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Crittenton Women's Union http://www.LiveWorkThrive.org

Crittenton Women's Union

One Washington Mall

Floor 2

Boston, MA 02108Map this

Crittenton Women's Union, a Boston-based nonprofit organization, combines direct service programs, independent research and public policy advocacy in its mission to transform the course of low-income women's lives so that they can attain economic independence and create better futures for...

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For more information:

Name: Stephanie Nichols
Position: Director of Marketing & Communications
Email: snichols@liveworkthrive.org
Phone: 617-259-2946
Fax: 617-247-8826

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Woman to WomanWoman to Woman provides computer and career/life skills training to low-income women between the ages of 18 and 55 who live in Greater Boston. Each program cycle offers 12 weeks of intensive training (five days a week from 9:30am - 4:30 pm) that includes computer and professional skill-building workshops.
AdvocacyAs part of an organization-wide approach, the Crittenton Women's Union Advocacy Department is leading an educational campaign across all CWU programs and services to ensure that each of our clients has the opportunity to voice individual needs, influence public policy, and address larger system change. CWU is dedicated to bringing participants’ voices to the center of our policy work and leads an educational campaign across all CWU programs that encourages participants to become involved in creating policy change that will positively impact their lives. CWU’s Advocacy staff provides advocacy training to clients and staff, empowering them to become effective advocates for themselves and their families.
Youth GED ProgramThe Youth GED Program is an alternative to a traditional school setting that provides students with the intensive and supportive services they need to succeed. The holistic approach treats each student as an individual and a whole person, focusing equally on academics, support, and preparation for the future, as well as by celebrating the successes of the students. The program is open to Boston residents, male and female, between 16 and 21 years old, who have dropped out of school but are interested in pursuing their GED, as well as college and career goals. Program hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:15 PM. By providing free transportation, breakfast and lunch for all students, the program addresses some of the most common barriers to school success.

