Youth
Empowerment
Enrichment and job-readiness programs that help teens in public housing succeed in school and work.
The Need in Our Community
Many residents in Cambridge public housing face significant barriers such as economic hardship, housing instability, and limited access to educational and career opportunities. These challenges can make it difficult for families to break the cycle of poverty and for young people to see clear pathways to success.
The Resident Services programs are designed to meet these needs head-on, offering academic support, job training, mentorship, and career preparation that empower youth and adults to achieve greater stability and independence. By providing both direct services and strong community partnerships, we help residents build the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
Creating Pathways Forward
Youth
Career
Preparation
Training and partnerships that build employment skills and open career pathways for youth and young adults.
Adult
Self-Sufficiency
Programs and collaborations that support lifelong learning, vocational growth, and economic independence.
Community
Investment
The Empowerment Fund ensures sustainable support to break cycles of poverty for future generations.
The Work Force Youth Program
The Work Force is a comprehensive after-school educational enrichment and work-readiness program for low-income teens in Cambridge public housing.
Partnerships
CHA's Resident Services Department, together with many of the City's service organizations, offers a host of educational, vocational and self sufficiency programs for adult residents and voucher holders.
This Way ONward
This Way ONward (formerly This Way Ahead) is a rigorous work readiness training program for youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Through a partnership with Old Navy, Cambridge Housing Authority offers intensive customer service workshops led by program coordinators who teach basic employment skills, as well as skills specific to the retail environment.
Resident services empowerment fund
Cambridge Housing Authority’s Resident Services Empowerment Fund is an investment to ensure that The Work Force youth program will have a bright future for many years to come. The Resident Services Empowerment Fund is an endowment that lives at Cambridge Community Foundation. Our goal is to grow this endowment to over five million dollars over the next few years.
But we can’t do it alone. The Resident Services Empowerment Fund is seeking to create a sustainable and diverse funding portfolio to ensure that future generations can create pathways toward self-reliance and break the cycle of poverty.
Upcoming events
Latest News
Featured
