WPY UPDATES

School-Year Internship Programming, Annual Meeting Recap, and More

Annual Meeting Recap

Thank you to the many community partners, funders, and new supporters who joined us for our 2026 Annual Meeting! We spent the morning showcasing our organizational updates and strengthening old and new connections that help to sustain our youth programming.

We'd like to extend a special thank you to Ari Raad, our alumna speaker. Ari, now a first year student at Suffolk University, reflected on her personal leadership growth via her experience with WPY's Teen Mental Health Alliance internship:

“I think WPY supplied me with so many tools to bring with me to college; like my comfort with public speaking, how to problem solve in a team, coordinate events and activities, and what it’s like to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

Thank you to our partners at Boston Children's Hospital for hosting and sponsoring this event! Boston Children's Hospital embodies deep community partnership by supporting WPY with event sponsorship, facilitating educational opportunities for youth, serving as one of our most popular Summer Internship Program placements each summer, and so much more.

To watch a full recording of Ari's alumna speech, click below.

Career Exploration & Training (CET)

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

WPY staff had fun tabling at Waltham High School's Back to School Night. It was great to catch up with teachers, caregivers, and students!

We're excited to announce that the WPY 2026-2027 School-Year Internship Program application is now open! We are currently hiring for two placements:

STEM Forward Program (November 2026-May 2027)

Hiring 10 interns as STEM Associates

Through this program, students will have the chance to explore fields such as data science, life sciences, and conservation while building technical, professional, and interpersonal skills. Interns, known as STEM Associates, will take part in hands-on, project-based work connected to real community needs. Projects may include analyzing local environmental data, designing engaging science activities for other students, and developing STEM job skills while serving the Waltham community. Interns will be paid $15 per hour and will work up to 5 hours per week. Participants must be at least 15 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.

Teen Mental Health Alliance Internship Program

(Fall Cohort: November 2026-February 2027 OR Spring Cohort: February 2027-May 2027)

Hiring 24 interns as Peer Associates (12 per cohort)

The Teen Mental Health Alliance Internship Program builds a community of trained high school students who serve as mental health first-aiders in Waltham. Through this internship, the program supports two cohorts of WHS students in developing skills and knowledge related to mental health, and provides interns with career exploration and professional development opportunities within the mental health care field, with the ultimate goal of supporting the next generation of mental health professionals. Interns will be paid $15 per hour and will work up to 4 hours per week at WHS. Participants must be at least 15 years old and authorized to work in the U.S. 

The CET Team is available on October 1st to support students with creating resumes and cover letters for the application. Students can sign up for a session here.

Students new to WPY apply with this link. Returning students, check your email for your personalized link. All applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter. In your cover letter, please specify which position you are applying for. Also, explain why you are interested in our program, what you hope to learn from the experience, and what skills, passions, or interests you would contribute to the program. Applications close on Monday, October 5th at 11:59pm.

Career Exploration & Training Program Reports

Our Career Exploration & Training 2025-2026 School-Year Internship Program Report and 2026 Summer Internship Program Report are now available! Check out the reports for an in-depth look at these CET programs.

Wraparound Waltham

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

WPY's Family & Student Engagement Senior Coordinator, Marlen Godinez, joining Waltham Valor High School on a recent field trip.

The Wraparound team has stayed busy this September with tabling Back to School Nights across Waltham Public Schools . The team has been overjoyed to meet families of K-12 students across the district and share how the Welcome Center can support them along the way. Additionally, Wraparound staff piloted offering monthly office hours at Stanley Elementary School, expanding WPY's accessibility to elementary, middle, and high school families in the district.

Earlier in September, National Grid restarted their monthly office hours with WPY, continuing to help families navigate and understand their gas bills. See the Opportunities for Youth and Community Members section for more details.



The Wraparound team also continues to partner closely with Waltham Valor High School. WPY's Family & Student Engagement Senior Coordinator, Marlen Godinez, recently accompanied Valor High School staff and students on a field trip to Hale Academy, where students enjoyed the outdoors and participated in team-building activities. The Wraparound Team will also be at Valor's Back to School Night on September 30th, alongside other community partners, to share resources with Valor students and their families.

Wraparound 2025-2026 Program Report

Opportunities for Youth and

Community Members:

National Grid at the Welcome Center

National Grid Customer Advocates will be available to meet with community members at McDevitt Middle School the second Tuesday of each month this fall from 3:30-5:30pm.

Please reach out to Marlen or Bebelin with questions.

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Wayside Youth and Family Support Network is offering a free youth mental health first aid training on October 24, 2026 from 9:15am - 4:30pm. Please contact Stephanie Sunderland with any questions.

Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey

Click the link below to take the Massachusetts Community Equity Survey! This survey is an anonymous, state-wide questionnaire from the Department of Public Health. It is an opportunity for community members to give feedback on local health programs and help decide where state funding is allocated.

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You can give to WPY via your Donor-Advised

Fund (DAF) on our website.

WPY's EIN is 04-3399437