportunities.

Join A Movement That Matters!

Support ITY By Donating or Volunteering Today.

Upcoming Event

Autism Fundraiser on December 14, 2025 at 750 Dudley St. from 1pm till 5pm. Our Christmas Drive give away to 250 Families will be on December 19, 2025 at 401 Ashmont St. from 12 noon till 4pm. Christmas party will be from 4pm till 7pm. Come see the Grinch and ITY Volunteer Staff.

Your Help Feeds The Hungry

Many of you have donated your time, effort, items and funds to help us keep food on the table of those in need. We greatly appreciate all of you helping ITY achieve it’s goals. As you can imagine there is a lot more to do so we ask for your support.

Help Us By Volunteering Your Time, Donating Food & Hygiene Products or Donations