WPY UPDATES

Career Exploration & Training (CET)

Connecting students to life-altering career development opportunities through meaningful paid internship experiences.

Pictured above: Aydin at his WPY Summer Internship placement, Brandeis University Department of Student Engagement, where he is helping to plan VolunteerFest, Freshman Orientation, and more!

Our Summer Internship Program is in full swing! One of the highlights? Site visits! Our CET team loves checking in with employers and seeing their interns in action. Follow the WPY Instagram account to see students' weekly Instagram takeovers. Each week, an intern from a different placement takes over our account to give you a sneak peek into their daily adventures. Catch up on the previous takeovers on the highlights section of our Instagram profile. 

As part of the Summer 2024 program, interns are also attending Career Talks. These paid workshops cover everything from professional communication and financial literacy to workplace mentorship and the art of active listening. Hosted by our staff, employer partners, board members, and community volunteers, these talks are designed to build skills and confidence. Career Talks also offer an opportunity to prepare for life after the summer internship program. Last week, this included interns having a semi-professional headshot taken by WPY staff members.

We're more than halfway through the program and can't wait to celebrate with all interns, employers, parents, and other supporters at our Closing Ceremony on August 8th, from 3-5pm.

Shark Tank Presentations at Teen Mental Health Alliance

Wraparound Waltham

Collaborating to create a community of belonging and opportunity for newcomer immigrant students and their families.

Pictured above: Wraparound Senior Coordinator, Alexa Cuellar, with Wraparound Student Leader, Daniel.



The Waltham Welcome Center kicked off July programming by collaborating with a Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Specialist to host an information session regarding public benefits, such as SNAP. The Welcome Center has also partnered with Waltham Fields Community Farm to distribute fresh produce vouchers for 16 families so far this summer!

The Wraparound team is also excited to be hosting a WPY Summer Internship Program intern, Daniel, who is working as the Wraparound Student Leader. Daniel is a former Wraparound student and recent Waltham High School graduate; he previously participated in other WPY programming, including the Welcome Class, Grupo Monarca support group for newcomer immigrant students, and the Roses in Concrete leadership and mentorship program for BIPOC students. During his summer internship, Daniel is supporting WPY's Summer Soccer Group (see more below!), co-facilitating the Summer Grupo Monarca, and assisting with other WPY-Wraparound projects as needed. The Wraparound team is proud to have a previous Wraparound student working as a student leader! 

WPY's Summer Soccer Group for newcomer immigrant rising 9th graders started on July 16th. This fun and dynamic group is an opportunity for newcomer students who will be transitioning to high school in the fall to build relationships with each other and with Spanish-speaking adults at the High School. Big thanks to staff from both McDevitt Middle School and Waltham High School for joining our sessions and making this such a rich experience for participants!

The Summer Grupo Monarca support group for newcomer students also started this month. We have hosted sessions in the Waltham Commons with picnic blankets, snacks, and even some pizza! Wraparound students had a blast getting to know each other outside of the school environment; they exchanged some stories from their home countries and even had some healthy competition while playing giant UNO and Jenga! 

Opportunities for Youth and

Community Members:

Mobile Outreach Market - Fresh Produce for Low-Income Families

Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) invites self-identifying low-income residents of Waltham to purchase a share of locally grown vegetables for $5. Cash, SNAP, HIP benefits, and WFCF vouchers are accepted.

Youth Advisory Council Listening Sessions

The Governor’s Youth Council is organizing 2 statewide virtual Listening Sessions for youth ages 16-21 to discuss challenges and opportunities facing youth in the Commonwealth. 

The Governor’s Youth Advisory Council Statewide Listening Session

Location: Virtual

Listening Session 1 --

Wednesday, July 31st at 2:00pm

Listening Session 2 --

Thursday, August 1st at 5:30pm

Please RSVP here --

Tuesday, July 30^th

Welcome Center Summer Hours

From now until the end of August, the Welcome Center will be open from 11-2pm, Monday-Thursday. The Welcome Center is located in the front lobby of McDevitt Middle School.



Please contact WPY Welcome Center Coordinator, Marlen Godinez, with questions!

Summer Eats with Waltham Boys & Girls Club

The Waltham Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) is partnering with Project Bread, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and community corporate partners to ensure free meals are accessible to kids and teens across Waltham through Summer Eats. Meals are available until August 16 at the above locations in Waltham. WPY is excited that we have six summer interns who are supporting the WBGC and their Summer Eats initiative!

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