Regional organizations entertain and educate YouthWorks participants: Scroll down for more Career Pathways success stories!
More than a thousand youths from the City of Worcester and throughout Central MA enjoyed fun and educational activities, programs, and events this summer. Starting in late May with “Senior Scoop” at Polar Park and ending in late August, regional organizations like Rec Worcester, the Worcester Community Action Coalition, the Milford Youth Center, the Center of Hope in Southbridge, and the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development tapped and applied YouthWorks funds to provide meaningful and memorable leadership development experiences for older youths ages 14-25.
- Rec Worcester: This free, six-week summer program for Worcester youth ages 7-12 is offered through the City of Worcester’s Division of Youth Opportunities . Rec Worcester took place in five public parks across the city. Rec Worcester employed more than 30 youth aged 14-25 for eight weeks (two weeks training + six weeks program) funded through YouthWorks. These staff enabled Rec Worcester to provide more than 200 hours of free and accessible recreational programming for 970 youth ages 7-12. Participants also received free breakfast and lunch daily from Worcester Public Schools and Friendly House. Rec Worcester’s enrollment grew 10% over 2024. Commenting on Rec Worcester’s structure and leadership, one parent said:
“This program has been a true blessing. My children are not only safe, but they’re also learning, growing, and enjoying every moment. It brings me peace of mind knowing they’re in such good hands.”
- WCAC: Hosted about 342 participants at 59 worksites from July 7 – August 15. WCAC’s program uses tiers to give participants age-appropriate job awareness, exposure, and immersion. Tiers are based on participants’ age, prior work experience, and program goals; tier placements determine weekly work hours, pay rate, and where participants work. WCAC’s robust relationships with regional employers have made their YouthWorks program a model for others across the Commonwealth. WCAC’s employer partners this summer included Refugees & Immigrants Cultural Empowerment Massachusetts (RICEMA), Exotic King Garage, and its largest, the Regional Environmental Council, which hosted 21 youth at its YouthGrow farm.
- MYC: The Milford Youth Center leveraged its partnership with MassHire and Commonwealth Corporation to employ 19 eligible Milford youth. Program participants worked at the Milford Parks Department, Milford Town Library, Milford Youth Center, Nutriforia Nutrition, We All Hoop, Bob’s Marina and Sweet Inspirations. At each location, they learned what it’s like to have a job, participated in weekly job readiness programming, and got presentations and perspectives about business leaders’ respective educational and career pathways. Discover more about MYC’s Summer YouthWorks program.
YouthWorks is funded through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and administered statewide by the Commonwealth Corporation. Locally it is coordinated through the MCRWB and managed by our partners the WCAC, the Center of Hope, the City of Worcester Division of Youth Opportunities, the Milford Youth Center and the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development. The YouthWorks’ summer program is 6-8-weeks; the year-round program is September to May. Both programs serve youth ages 14-25. YouthWorks programs use the Signal Success curriculum to help participants learn, practice, and develop work, academic, and life skills.
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