Nature and Purpose: Moving Families Forward
Crittenton Women's Union (CWU)is a Boston-based non-profit that assists individuals and families to attain and sustain economic independence and self-sufficiency. The education program is located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Over two thousand individuals are served each year through CWU's comprehensive continuum of services in the areas of housing, education, employment, early education, nutrition, wellness, and family support. CWU is recognized as a national model in breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and welfare dependency. In July 2006, Crittenton merged with the Women's Union, another venerable Boston agency with a history of supporting low-income women in their efforts to reach economic self-sufficiency. The Women's Union brought specialized initiatives in the areas of program research and development and advocacy to inform public policy.
Program options for PULSE students:
Alternative Education Services at Crittenton: A Youth Program
At CWU, we understand that traditional school settings don't work for everyone. This co-ed program is an alternative that provides students with the supportive services they need to succeed. It is geared towards Boston residents 16 to 21 years old, who have dropped out of school but are interested in furthering their education. We serve predominantly youth of color from the inner city neighborhoods of Boston, and approximately 70% of our students are pregnant or parenting. Program hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 3:00pm. We alleviate some of the most common barriers to school success by providing breakfast and lunch for all students. Our holistic approach treats each student as an individual and a whole person, focusing equally on academics and support.
- Focused on Academics: Students spend at least 4 hours per day on Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Writing to help them prepare for the GED tests. They are placed in a learning group appropriate for their academic skill and comfort level . To support different learning styles and needs, the program provides individual attention in small classes and one-on one with experienced teachers. Our facility includes a 10-station computer lab with self-directed GED software available to students. PULSE interns and other volunteers provide small group and one-on-one tutoring.
- Focused on Support: CWU students face challenges such as homelessness, teen pregnancy, and negative school experiences. Case Managers support each student based on their individual strengths and needs. Our Student Leadership Council and a weekly Town Hall Meeting empower students to make decisions and be part of a community. Other support services include mediation and conflict resolution, weekly life skills, workplace skills, and parenting.
Tasks
PULSE students provide tutoring in one of the five GED subject areas: Social Studies, Science, Math, Writing and Literature. Students in need of tutoring are identified by education staff. Interns work with students one-on-one or in a small group setting, and are provided with the necessary training and support by CWU staff. PULSE students work closely with a GED teacher to develop teaching techniques to meet each student's needs. PULSE students work with students who have experienced little or no school success, and are an integral part of guiding students towards their first positive academic achievements! Based on a student's schedule, he or she may provide administrative support when students are not in class. PULSE students also have time during break and Lunch to informally interact with the GED students.
Time Requirement
PULSE students work two four-hour shifts per week during program hours (Monday through Friday from 9am to 3:00pm).
Supervisor
Martha Hayden
Instructor, GED Program
Address
10 Perthshire Road
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 782-7600 x2128
www.liveworkthrive.org
Council Member
Danielle Corea
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Woman to Woman Program
Our Woman to Woman program provides computer and career/life skills training to low-income women aged of 18+ in Greater Boston. All hold high school diplomas or GEDs, but are either unemployed or in jobs that do not provide them with self-sufficient wages. Frustrated with their inability to provide for their families, they are extremely motivated to break out of the cycle of poverty by learning marketable skills and developing career plans.
Program objectives include:
Each program cycle offers 12 weeks of intensive training (Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) that includes computer and professional skill-building workshops.
- Building the capacity for participants to obtain jobs with living wages;
- Helping participants build life skills and long-term planning abilities;
- Breaking societal and internal barriers to success;
- Providing more women the opportunity to attain self-sufficiency
At the beginning of each session, participants identify a career goal and prepare a personal strategic plan to serve as a planning tool, reinforced by workshops on a wide range of related topics. Areas covered include communication and organizational skills, time and stress management, financial literacy, interviewing and resume building, office culture, and dressing for success.
All participants gain basic computer literacy, focusing on building their skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and on using the Internet. Training takes place in a state-of-the-art Technology Training Center, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of women learners. The program incorporates online job training that emphasizes collaborative and supportive instructional methods.
Tasks
PULSE students provide teacher with assistance in class and must be able to work with Microsoft Office Suite (MS word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). PULSE students will work one-on-one with students who are falling behind in class. PULSE students will also assist other Instructors in Career, Education, Life skills, and financial literacy. Based on a student's schedule, he or she may provide administrative support when students are not in class. Students also have time during break and Lunch to informally interact with the students.
Time Requirement
PULSE students work two four-hour shifts per week during program hours (Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Supervisor
Patricia Carrington
Instructor, Woman to Woman Program
Address
One Washington Mall
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 259-2920
www.liveworkthrive.org
Council Member
Kristin Demafeliz
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Advocacy
CWU’s Advocacy Department works to advance broad policy changes that address barriers low-income women face to achieving economic self-sufficiency. We are dedicated to bringing our program participants’ voices to the center of our policy work and lead an educational campaign across all CWU programs that encourage participants and staff to become involved in creating policy change. The Advocacy Department also works with community partners to promote policy initiatives in the areas of education, job training, child care and affordable and safe housing to help low-income women bridge gaps from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Within the CWU, the Workforce Solutions Group is a statewide coalition dedicated to improving the
Tasks
In both the CWU Advocacy and the Workforce Solutions Group internships, PULSE students will gain experience in public policy and advocacy by spearheading efforts to inform legislators of important research and policy recommendations through letter-writing, planning and participating in important state house events, preparing factsheets and flyers, attending public hearings on budget and legislative issues, and much more.
· In the CWU Advocacy Internship, PULSE students will improve their public speaking and facilitation skills by providing training to program participants. They will have the opportunity to co-facilitate and/or run trainings on topics such as advocacy, state budget, public speaking, voting, and leadership development. Additionally, PULSE students will have the opportunity to visit and work with program participants across all of CWU’s programs. They will form relationships with program participants and gain valuable knowledge from them about the issues they face on a day to day basis. PULSE students will gain an understanding of poverty from a holistic perspective.
· In the Workforce Solutions Group Internship, the PULSE student will work with the Director of the WSG to implement change in workforce development funding and policy in
Time Requirement
Mornings and Afternoons
Supervisor
Chelsea Lettieri, MSW
617-259-2936
clettieri@liveworkthrive.org
Address
One Washington Mall, 2nd Floor
Council Member
Kristin Demafeliz
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