Est. 1997 • Non-Profit Org • Vol. V
Equip. Encourage. Empower. — Winter Edition 2025
About The Organization
Established to equip, encourage, and empower
BOLD Teens advocating
B.O.L.D. TEENS
ADVOCATING IN THE
COMMUNITY SINCE
1997
Who We Are
BOLD stands for Breath of Life Dorchester. We are youth between the ages 14-18 working to improve the quality of life in our community through education, service and advocacy. Our focus is on social, health and environmental justice.
📍 Dorchester, MA 02124 • 617-265-4189
ARTICLE BY Cynthia Loesh
A Legacy of Courage from a small group in Dorchester to a national model for youth advocacy. The Breath of Life Dorchester (BOLD) Teens movement began in 1997 with just four motivated individuals personally impacted by tobacco-related illnesses. What started as a focused effort to protect families from tobacco exposure blossomed into a comprehensive social and environmental justice powerhouse. Through tireless advocacy, including landmark victories against industry giants and the passing of critical public health legislation, BOLD Teens has redefined what youth leadership looks like in the 21st century.
Reverend Bill Loesch, a dedicated Dorchester community leader and activist, played an instrumental role in the formation and sustained success of BOLD Teens. With a deep background in civil rights, social justice, and pastoral care, Rev. Loesch believed fiercely in the power of grassroots, youth-led organizing. Rather than speaking on behalf of the youth, he dedicated himself to providing them with the necessary tools, platforms, and education they needed to speak for themselves. Under his mentorship, the BOLD Teens learned vital community organizing tactics, public speaking skills, and legislative advocacy. His vision provided a safe and supportive space for young people to tackle systemic inequalities in their own backyards—ranging from environmental racism to public health disparities. By treating youth as equal partners in the fight for justice, Rev. Loesch helped cultivate a generation of confident, capable leaders who continue to shape Dorchester and inspire communities nationwide. his legacy lives on through his daughter Cynthia Loesch-Johnson. She continues to advance the efforts of the BOLD Teens. She was one of the founding members of the BOLD Teens in 1997 and championed the BOLD Teens campaigns as a youth advocate and coordinator. She presently serves as the lead mentor and advisor for the BOLD teens and organization.
Our Partners
Organizations working alongside BOLD. Teens
Additional Community Partners
CODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL ACE/REEP ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW B-SMART BOSTON URBAN ASTHMA COALITION COMMONWEALTH CHALLENGE MASSCOSH NORTH OF BOSTON FARM RIVERDALE FARM SPEAK FOR THE TREES URBAN ECOLOGY INSTITUTE YOUTH ACTION INITIATIVE YOUTH IN ACTION
Awards & Recognition
27 Years of Recognized Excellence
Breath of Life Dorchester (“BOLD”) Teens started with four teens in the community personally impacted by tobacco related illnesses within their families. They wanted to prevent others from losing their lives from tobacco use or exposure.
Their first major campaign convinced the Boston Globe to stop advertising tobacco products.
Celebrated Fenway Park going smoke free. Began campaign to ban tobacco in pharmacies. Won the Youth Advocate of the Year Award from the National Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
The group “evolved” into Breath of Life Dorchester Teens to broaden their concerns to air quality, greenspace, and social/environmental justice including climate extremes.
Worked with the Boston Public Health Commission to make Boston smoke-free in May 2003, followed by a statewide ban in July 2004.
BOLD developed its own warning labels to educate the community on toxins found in cigarettes, years before the FDA developed graphic warning labels.
BOLD expanded its focus to increase peace and reduce crime and violence, partnering with the Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC).
Created Youth Police Connection (YPC). Active in passing fire safe cigarette legislation in MA. Assigned by Gov. Patrick to develop a statewide youth council.
Supported creation of the Codman Square Farmers Market. Successfully led campaign for a Boston Board of Health regulation to ban tobacco in pharmacies.
FDA regulation of tobacco products via the Family Smoking Prevention Act. BOLD received the Community Leadership Award from the EPA.
The first Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products met with BOLD Teens to discuss their warning labels on his first trip outside of D.C.
Received a prestigious statewide award from the Massachusetts Public Health Association.
Recognized by the Boston Globe for its 8-year campaign to ban the sale of tobacco products in Boston pharmacies.
Successfully worked to raise the legal tobacco sale age to 21 in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to ban all flavored tobacco products including menthol.
A BOLD Teen Alumnus takes on a major City of Boston Leadership Role, continuing the legacy of service.
Dedicated work to bring more healthy food options and nutritional security to the local community.
Volunteers donate hands and time to improve and restore Loesch Family Park for the neighborhood.
Current teens sound the alarm on illicit vape sales, continuing the fight for a healthy and safe community.