Cambridge Works, the City of Cambridge’s transitional jobs program for younger residents (age 18-35) who haven’t been able to get or keep jobs, celebrated its 23rd graduating class during a special ceremony December 13.
The highly successful program provides a temporary job with the City of Cambridge, and/or other partner employers, while also offering intensive case management, soft skills development and job search assistance to help participants secure an unsubsidized job upon program completion. Cambridge Works is coordinated through the Office of Workforce Development, a part of the Department of Human Services Program (DHSP).
For many Cambridge Works participants, the job skills they learn, the experience they gain, and the support they receive from city staff and classmates can be life changing, affording them a much needed second chance in many cases.
Master of Ceremonies Richard Harding, a Program Coordinator at Cambridge Public Health Department added his thanks to the city administration and City Council for their longstanding support of this program that is unique in the state and has made a tremendous difference to some younger Cambridge residents who needed a helping hand in developing work skills to give them a chance at success.
Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale added his thanks to the City Council, the dedicated Cambridge Works staff, the city department partners, and especially to the external employer partners, stressing that this program would not exist without them. This cycle marks the first time that private sector employers played a larger role than city departments in providing internships. Worksites included Cambridge Brands, Inc; Mount Auburn Hospital – which hosted 2 interns; New England Development; Taza Chocolate; and two MIT offices – the MIT Investment Management Company and the Office of the Vice President for Finance.
“The Cambridge Works Program is just one of the many workforce development efforts that the city runs to help our residents with their employment needs,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “I am proud of how closely our staff work with the private and non-profit sectors to connect residents with jobs and job training. The City Council is as committed as our city staff to find ways that we can provide Cambridge residents with pathways to good paying jobs within Cambridge and the region. I strongly believe that the make-up of our workforce should reflect the vibrant diversity of the Cambridge community.”
Assistant City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff celebrated the Cambridge Works staff. “This team works hard to create opportunities for the residents who need it most and then works to make sure these residents are prepared to access those opportunities,” said Semonoff. The Cambridge Works program places Cambridge residents, ages 18-35 with multiple barriers to employment, in three-month internship. The barriers can include gaps in the work history, no work history, or a CORI (criminal offender record information). The experience of learning to work by working is supplemented with four hours of professional development workshops per week in addition to weekly check ins with a case manager to help program participants deal with the issues in their life that get in the way of going to work consistently.
Several former Cambridge Works graduates attended the ceremony to provide words of advice and encouragement to the new graduates. “Before Cambridge Works, I had just been released from jail, and had no work history or skills to speak of,” said former participant David Cohen. “Since graduating (from Cambridge Works), I’ve gotten married, have two kids, two jobs, and my own business. I had been rejected, but the thing is you can’t give up. Just stay focused and keep hustling.”
Below are a few comments from some of the speeches by the Cambridge Works graduates:
“Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t when I didn’t believe in myself.” -- Chaniqua
“I wouldn’t be here today without the support of the staff at Cambridge Works.” -- Brianna
“Thank you for giving me the chance to show you what I’m capable of.” -- Brandon
“Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone to be a better person.” – Ayannna
For more information about Cambridge Works or other Cambridge employment programs for adults, call Allyson J. Allen, Adult Employment Director, Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs at 617-349-6345.
Photo: Cambridge Works Graduates with Cambridge city staff and officials.
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 4 years ago.
