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

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National Grid Graduation Event

Our employer partner, National Grid, hosted a graduation event on March 7th for the National Grid Energy Infrastructure Academy (EIA) which develops career pathways for individuals who want to explore employment opportunities at National Grid. 21 participants graduated and 14 have been offered positions at National Grid.

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AYS Visit to Encore & Tourism Presentation

The CWS At Your Service (AYS) Hospitality Training Program is a 6-week course that prepares participants for a wide range of careers in the hospitality industry. In addition to in-class learning, the program also includes tours of local hospitality venues in the Boston area. Recently, the class visited Encore Resort & Casino in Everett, where they gained insights into the diverse job opportunities within the hospitality field.

In addition, the AYS students competed in a Tourism Presentation on February 27th. Each team presented a detailed tourism itinerary for a day in New England, which included a hotel, dining experience, and activity. The event was designed to mimic a gameshow atmosphere and helped students to develop key workplace skills such as collaboration, time management, communication, public speaking, and problem-solving. 3 staff members served as official judges and students were evaluated across multiple categories. All of the teams worked extremely hard on their projects and the winning team received gift cards.

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Employment Workshops

CWS recently held its second Employment Workshop for graduates of the Apex Clean Energy Institute (ACEI). The workshop offered tailored assistance with job applications and preparing employment documents. Both events have been very well attended and CWS plans to organize more workshops for ACEI graduates in the future.



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New Employee Spotlight

We are pleased to welcome Case Manager, Amanda Ofria, to CWS. Amanda has worked in the social services and substance treatment fields for several years and has extensive experience working with a wide range of underserved populations. In her role as a Case Manager, she focuses on supporting participants with disabilities, those who have had experience with the justice system, as well as migrants. In her free time, she enjoys working with emotional support rescue dogs. We are excited to have Amanda on our team.



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‍CWS Job Fair

CWS held a Job Fair on March 12th and welcomed many employers including Star Market, Encore Resort & Casino, Motivate Blue Bike, Hyatt Regency Cambridge, and Suffolk University. Over 50 CWS participants enjoyed connecting with recruiters and learning more about different job opportunities and new career pathways. CWS looks forward to hosting additional career fairs throughout the year.

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‍Boston Public Policy Forum

On February 27th, CWS staff attended the Boston Policy Forum 2025 Research + Action: Scaling Models to Center Community in the Justice System hosted by Northeastern University Law School and the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy. The conference featured presentations on key topics including reducing recidivism rates for returning citizens, creating programs that develop partnerships with Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) friendly employers, and resources to advance impactful collaborations. The CWS team also took part in an engaging group discussion on the ongoing need for services for incarcerated individuals approaching release.

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‍Participant Success Story

Kevin is working hard to rebuild his life after incarceration by taking various training classes and courses. He worried about how his background might impact his employment prospects, but he never gave up. He collaborated with his At Your Service (AYS) Hospitality Training Instructor to revamp his job search materials, including his resume, and dedicated time in the computer lab applying for jobs. His persistence paid off when he landed an interview with Fenway Park and accepted a job as an Usher toward the end of the AYS program. This is a great opportunity for Kevin to reintegrate into the workforce. This position is also conveniently close to his home and aligns with his interest in the hotel and hospitality industry. Kevin is a shining example of what life can be like after incarceration, offering hope to others that they too can have a second chance!



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New Save The Date!

The CWS “City of Champions” 2025 Awards Celebration is officially set for Thursday, September 25th, at the Hyatt Regency Boston. We look forward to seeing all of our friends and dedicated supporters at this celebratory event!

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