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Dear Partners and Supporters,
We hope this summer edition of our newsletter finds you and yours safe and healthy. The past few months have certainly been challenging, to say the least. Through it all, the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board and its partners have been working hard to serve our residents, businesses, and communities. Below you will find stories and updates on some of the projects we’ve been working on. As always, we welcome your partnership and support as we all work together for the benefit of Metro North communities. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we are still here (virtually)!
In partnership,
Chris Albrizio-Lee, President and CEO
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ABCD is the new Operator
of the
MassHire Metro North Career Centers!
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On July 1, 2020, ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) began its work as the new operator of the MassHire Metro North Career Center (MNCC). We are thrilled to welcome them into this new role!
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ABCD is a nonprofit community action agency that provides under-resourced residents in the Boston, Metro North and Mystic Valley areas with the tools, support, and resources they need to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.
Workforce development services are at the core of ABCD’s mission. The agency has provided education, training, and job placement services for nearly 60 years, designing innovative models and adapting flexibly to the changing needs of jobseekers and employers alike.
Each year, the organization works with more than 100,000 individuals, elders and families through a broad range of breakthrough initiatives as well as long-established, proven programs and services. Deeply rooted in each neighborhood, ABCD empowers individuals and families in their quest to live with dignity and achieve their highest potential.
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ABCD takes the reins as the new operator at a challenging time during the Covid-19 crisis, transitioning to the operator role remotely. Their extensive experience with federal, state, and local grants and workforce development programs, strong ties to the local community, and expansive network of partnerships will serve them well in maintaining and expanding the quality services MNCC offers to the region’s jobseekers and businesses.
As ABCD begins this new role, jobseekers and businesses can be assured that the same strong management and leadership team that has been running the career centers will be continuing their work under ABCD!
Kudos to all the staff at MassHire Metro North Workforce Board and ABCD for their hard work leading up to this transition! We look forward to a great partnership in support of Metro North businesses and residents!
Although MNCC physical locations will remain closed due to the COVID19 crisis, all remote career center services to job seekers and businesses are up and running. When the situation allows for a reopening of the career centers, all physical locations in Cambridge, Chelsea and Revere will remain the same.
Learn more about the MassHire Metro North Career Centers
Learn more about ABCD
Read the Press Release HERE.
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We are delighted to announce that Penny Hasseli is now our Senior Director of Program Operations and would like to welcome our new team members:
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Maisa Ferreira, Youth Programs Specialist
Learn more about Maisa 
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Lauren McCann, ESL/ABE Specialist
Learn more about Lauren
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Dani Smejkal, Manager of Workforce Systems
Learn more about Dani
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Li Xu, Fiscal Analyst
Learn more about Li
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Metro North STEM Network
is Launched!
After several years in partnership as the Boston-Metro North STEM Network, we are happy to announce that we’re now the Metro North STEM Network (MNSN). Through annual grant funding from the Baker-Polito Administration and the STEM Advisory Council, we advance Massachusetts’ STEM initiatives and organize STEM Week in the region.
Among our aims, we strive to become a more just, equitable, and inclusive STEM Network. MNSN envisions all students with access to STEM education and increased opportunities for work-based experiences. We prioritize equity and inclusion of Black and Brown people, and other groups that have been historically marginalized in STEM.
MNSN is a hub for connecting K-12, higher education, government, community, and private stakeholders in the pursuit of STEM goals. In addition to organizing STEM Week, we coordinate STEM events throughout the year, and participate in the state’s annual STEM Summit.
Please visit our newly launched STEM Network Page to learn more, find teacher, student, and family resources, and find ways to Get Involved!
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STEM @ Work Grant
With a generous grant from the MA Department of Education, the Metro North STEM@Work initiative aims to provide high school youth with paid internship opportunities at area STEM employers, and to increase the talent pipeline for these employers. This year the Metro North youth team will be focusing efforts on recruiting STEM employer partners to host youth for virtual employment opportunities, and in-person paid internship opportunities in the Spring and summer of 2020.
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The MassHire Metro North Career Centers (MNCC)
in Cambridge, Woburn and Chelsea continue to be open for remote services.
For details and contact information, click the arrow
Please do not hesitate to contact MNCC for any of your workforce needs.
During these difficult times the MNCC remain committed to providing continued services.
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Career Center Success Story:
A Village of Services Support a Disabled Veteran!
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Veteran’s Services Representatives from the MassHire Metro North Career Center facilitated an extensive network of services and agencies to support Michael P., a Veteran with significant barriers to employment, with his job search and ultimate employment and retention! Mike was proactive in his Job Search and followed the advice of Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Program (DVOP) staff and counselors. The DVOP’s knowledge of area partners and services was the key to success!
A big barrier to Mike’s employment was transportation! Staff from Jobs for Veterans State Grant and Volunteers of America worked with Mike to determine eligibility for a vehicle through Second Chance Cars, and on March 31st Mike was given a vehicle in order to facilitate employment.
Simultaneously, Mike’s local town Veteran Service Officer helped obtain Chapter 115 financial assistance to the low-income veteran.
Key to success, was Mike's attendance at a Edge4Vets workshop last fall which led to his being hired as a Track Laborer by one of the participating local companies. Since Mike was a qualified veteran, the Work Opportunity Tax credit (WOTC) was an available incentive for the company to hire and retain Mike in their employment.
Landing a position and receiving a vehicle to get to and from work has made a major impact in this Military Veteran’s life thanks to the coordination, partnership and supportive services offered by many local agencies supporting veterans.
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