WPY UPDATES:

Recap: 2023 Annual Meeting

Pictured above, from left to right: WPY Board Member, Annabelle Tran; abcam Engagement & Wellbeing Manager, Greta Lindberg; WPY Executive Director, Olivia Mathews; abcam CEO, Alan Hirzel; WPY Board President, Clarence Richardson.

On September 20th, we welcomed more than 70 guests to our 2023 Annual Meeting at abcam. We enjoyed welcoming remarks from abcam's CEO, Alan Hirzel, updates about our recent and upcoming work from WPY leadership, a student speech, and a panel.

A highlight of the morning was hearing from recent WPY alum, Kam Burns. After building relationships with WPY staff throughout his time at Waltham High School, Kam spent this past summer as a WPY intern at the Waltham Fire Department (WFD). The mentorship and support he gained from the WFD have been monumental for him, and he credits this internship with his increased excitement, diligence, and ambition about his future.

Kam also encouraged Annual Meeting guests to learn more about Waltham Partnership for Youth, saying the following:

"It’s important that people learn about Waltham Partnership for Youth because they are a root of connection in our entire city of Waltham. My experiences with WPY and the Waltham Fire Department showed me a path to get my life together."

In addition to a great speaking program, we also enjoyed cider donuts from Pizzi Farm. Thank you for your donation!

Many thanks to Greta Lindberg and Gina DaSilva of abcam for their support and partnership from Abcam. Thank you to bxp for sponsoring this event.

If you missed our 2023 Annual Meeting, please check out the recording in the embedded YouTube link below!

We're Hiring a Half-Time Finance Director

We are hiring a half-time, experienced Finance Director who will be focused on ensuring our nonprofit organization’s financial health through strategic financial analysis and management. The ideal candidate will be passionate about how excellent essential financial operations and analysis are critical for the organization to sustainably benefit the well-being of Waltham youth.

Career Exploration & Training (CET)

Connecting students to life-altering career development opportunities through meaningful paid internship experiences.

Pictured above: Aydin, a WPY Summer Intern at Giner Labs, explaining his role and responsibilities in the workplace.

We're excited to share the 2023 WPY Summer Internship Report! Click the link below for an overview of our accomplishments this past summer. Thank you to interns, employer partners, and community partners for supporting the internship program. 

Roses in Concrete is back! Roses in Concrete (RIC) is a Leadership & Mentorship Program for BIPOC Waltham High School 11th and 12th-grade students looking to network and connect with Brandeis students. RIC creates a space for dialogue, growth, and community. Program commitment includes attending a monthly workshop at Brandeis University (see below for dates) and an online or in-person meeting with your mentor. Participants will receive $100 in the spring for completing the program. Applications are due by October 5th.

Don't miss our school-year Career Exploration &Training internships! So far, the WPY Teen Mental Health Alliance (THMA) has already hired four peer leaders to recruit, hire, and train THMA Peer Associates in Teen Mental Health First Aid and create a mental health-focused community project, while also learning about careers in the mental healthcare field. We also have a great offering of education-based internship placements inside and outside the classroom.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL WPY SCHOOL-YEAR INTERNSHIPS IN THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS" SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER!

Wraparound Waltham

Collaborating to create a community of belonging and opportunity for newcomer immigrant students and their families.

Pictured above: Wraparound High School Coordinator, Alexa Cuellar, working with WPY Summer Intern, Linda, to update Welcome Class curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Whether through the Welcome Center, Welcome Class, or through services we make available through our school and community partners, our Wraparound Waltham team is eager to meet Waltham's newcomers students and welcome them to our community throughout the school year.

WPY staff are working to increase access to culturally and linguistically appropriate support for newcomer immigrant students, strengthening social cohesion by fostering connections among Latinx immigrant youth, and connecting students and families to vital community resources. 

Both the Waltham High School and McDevitt Middle School Welcome Classes had their first sessions on September 13th. Individual therapy and group support services are also in full swing, led by our partner, Children's Charter. This program is called Programa Monarca and provides a way to ensure access to culturally responsive mental health support for newcomer students who otherwise would not have access to these impactful resources.

Opportunities for Youth and Community Members:

Paid School Year Internships for Students!

The WPY Career Exploration and Training team has been working hard setting up the School Year Internship Program! During the school year, we coordinate internship placements focused on mental health and education, as well as a few placements working in the WPY office. Most internships will begin in mid-October and run through May 10, 2024. 

Waltham Welcome Center

The Waltham Welcome Center is switching back to school-year hours! Visit the Welcome Center at McDevitt Middle School from 3:30-6:30pm, Monday-Thursday. Please note that Welcome Center Coordinators are not available in-person or via phone/email on weekends.

The Waltham Welcome Center invites you to attend the Basic Rights in Education Training workshop! Please see above for more information, and reach out to Marlen to RSVP.

Work at the Waltham Public Library!

The Waltham Public Library is looking for more Student Pages to work at the library! This post is open until October 18. Just the City of Waltham Application is required to be filled out and emailed or dropped off to HR at 119 School Street.

Take the MA Community Health Equity Survey!

In collaboration with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), we invite you to take the Community Health Equity Survey (CHES). The Community Health Equity Survey aims to help communities address barriers to health. Your story can shape our future health! DPH will use survey results to improve programs, make decisions about funding and resources, and support policies to improve health inequities. They will also share the results of the survey with partners across Massachusetts to support the important work we are doing to improve health in their communities. Massachusetts residents 14 years or older are encouraged to take the survey. The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete, and is available in 11 written languages and ASL. 

Community Partner Opportunity: Non-Profit Music Program

Plugged In Band Program's fall session started the week of September 18th and is open to any youth, teen, 20-something or adult. Plugged In is a unique, inclusive non profit music program where musicians of all levels and needs are welcome. Bands are grouped by age, skill level and musical interest.  

Fall Session Dates

September 18, 2023 - January 11, 2024

(late registrants accepted)

Programs Offered

Rock Band Class

Media Scoring Class

Private Lessons

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