Photos: Youth job rally marches to State House, asks Patrick, legislators for funding

(Courtesy: Mike Watts, Youth Coordinator, Franklin Park Coalition)

Youth job rally members march down Boylston Street toward the State House.

Boston.com staff

A group of local teens attended a Youth Rally last week to ask for youth job funding.

In a packed State House auditorium last Thursday, Governor Deval Patrick told the rallying city youths that they should lobby the private sector for employment opportunities, according to the State House News Service.

Over the course of nearly three hours, the youths met at Old South Church in Copley Square, marched one mile to the State House, rallied in Gardner Auditorium and then visited state legislators offices. The rally was organized by Dorchester's Youth Job Coalition.

The group is pleading with lawmakers to support the governor's proposal to fund youth jobs program YouthWorks at $8.4 million and a program that helps place youth in private sector jobs at $4 million, the State House News report said.

On a related note, Friday is the deadline to apply to the city's summer teen employment program, the Boston Youth Fund.

(Courtesy: Mike Watts, Youth Coordinator, Franklin Park Coalition)

Members of Franklin Park Coalition's Youth Crew with State Rep. Liz Malia. The FPC Youth Crew program gives community teens jobs in the park doing woodlands restoration and facilitating events. The program teaches youth workers about careers in forestry and park management, and helps with leadership skills.

(Courtesy: Mike Watts, Youth Coordinator, Franklin Park Coalition)

As the crowd headed past Boston Common, a protester held a sign reading "youth jobs prevent violence."

(Courtesy: Mike Watts, Youth Coordinator, Franklin Park Coalition)

Several youth rally members talk with State Rep. Carlos Henriquez during last week's event.