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

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CWS Winter Graduation Ceremony

CWS recently held a graduation event to celebrate graduates from our many different training programs. In addition, we presented our community funding partner, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) with the Partnership Award, which was accepted by Senior Program Manager, Edward Hsieh. Program graduates, friends and family, community partners, and employer partners all enjoyed refreshments prepared by our Culinary Team.

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At Your Service (AYS) Training Program

The CWS At Your Service (AYS) Program provides extensive training focused on preparing participants for employment placements in a wide range of hospitality organizations including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. AYS continues to be a very popular training program, and we are pleased to present our graduates with certifications that help them to find well-paying jobs with opportunities for career growth.

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Reimagining Reentry Training Programs

CWS currently operates two "Reimagining Reentry" Training Programs within the Suffolk County House of Correction. Our Building Maintenance/Commercial Cleaning Program and our Food Arts Program have received the vigorous support of Sheriff Steven Tompkins. Sheriff Tompkins believes in the philosophy of Reimagining Reentry where returning citizens are involved in all levels of the program implementation process.

Our programs have been very well received within the facility. Proof of this are the growing waiting lists for enrolment in our programs. With dozens of men and women waiting for enrolment CWS faced a dilemma in the form of "How can we expand the programming?" The CWS Leadership Group proposed an idea to support expansion efforts: "Could we run two class cycles a day?" Our Team ran with this idea, met with the Sheriff's Team, and with a little planning and adjustment we are pleased to share that we will soon be offering both morning and afternoon sessions of both Building Maintenance/Commercial Cleaning and Food Arts! Great things are ahead for these innovative training programs.

Honorable Massachusetts State Senator James Eldridge, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has asked that CWS afford him a tour of our Reimagining Reentry Programs at the Suffolk County House of Correction. An April tour date is being scheduled and CWS truly values Senator Eldridge's tangible support of our work with returning citizens. CWS is also grateful to our Reentry Program supporters including Commonwealth Corporation and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) for providing integral funds.

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Training Migrants at CWS

With the recent influx of migrants to the Boston area, there is a significant need for employment training and job placement assistance. CWS is pleased to provide vocational training and related employment services to this group as they prepare for employment. Having access to specialized workforce training programs and related support services are essential components of strong resettlement pathways that support employment placements and help individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency and successfully integrate into the community.

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Art Therapy Workshop

On January 19th, CWS staff and participants had the opportunity to engage in a dynamic art therapy workshop hosted by our new community partner, The Let’s Give It Up Foundation. The Foundation provides individuals with a supportive and creative path to recovery through the power of music and the arts. CWS continues to work with many individuals in recovery and is grateful to have additional recovery resources and tools.

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CWS Career Opportunities

As one of the oldest non-profit agencies in Boston, we take pride in our commitment to overcoming barriers to economic well-being and creating a positive impact in the community. If you are interested in joining our team, we are always looking for additional dedicated team members. Currently, we are recruiting for:

• Case Manager: Empower individuals by providing support, resources, and guidance to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

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Participant Success Story‍

Originally from Haiti, Bony, age 37, and his family made the difficult decision to leave their home due to safety concerns and a lack of employment prospects. He and his family first traveled to Chile in search of a new home. From there, they were able to come to Massachusetts with the support of a faith-based organization. This organization has helped Bony, his wife, and children ages 4, 6, 11, and 14 to secure transitional housing in a hotel and provided information on local vocational training programs.

In January, Bony enrolled in our Job Readiness Training (JRT) class to build his career skills and prepare for employment in the US. He is fluent in Creole, Spanish, and English, and throughout his time in JRT he was extremely motivated and served as a liaison for the class. He provided essential translation support, helped to distribute flyers, and assisted with test preparation activities. In addition, he also helped to organize transportation support for other migrants to ensure that they could attend our training programs. Bony and his fellow migrant classmates travel together for an estimated 2 hours a day to attend trainings at CWS.

After successfully completing JRT, Bony continues to serve as a participant worker providing translation assistance to our migrant participants. To further advance his marketable skills, he recently enrolled in our Solar Training Class. We are very excited to continue to help Bony as he focuses on developing new career pathways for the future.

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