While many Boston residents spent the pandemic working safely from home, Cleo Cotton headed out the door around 6 each morning to assume her post as an essential worker. In the kitchen of Frederick Pilot Middle School, a Boston Public
New checking account designed to meet needs of unbanked and underbanked residents
Bank On Boston has partnered with USALLIANCE Financial to establish a checking account specifically designed to meet the needs of Boston’s unbanked and underbanked residents. The account, Dora Everyday Checking, meets all 15 Bank On national account standards for safety and
OWD prepares 2021 legislative agenda
The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development will advocate for a number of state bills this legislative session that support economic mobility, education, and worker protection. These include: An Act Creating a Maximum Allowable Check-Cashing RateMassachusetts is one of only eight
When a career path narrows: How a job-seeker and training program found a new way in the pandemic
Liziana Borges thought she was making a fresh start. Last February, after a layoff from her retail job, she enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant course – a decisive step toward her dream of working in healthcare. But the pandemic
OWD annual report highlights resilience and racial equity
The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) distributed more than $15 million from July 2019 – June 2020 to 88 organizations that serve Boston’s workers, according to the newly released Fiscal Year 2020 annual report, Boston’s Workforce Recovery: Resilience and Racial
City Academy graduates pass CDL exam with flying colors
Congratulations to the newest class of City Academy graduates! Despite the many challenges of training during a pandemic, all nine participants who took the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam passed. With that kind of persistence and commitment, these drivers are
Financial Navigators guide residents through financial challenges amid COVID
The Office of Financial Empowerment has launched the Financial Navigator program, in partnership with the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund, to guide residents through resources available to them amid the financial difficulties of the pandemic. Residents can access this
New initiative structures career-building opportunities for young people experiencing homelessness
As part of its citywide plan to end youth homelessness, the City of Boston is creating new opportunities for young adults experiencing homelessness to develop the knowledge and skills to forge successful careers. Beginning in January 2021, these opportunities will
YOU Boston celebrates virtual summer jobs program
The youth, staff, and partners of YOU Boston celebrated the conclusion of their summer youth employment program on August 13 just as they had conducted it – virtually. A year ago, said Interim Director Jonathan Makrez over Zoom, “I would
Virtual workshops and job fair serve young people experiencing homelessness
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (YYAEH) already face barriers to employment, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated those difficulties. In an increasingly virtual world, finding a job is no longer a matter of knocking on doors or spotting “Now