Peer Leaders

Teens Lead at Work (TL@W) was created in October, 2001 to address the alarming rates of teen worker fatalities and injuries while helping teens make a difference in creating their own futures. TL@W is composed of teens from the Dorchester, Hyde Park, and other neighborhoods of Boston, as well as teens from the greater Boston area, including Somerville. They have worked on a year-long workplace violence campaign, provided health and safety training for other youths and worked to pass a reform of the Massachusetts Child Labor Laws which had not been updated in nearly 70 years. Currently, the TL@W program is responsible for making sure that the Attorney General enforces the Child Labor Law reforms through their role as part of the Child Labor Law Task Force.

Summer 2011 Peer Leaders:

Charles

Charles is returning for his second year with TL@W.

Jessica C.

Jessica is one of the newest peer leaders at TL@W.

 

Shaquira

Shaquira is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. She joined because she "wanted to teach other people [her] age about how important it is to know their rights at work." She has learned leadership and communication skills that help her affect change in her community by educating teens on Health & Safety. Shaquira's favorite memory from her time with TL@W was receieving the Jobs with Justice award. She hopes to study biology in college and go into the medical field.

 

James

James is one of the newest peer leaders at TL@W.

 

Maria

Maria is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. 

 

Tonia

Tonia is a part of the Program Staff at TL@W and a member of the MassCOSH Board of Directors. She joined because she "wanted to be a voice for a group of people that society does not really recognize positively." Tonia's favorite memory from her time with TL@W are the neighborhood plunges that we do ever year. "Not only are [are they] fun but educational because we are learning a lot about other [communities]." She wishes that all young people knew the power in unity to effectively bring about change. Tonia loves Chemistry and hopes to study it in college.

 

Alana

Alana is returning for her second summer at TL@W.

 

Deonna

Deonna is a Peer Leader at TL@W. She has learned a lot about being safe at various workplaces, about child labor laws, and how jobs are around the world. She uses this knowledge to affect change in her community by informing teens about health and safety in the work place. She wishes that all young people knew how hard it is for teens to get a good job and prevent injuries. Deonna's favorite memory of TL@W was an all night lock-in sleep over with the other peer leaders last fall. Deonna is a gifted singer and dancer and hopes to one day record an album.

 

Shacora

Shacora is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. She joined because she "wanted to keep [herself] occupied with something productive." Ever since her first day the bond between herself and TL@W has grown. Shacora's favorite memory of TL@W was the day she was hired because it was the start to a new and forever life changing experience. She has learned the importance of young worker's rights and how to  identify body language. She uses these skills to affect change in her community by helping to inform individuals about their roles in life and what they are capable of. She wishes all young people had this knowledge. Shacora has been writing all her life and wants to major in Creative Writing in college so that "young people know that they have someone that relates to the things they have to endure in life."

 

Akelia

Akelia is returning for her second summer at TL@W.

 

Ashlee

Ashlee is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. She joined because she "felt like by impowering and advocating for youth we [can] influence them to become more aware of the possibilities out there [for them]." Ashelee's favorite memory while working with TL@W was receieving the Jobs for Justice award. She has used her work to affect change in her community by helping teens become more aware of issues going on in their own neighborhoods. Ashlee will be graduating from high school this year and hopes to study Culinary Arts and Buisness in college next year.

 

Aaliyah

Aaliyah is one of the newest peer leaders at TL@W.

 

Laurie

Laurie is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. Laurie joined because "it helped [her] as a person to overcome [her] fear of public speaking and save money for college." While working with TL@W Laurie has affected change in her community  by educating her peers on their workplace rights and supporting people in the community. Laurie wishes that all young people knew and had the opporunity to receive the benefit of the Teens Lead at Work program. Laurie wants to continue working with youth in the medical profession after college as a Pediatrician.

 

Whitley

Whitley is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W. She joined because she "wanted something positive to do while getting involved with [her] community." She has gained valuable time managment skills from her work and used her skills to be a voice for teens in the community. Her favorite memory of TL@W was her first LEAPS conference. Whitley hopes to join the medical profession after school.

 

Nhu

Nhu is a Senior Peer Leader at TL@W and the newest member of the MassCOSH board of directors. Nhu joined "to be able to empower [her] community, make a difference, meet new people and learn new skills that will help [her] grow through life. She has learned that her voice does matter when trying to affect change in her community and she can empower teens. Her favorite memory of TL@W was participating in her first LEAPS conference. Nhu has many interests. She loves wild cats, comic books, and would one day like to own her own business to sell things in Boston.

 

Lilibeth

Lilibeth "Lili" is a Peer Leader at TL@W. She joined to work with people around the community and meet new people. She has learned the significance of her rights and how to share them since coming here. She has used this knowledge to affect change by educating teens and their families about their rights. She wishes all young people knew how to stay safe at work. Her favorite memory at TL@W was planning an all staff-staff meeting which many co-workers complimented her on the good job she did. Lili is interested in the medical field because she loves to help people. She's also interested in criminal justice. 

 

Jessica T.

Jessica is a peer leader at TL@W. She joined so she could learn more about health and safety in the workplace and help teach others about it. She has leanred a lot about how to handle situations when it comes to your boss. She has handled many different workshops like a pro already. She has already begun to affect change in her community through these workshops. She loves to argue and always has to win and maybe one day she'll put it to use in law school. 

 

How do YOU affect change in YOUR community?
Tell Us About It.

How do I become a Peer Leader?

 

TL@W provides a valuable professional experience and fosters confidence and work ethic in its participants. This is a youth-led program that encourages each participant to develop to their full capacity. Each term, 8-10 teens apply for the position and are peer-selected with help from the TL@W coordinator. Students from age 14 to 17 are welcome to apply from neighborhoods throughout the Greater Boston area.

The Peer Leaders ask that you:

  • Be ready to work with others
  • Be friendly, energetic and thoughtful
  • Be a leader, not a follower
  • Be committed to the cause
  • Have an interest in your community

What the TL@W Experience Provides:

Teens Lead at Work Peer Leaders achieve success in the classroom, the workplace, and the community.

  • Peer Leaders become researchers in their own communities, honing their observation and listening skills to determine core objectives
  • They take part in the legislative process, gaining experience with the media, the state government, and making their vision a reality
  • They learn to work as a team, overcoming gender, racial, and cultural differences to form lasting friendships and develop an influential voice
  • They also learn to work as part of a coalition or an alliance, giving them an opportunity to mirror many workplace situations
  • They learn how to take strategic political action, using careful research, planning and timelines to develop and achieve their goals

Peer leaders are hired at various times throughout the year. Contact TL@W Coordinator Nancy Luc for information.