Learn more about our special events, programs, grants, and success stories. 

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Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Convening

CWS staff recently attended MassCEC's 3rd Annual Fall In-Person Convening at Devens Common Center. Grantees enjoyed an interactive day of learning, planning, presentations, strategizing, and networking opportunities.

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Participant Holiday Lunch‍

On December 12th, CWS hosted its annual Participant Appreciation Holiday Lunch, a special event to honor the incredible individuals we serve. Over 75 participants attended the event. CWS team members helped to serve a delicious meal prepared by the Culinary Team, which included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful meal and the opportunity to connect with friends at this festive event.

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CWS Job Fair

On November 13th, CWS held a job fair and welcomed representatives from a wide range of organizations including Star Market, Boston Medical Center, Ivy Street School, and Courtyard Marriott. Participants enjoyed meeting with recruiters and learning more about different employment opportunities and new career pathways. CWS looks forward to hosting additional career fairs in the upcoming year.

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Commercial Cleaning Program

The CWS Commercial Cleaning Training Program provides participants with a wide range of skills needed to secure different positions in the professional cleaning industry. Pictured here, Commercial Cleaning Instructor, Jose Figueroa, helps a participant learn how to use a buffer to clean and maintain floors.



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Art Workshop

CWS has a long history of supporting participants in recovery and recently hosted a special art workshop in partnership with the Let's Give It Up Foundation and Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR). Art Therapist, Karlie Westmoreland, led the group in a two-hour painting workshop that helped to connect them with tools for creative self-expression that can support strong recovery pathways.



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New Employee Spotlight

CWS is excited to welcome Christina Polcari as our new Employment Specialist. Christina comes to CWS with over 25 years of experience as a Social Worker in the medical and long-term care industry. For the last 3.5 years she worked for a company that obtained health insurance for the uninsured in states that have not expanded Medicaid. In that role, she felt it was a privilege to help so many people from all different walks of life. Coming to CWS, she brings extensive experience working with diverse populations with a wide range of challenges. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her spouse and 2 adopted daughters ages 18 and 10, biking, hiking, swimming, and watching Harry Potter movies.

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National Grid Energy Infrastructure Academy‍

On November 19th, National Grid held a graduation event for the National Grid Energy Infrastructure Academy (EIA). National Grid Vice President, Strategy Development and Partnerships, Amanda Downey, pictured above, gave a powerful speech to graduates and connected with them on a personal level.

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Participant Success Story

Deline Leandre, a 29-year-old Haitian mother of two, arrived in the United States in 2023 with a dream of building a better life for her family. Despite facing language barriers and limited resources, Deline’s determination never wavered.

With the support of the CWS team, Deline enrolled in the At Your Service - Hotel & Hospitality Training Program and earned a prestigious American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) certification. This accomplishment opened doors to a new career path, and today, Deline proudly works as an assistant teacher at a local YMCA, positively impacting the lives of young children. Her success is a powerful example of the difference that community support and training can make. At CWS, we empower individuals like Deline to break through barriers and reach their full potential.

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Happy New Year

We are very grateful for all of our wonderful participants, partners, donors, volunteers, and friends. Best wishes for 2025!