Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation

Working together, building community

Brighton Future Forward

About Brighton Future Forward (BFF)

ABCDC’s Brighton Future Forward (BFF) Program is dedicated to delivering innovative and comprehensive youth development programming for young people residing at two Boston Housing Authority developments in Brighton: Commonwealth Development/Fidelis Way and Faneuil Gardens. The BFF program focuses on fostering academic success, social-emotional growth, leadership skills, and community engagement through a wide range of creative and educational activities. 

Our current programming, designed to meet the diverse needs of youth ages 7 to 14, includes interactive workshops on topics like news literacy, public speaking, and environmental awareness, as well as artistic projects such as bead animals, vision boards, and tissue paper crafts. Social-emotional learning is integrated through team-building exercises, community love letters, and self-expression activities. We also emphasize physical wellness and outdoor recreation with activities such as dance, relay races, kickball, and other engaging challenges that promote collaboration! Each day, we dedicate time to snack breaks and homework support, ensuring that youth have the nourishment and academic assistance they need to accomplish physical, emotional, and intellectual success.  Additionally, we are proud to collaborate with the Harvard Ed Portal, which provides weekly lessons that enrich our youth’s learning experiences with new perspectives and skills.  

Through these initiatives, the BFF program continues to nurture a supportive environment that empowers young individuals to build confidence, connect with their community, and explore their potential.  

 

To learn more about BFF, please contact our Youth Program Coordinator:

Emma Galletta, [email protected] or 857-242-1123

Meet Our Staff

Corryn Barter: Youth Program Support Specialists

Corryn Barter (she/her) is originally from Tucson, Arizona but has lived in Allston for the past three years. She has experience working with students of all ages as a youth mentor and 9th grade teacher. She is currently in the Masters of Public Health program at BU studying Social Epidemiology. In her free time, she enjoys riding bikes and watching movies with her partner and their two cats!

Jackie Coston: Youth Program Support Specialists

Jackie Coston (she/her) is a Boston-raised business professional that has experience working in healthcare, health-tech, government and non-profit organizations. She is a University of Massachusetts Boston alumni with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Also earning a certification in project management from the Project Management Institute, she has over six years of expertise leading strategic initiatives. With her passion to support the next generation, she joined Allston Brighton CDC as a Youth Program Specialist to foster the mission of the Brighton Future Forward Program. Outside of work Jackie enjoys going to the movies, spending time with family and traveling.

Emma Galletta: Youth Program Coordinator

Emma J. Galletta (she/they) is a passionate advocate for community engagement and youth empowerment. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Emma recently earned a Master’s in Global Developmental Policy from Boston University in December 2024. With extensive experience working with youth, including as a Youth Employment Mentor with the Broome-Tioga Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Upstate New York, Emma is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people and their families to thrive. Currently, Emma serves on the executive board of BU’s Urban Refuge under the guidance of Dr. Noora Lori, contributing to research and operations to support displaced and refuge-seeking populations in urban areas. Outside of work, Emma enjoys practicing yoga and pilates, cooking creatively, and spending quality time with their beloved cat.

Arida Sadykova: Youth Program Support Specialists

Arida Sadykova (she/her) is originally from Kazakhstan and is a recent graduate of Boston University with a degree in Project Management. Arida has also volunteered with a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, where she discovered her passion for helping others. She is passionate about this work because it allows her to make a positive impact while using her skills in project management. Arida loves spending time with kids, doing fun experiments, and encouraging their curiosity. In her free time, she enjoys playing table tennis and staying active. Her dedication and enthusiasm make her a great addition to our team.

Mercury Sol Santo Cruz: Youth Program Support Specialists

Mercury Sol Santo Cruz (they/them) is currently pursuing a career in community development and organizing. They believe youth are the foundation of our society and are our future leaders, so they are always excited to learn from the youth themselves but also to be an educator, influence, and mentor to the young minds of our community. Outside of work, Mercury is an artist — a painter using their experiences to create and give a voice to what words cannot. They are excited to discover what we create & learn as a community!

Register Your Child

Are you interested in enrolling your child in the Brighton Future Forward Program? Complete an enrollment form today or contact us for more information!

Volunteer With Us

We are looking for creative, energetic, and motivated individuals to help us foster the social-emotional, intellectual, and artistic growth in young people! Complete a volunteer interest form today or contact us for more information.

In-Kind Donations

With the number of youth that we serve, we are always in need of supplies. If you’re interested in making an in-kind donation to the center, please call our Youth Program Coordinators at 617-787-3874 ext. 205.

Priority Needs For Brighton Future Forward

  • Gently-used games
  • Art supplies
  • Any materials that youth aged 7-14 might enjoy!

©Allston Brighton CDC | 18R Shepard Street, Suite 100 | Brighton, MA 02135 | p: 617.787.3874 | f: 617.787.0425 | TTY: 711