School Year Program and Applicant Requirements

The Work Force is primarily a school year after school program operating out of five different sites throughout the city of Cambridge. We serve youth starting in the 6th grade all the way through their first four years after high school graduation (see College Success Component for more information). The Work Force serves teens with a wide range of interests and abilities. There are no performance criteria for admittance into the program: participation requires only that students live in Cambridge Housing Authority developments or use a Cambridge Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher, and be enrolled in school. Each year, an 8th grade class is admitted to the High School program largely on a first-come, first-served basis at all program sites and a 6th grade class is admitted to the Middle School program largely on a first-come, first-served basis. Work Force High School program operates out of four different locations and a Middle School program that operates out of Cambridge Street Upper School:

High School Sites:

• Cambridge Rindge and Latin high school: Citywide site focusing on serving Section 8 Voucher holders as well as residents in smaller family developments.

• Jefferson Park: Serving CHA residents in North Cambridge residing in Jefferson Park, Lincoln Way, and surrounding area.

• Roosevelt Towers: Serving CHA residents residing in East Cambridge and Roosevelt Towers development, along with Willow Street apartments and surrounding areas.

• 119 Windsor Street: Serving CHA residents residing in Newtowne Court/Washington Elms development and surrounding areas.

Middle School Site:

• Cambridge Street Upper School: Serving mainly CHA residents that attend 6th and 7th grade at Cambridge Street Upper School.

Participants need to complete an application every year, with returning participants getting the link to the application from their Teacher-Counselor directly. Work Force usually recruits only in 6th and 8th grade, though we do at times have openings in other grades. If you are a new applicant, please use the link below to complete an application. If you are a returning student, please contact your Teacher-Counselor directly for a link to the Work Force returning student application.

Thank you for your continued participation in The Work Force Youth Program. Our goal is to provide you with the best and most comprehensive after-school program experience that we can, and as always, we appreciate your contributions in helping to make that goal a reality Together, we must be partners in success, creating a nurturing environment that builds solid foundations and more secure futures for the families of Cambridge public housing.