mission

A good job can lead to economic self-sufficiency and the start of a better life. We work with our partner agencies to help people secure living-wage employment through job and life skills training, job placement English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education.

updates

Capacity Building Initiative Peer Learning Project Toolkit

United Way and the Commonwealth Workforce Coalition (CWC) announce Capacity Building Initiative Peer Learning Project Toolkit. Visit CWC website to download the following content:

• Flexible Curriculum and Instruction -integrated curriculum, assessment, soft skills, life skills and job readiness
• Manager’s PLP -staff retention, team building, organizational change
• Marketing to Employers -sales tips, hard data, industry research
• On Line Applications - tips for working with employers / participants
• Post Placement and Retention -employment support, resource guide

Financial Literacy

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV), in partnership with Bank of America, has embarked on a new initiative to increase the quality and consistency of the relatively new financial education field. A growing body of research demonstrates that low-income families have both the will and the ability to save.

events, research & resources

The Road to Opportunity: Sustainable Employment Best Practices

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV) has put together a brand new, user friendly tool for practitioners who want a concise overview of the workforce development field. The document is designed to be a straightforward and easily digestible summary, complete with examples for practical application and links and tools for further, more comprehensive research.

Capacity Building Initiatives: Research and Evaluation

In a recent study for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV), Commonwealth Corporation researchers found that helping people move from low-paying to living wage jobs requires long-term strategies for advancement.

• Learn about the Sustainable Employment Capacity Building Initiative (CBI):
• Capacity Building Initiative Summary
• Capacity Building Initiative Calendar of Events
• Read about the Career-Focused Models for Sustainable Employment Report

United Way staff

• Donna Stiglmeier, Director - Community Impact (CI)
• Anne Chin-Louie, Director - Community Impact (CI)
• Merle Jones Lindsay, Director - Community Impact (CI)

United Way's Building Family Assets Impact Council

Each of the focus areas behind our work -- children, youth, employment, housing -- is backed by a council to oversee the development, implementation and outcome of our execution in creating impact in the community.

Previously two independent entities, the employment and housing impact councils were combined under the new name, "Building Family Assets" to better reflect the interconnected nature of the issues that each team addresses.

CO-CHAIR
John R. Schneider
Vice President, Programs & Operations
The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC)

CO-CHAIR
Lisa Guscott
President and CEO
Long Bay Commercial Properties

Dr. J. Larry Brown
Executive Director
Brandeis University, Institute on Assets & Social Policy Heller School for Social Policy & Management

David S. Ford
Executive Director
Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation

Robyn Frost
Executive Director
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless

Julianne Galeota
Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Aaron Gornstein
Executive Director Citizens Housing and Planning Association

James S. Hoyte
Associate Vice President Harvard University

David Kramer
Director Customer Systems Strategy
TIAA CREF

Joseph Kriesberg
President
Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations

Gretchen Manning
Dean, BHCC Foundation and Chief Policy Advisor to the President Bunker Hill Community College

Bernard Morrissey
Senior Vice President, New England Division
Skanska USA Building, Inc.

David Rosen
Consultant, Education & Evaluation
Newsome Associates

Beverly Sobers
Manager of Workforce Development
Brigham & Women's Hospital

Gina M. Spaziani
Budget Director
Office of the President, Middlesex Community College

Neil Sullivan
Executive Director
Boston Private Industry Council

Richard Taylor
Chairman
Taylor Smith Properties Inc.