South Street Youth Center empowers young people through mentorship, creativity, education, and opportunity. Today, we are asking our community to help keep the doors open for the next generation of leaders, artists, and changemakers.

Overview

Step into the Sneaker Ball, formal fits, fresh kicks, music & culture. Celebrate 30 years of SSYC in the community. Dress up, stand out!

SSYC & TNG PRESENTS

THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY MUSIC, ART & FASHION SNEAKER BALL

“A Youth Fashion & Music Experience”

For nearly 30 years, South Street Youth Center has been a safe space, creative hub, and second home for generations of Boston youth and now we’re bringing the city together for one unforgettable night celebrating culture, creativity, fashion, music, and community impact.

Welcome to the SSYC Sneaker Ball where formal wear meets streetwear, runway meets block party, and young creatives take center stage.

This high-energy experience will feature live music performances, fashion showcases, DJs, photography, art, video projections, creative brand activations, and youth-led storytelling in a space designed to celebrate the next generation of Boston leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in formal attire paired with their freshest sneakers for a night filled with style, culture, networking, laughter, and inspiration.

More than just an event, the Sneaker Ball is a fundraiser dedicated to keeping the doors of South Street Youth Center open and free to the public while sustaining critical youth jobs and opportunities throughout the City of Boston. Every ticket purchased directly supports life-changing programs that provide mentorship, workforce development, academic support, and creative learning opportunities for young people year-round.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS FUND:
• The National College Tour
• The Annual Family 5K Run
• Homework Help & Academic Support
• Culinary Arts Programming
• A 6-Week Business 101 & Digital Media Internship
• Photography, Podcasting & Video Production
• Audio Engineering & Music Production Training
• Hands-on access to industry-standard creative software and equipment that prepare youth for college, careers, and entrepreneurship

Founded in 1996 in response to violence impacting the South Street Development in Jamaica Plain, SSYC has grown into a trusted community institution serving primarily youth from low-income families throughout Boston. Over the years, SSYC and The New Generation (TNG) have partnered with schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and organizations across the city to provide youth with real-world creative experiences through music videos, podcasting, fashion, filmmaking, photography, and digital media projects.

Beyond digital media, our youth act as a premier design and production house, collaborating with local businesses, non-profits, and community groups to create custom apparel for their specific events and branding needs. Our young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind the TNG brand. They manage the entire creative lifecyclefrom conceptualizing and making original graphic designs to producing the final high-quality apparel and murals.

SSYC was proudly recognized by the Boston Celtics as a “Hero Among Us” for our National College Tour and commitment to youth success. We are also proud to celebrate a 100% high school graduation rate among teens enrolled in our high school programming.

This is more than a gala.
This is more than a fashion show.
This is a celebration of 30 years of impact and an investment in the future of Boston youth.

FORMAL ATTIRE + SNEAKERS ENCOURAGED
LIVE MUSIC • FASHION • CULTURE • COMMUNITY • ART • PERFORMANCE

COME CELEBRATE THE MOVEMENT.

Support Our Mission

30th Year Gala and Sneakerball

Support the next generation of leaders, artists, and changemakers