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Mayor Walsh launches SPARK Boston to better engage millennial population

May 20, 2016

This week Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the launch of SPARK Boston, formerly known as the Mayor's ONEin3 initiative, to help draw a larger and more diverse range of Boston's millennials into civic participation. The rebranding is part of a concerted effort by the City of Boston to better engage, communicate and collaborate with residents between the ages of 20-34, a demographic that comprises over a third of the city's overall population.
 
"The City of Boston's vibrant and diverse millennial population is one of our greatest assets," said Mayor Walsh. "We know that our young people care deeply about this city and its future, and we recognize the need for new tools and strategies to interact with them. It is our intention through SPARK Boston to tap into the energy and creativity of our young leaders to encourage them to rethink civic engagement and empower them to have an impact, make a different and spark change in their own communities."  
 
SPARK Boston builds on Mayor Walsh's proactive engagement of Boston's young adults by encouraging their active participation in the city's policies and programs. Young adults make up about 45 percent of eligible voters and nearly half of the city's workforce. They are an economic engine, adding $1 billion annually in goods and services to Boston.  
 
"Since 2004, ONEin3 has been helping young adults build relationships and strengthen their personal and professional networks here in Boston," said Erin Santhouse, Director of SPARK Boston. "While this remains a vital function of the program, SPARK Boston will focus on engaging the next generation of civic leaders and social entrepreneurs in the work of city government. This will shape how the City designs and develops policies, convenes stakeholders for important initiatives, and works collaboratively with young people to shape Boston's future."  
 
For more information about SPARK Boston, visit the new website or follow on Twitter. 

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