Special Report:

YouthWorks

Summer Successes

YouthWorks Participation & Demographics: Summer 22

YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults get the skills and experience they need to find and keep jobs. The program serves income-eligible youth ages 14 - 21 who live in targeted cities across Massachusetts. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements at public, private, and non-profit worksites. The program is offered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered statewide by the Commonwealth Corporation. It is coordinated locally through the MCRWB and managed on their behalf in Worcester by the WCAC, in Milford by the Milford Youth Center, and in Southbridge by the Center of Hope.

Worcester Youth Leadership Institute Returns to In-Person Training and Career Development

Since 2014, hundreds of students from area high schools and colleges have participated in the Worcester Youth Leadership Institute.

Following two summers of hybrid programming, this Summer 25 WYLI students ages 15-21 returned to the in-person, six-week program during which they participated in the Worcester YouthWorks employment program at City Hall or nonprofits, visited regional industries and businesses, and met with mentors and business leaders.

“The goal is simple--to expose Worcester’s young people to the businesses, leaders, mentors, and possibilities in their communities,” said Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Institute is a partnership between the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, MCRWB, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, United Families for Change, WCAC, and the City of Worcester’s Youth Opportunities Office with support from Clark University, DCU, GFI Partners, and Reliant Medical Group, program sponsors.

"With the help of our partners, we're able to offer these motivated students an extended learning experience outside of the typical workday. Through this unique experience, we hope to develop in them--and others--a greater appreciation for our community," said Jeff Turgeon, Executive Director, MCRWB.

Milford Youth Center Capitalizes on Summer YouthWorks Partnership

With funding received as a YouthWorks summer partner through the MCRWB, the Milford Youth Center employed 17 income eligible youth. Youth participated in more than 120 hours of work and career readiness training, including the signal success program to develop workplace skills.

A second year MYC YouthWorks participant, Paige worked PT last summer at Milford Food Service. After this experience, Paige applied for and landed a job at the Milford Youth Center where she completed her co-op High School requirements.

This year, Paige worked at MYC's Summer Camp, fostering relationships with Blackstone Valley area youth. Her success as a summer camp staffer earned her an interview for SCI-AmeriCorps. She landed a position through the program, enabling her to continue working at MYC.

After graduating from Milford HS, Paul joined the MYC YouthWorks program and worked this summer with the Milford Highway Department. Paul learned all about the MHD's diverse activities and got a hands-on understanding of the needs of his community. Based on his performance, motivation, and can-do spirit, Paul was offered a job with the MHD to their crew full time seasonally. MYC Assistant Director Emily Stienstra said, "We can't decide who's more excited about Paul's offer to work with the MHD--Paul or us!"

WCAC Collaboration Paces YouthWorks Participation

Serving 372 youth this summer, the Worcester Community Action Council paced YouthWorks program participation. Collaborations with the Worcester Public Schools, regional Innovation Pathways Programs, and diverse employer partners generated youth placements across industries including healthcare, childcare, graphic design, vehicle technicians, maintenance and groundskeeping, and camp counselors. (Photos and success stories courtesy of WCAC)

WCAC YouthWorks Summer 22 Success Stories

Along with providing Worcester YouthWorks participants valuable experience and professional development skills, they earned almost $800K in wages. More success stories below.

WCAC's YouthWorks Summer program launched in June at the JMAC in Worcester. In addition to hearing rousing remarks from community leaders like Jorge Sierra (above, L) Acting City Manager Eric D. Batista (above, R) told attendees about the value of their participation in YouthWorks.

Photo collage from WCAC's 2nd Annual Talent Showcase and Job Fair at Polar Park in June 2022.

WCAC's 2nd Annual Talent Showcase and Job Fair on August 10 at Polar Park. Attended by 25 employers and more than 100 job seekers, the event connected more than 50 YouthWorks participants not returning to school in Fall 2022 with potential employers seeking to fill year-round positions.

YouthGROW Sows Youth Growth

This summer, YouthWorks partnered again with the REC to support youth in Worcester's highly successful YouthGROW program. YouthGROW employs 32-40 high school teens (ages 14-18) year-round who gain leadership and jobs skills while maintaining two urban organic farms. YouthGROWers complete a curriculum that includes professional development, leadership skills, urban agriculture, and social justice. The 6-week summer session also offered monthly workshops, internships, and community service. Watch the video!

New Documentary Highlights Worcester Youth Cooperatives

Worcester Youth Cooperatives (WYC)--a grassroots network of cooperatives and serve-the-people programs designed to address social issues in our communities--is showcased in the documentary, "Radix: Youth Build Solidarity and Worker-Ownership in the Midst of the Pandemic." Directed by Andi Lipo, an Albanian native raised in Worcester, the documentary follows the story of WYC, a nonprofit founded in 2020 by six local high school seniors seeking to address systemic issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. WYC is 100% founded and run by youth in Worcester, MA. Discover more about WYC.

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