Cambridge Works Program Graduation Ceremony

 

Cambridge Works celebrated the accomplishments of its fourth class of participants during a recent ceremony at Cambridge City Hall today. Cambridge Works is a transitional jobs program designed to serve younger residents (age 18-35) who have not been able to get or keep jobs.  Coordinated through the Department of Human Service Program’s Office of Workforce Development, Cambridge Works provides participants a temporary job with the city, while also offering intensive case management, soft skills development and job search assistance to help participants secure an unsubsidized job upon program completion.

 

The program has been extremely successful due to tremendous support from city officials and the personal dedication and involvement of the staff that coordinate it, as well as the support of employer partners, including several city departments and Cambridge businesses. 

“The most important capital a city has is people and no other city invests in its people the way Cambridge does,” said Richard Harding, who served as master of ceremonies and was instrumental in developing and getting Cambridge Works off the ground, with support from then Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves.  Harding still serves as a program consultant.

Deputy City Manager Richard C. Rossi thanked the City departments and job site supervisors that enable the program to succeed, as well as the employer partners.  Rossi acknowledged the tremendous support of two partners, The Inn at Harvard and Spaulding Hospital, who sent representatives to share their experiences with the program.

Upon accepting his program completion certificate, participant Ronald Joseph thanked the staff for believing in him and noted, “This experience really opened my heart to what being positive can accomplish.”

Echoing similar comments, fellow participant Akeem Raphael said, “Prior to my 13 weeks at Cambridge Works, my life wasn’t anywhere near as productive as it is now.  Thank you Cambridge Works.”

Mayor David P. Maher acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the Office of Workforce Development staff (OWD) that coordinate Cambridge Works (Sue Walsh, Susan Mintz, Michael Merullo and Michelle Scott) under the direction of Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services.  Mayor Maher also commended City Manager Robert W. Healy for his support “behind the scenes” and allowing the program to develop into what it is today.

“This (program) epitomizes what Cambridge is all about, having an investment in you,” Maher said to the participants. “The skills you’ve learned and the confidence you’ve developed are going to be key in gaining employment.”