Our mission is to collaborate with youth, families, and partner organizations to address long-standing systemic inequities while building a community of belonging and opportunity for Waltham youth. We envision a world where young people have the skills, resources and opportunities to participate fully in their communities and create their own paths to success and well-being. Our current programs and services include the following:
Career Exploration and Training (CET): Our growing CET programs provide Waltham High School students with opportunities to explore careers and discover passions while developing a pathway to economic independence and post-secondary success. Our flagship high school internship program places over 100 students per year in paid internships at companies in a wide range of fields in and around Waltham while providing individualized support, mentoring, and career-readiness workshops. Our pathway programs in education and mental health also give high school students the chance to explore careers in these fields through educational and work-based learning experiences while earning college credit. We are investing now in a more diverse educator and mental health workforce of tomorrow. Wraparound Waltham: This multi-agency coalition, led by WPY, provides a network of support in and out of school for Spanish-dominant, Latinx high-school students who are new to the country and learning English. Services include a multi-week orientation class, academic case management, mental health support, and the Welcome Center - a welcoming space and central referral hub of information and resources for families, particularly Spanish-speaking immigrant families, who have recently arrived in Waltham. Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS): We work with Waltham Public Schools to administer the YRBS every two years. We analyze the data and make it available to school and community partners to inform policy and practice focused on increasing the health, wellness, and resilience of Waltham youth.