Supported causes

Elementary & Secondary
Healthy FamiliesHealthy Families is a statewide program that is funded and administered by the Children's Trust Fund (CTF), a Boston-based child advocacy group, and is based on the national model of Healthy Families America. The program, which serves approximately 140 teen and first-time parents each year, is free to participants. The goals of the program are to: - Prevent child abuse and neglect - Achieve optimal health, growth, and development in infancy and early childhood - Encourage educational attainment and economic self-sufficiency among parents - Prevent repeat pregnancies during the teen years The program is unique because it approaches its work with families from a strengths-based perspective as opposed to a deficit model. It is a family-centered, community-conscious, culturally sensitive service. It is also a parent-driven program, providing intensive home visiting, beginning with once a week and moving toward once a month as the participant becomes more self-sufficient.
Transitional HousingCrittenton Women's Union provides transitional housing for more than 350 families each year, making us the largest provider of transitional housing for homeless mothers and their families in Massachusetts. Loacted at various locations througout the city of Boston, each program assists homeless families to secure and maintain permanent housing. The housing search component is combined with case management, clinical and mental health services, career development assistance, a wellness and fitness program, family literacy, medical services through a homeless healthcare provider, volunteer playgroup services, and transportation aid.
Research and InnovationA three-pronged approach differentiates R&I from similar policy and research centers. First, R&I focuses on the client "voice" as a vehicle to create innovative products and public policy recommendations. Second, R&I capitalizes on interdisciplinary research-including psychology, sociology, business, education, and health-to inform its approach and recommendations. Third, R&I leverages its talent in organizational development to foster a collaborative evaluation environment and to nurture inquiry and "intrapreneurship" across the organization. The Research and Innovation (R&I) department was launched in 2002 to complement our direct service and policy programs. The purpose of Research and Innovation is to enhance understanding of what it takes to reach economic self-sufficiency, and to use that knowledge to inform program design and advocacy efforts.
Career Family Opportunity (CFO)Career Family Opportunity (CFO) is a pilot program of Crittenton Womenâ??s Union that helps single parents build the foundation essential to achieving economic independence. This five-year program allows participantsâ??called Career Family Organizers or CFOsâ?? to proceed at their own pace as they gain the skills, knowledge and habits of a stable future. CFOs achieve: * A career path leading to a family-supporting job * A savings account with three monthsâ?? worth of living expenses -- How CFO works -- Career Family Opportunity takes an innovative, comprehensive and personalized approach. We recognize each person brings a unique set of experiences, accomplishments, needs, and challenges to his or her journey to economic self-sufficiency. CFOs map out their individual education, career, and financial goals. Along the way, the program provides ongoing support and financial incentives and connects participants to the resources and professional help they need. -- How to become a CFO -- You may be eligible to be a CFO, if youâ??re a * Resident of Old Colony, West Broadway or Mary Ellen McCormack housing developments. * Single parent (male or female, 18 years or older) with children or legal dependents living with you. * High school graduate or GED recipient. * Legally eligible to work in the U.S. Find out more at www.LiveWorkThrive.org !
In-kind Donations to CWUCrittenton Women's Union is a 501(c)(3) organization. For all in-kind donation inquires, please contact Sanju Poudel at 617-259-2921 or spoudel@liveworkthrive.org
The Working Poor Families ProjectLaunched in 2002, the Working Poor Families Project (WPFP) is a national initiative focused on state workforce development policies involving: 1) education and skills training for adults; 2) economic development; and 3) income and work supports. The WPFP supports nonprofit groups in 20 states to assess and improve the economic conditions and policies affecting working poor families in those states. Crittenton Women's Union is the Massachusetts partner for the Working Poor Families Project. As part of this initiative, CWU released the new policy brief, “Unlocking the Doors to Higher Education and Training for Massachusetts' Working Poor Families,” detailing policy recommendations to help low-income adults complete post-secondary education and training to secure employment at self-sufficiency level wages. Click the "Article Link" to learn more!
Suze Orman pledges $50,000 to CWUBoston, April 11, 2008-Suze Orman spontaneously pledged $50,000 Friday to Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income women attain economic independence, as she accepted the organization’s 24th Amelia Earhart Award, bringing the total raised at the event to more than $400,000. Moved by the organization’s mission and by the speeches given by two CWU program participants who recounted their successful journeys to economic self-sufficiency, Orman wowed the crowd by announcing her unplanned pledge during her acceptance speech. She will donate $10,000 a year to the organization for the next five years. Click the article link to read more…
CWU is Named Finalist for Nonprofit Collaboration PrizeJanuary 14, 2009. Boston - Crittenton Women's Union has been named one of eight finalists for The Collaboration Prize, a national cash award of $250,000 presented to an outstanding model of nonprofit collaboration. The Lodestar Foundation, in association with the Arizona-Indiana-Michigan (AIM) Alliance, created The Collaboration Prize in an effort to demonstrate how nonprofit resources can be used more effectively to create greater impact. Crittenton Women's Union was selected as a finalist from a competitive pool of over 644 U.S.-based nominations. The Collaboration Prize winner will be announced on March 5, 2009. \"We consider it an honor and a testament to the outstanding success of our merger to be a finalist for The Collaboration Prize,\" said Pamela A. Murray, chair of Crittenton Women's Union and principal, Bessemer Trust Company. \"When we embarked on the merger of two historic Boston nonprofits - Crittenton and The Women's Union - our goal was to build on their complementary strengths to create an innovative organization that effects real change in the lives of low-income families, and we have.\" Crittenton and The Women's Union merged operations in 2006 to form Crittenton Women's Union with the goal of furthering their shared commitment to helping low-income families attain economic self-sufficiency. Combining Crittenton's extensive programming with The Women's Union highly developed research and advocacy areas has positioned CWU to become a laboratory for social change. Today, CWU provides a continuum of services to foster a woman's journey from homelessness to a family-supporting job, conducts independent research into the obstacles the people it serves face, and advocates for policy changes to remove those obstacles. Read more on our website: http://www.LiveWorkThrive.org
Lappen Auto Supply CEO and Harvard Vanguard physicianCrittenton Women's Union (CWU), a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income women attain economic independence, recently elected Edward Lappen, CEO of Lappen Auto Supply, Inc., and Dr. Anne F. St. Goar, a physician with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, to its board of directors. Lappen, who has headed up Lappen Auto Supply for the past 27 years, and St. Goar, a physician with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Watertown, Mass., and a staff member at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., were voted unanimously to the CWU Board of Directors in March. â??Both Ed and Anne bring particular areas of strength to our board and we welcome their talents,â?? said Pamela A. Murray, CWU chair and principal, Bessemer Trust Company. â??Ed combines a legal background with 30 years as a successful businessman. Having employed more than 400 workers, he understands the economic obstacles employers face in providing their workers with benefits and a family-sustaining wage and, at the same time, knows how imperative it is to create opportunities for people to get ahead and achieve the American dream. ... Read more at http://liveworkthrive.org/press_releases.php
CWU Celebrates Career Family Opportunity!On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in South Boston CWU celebrated Career Family Opportunity (CFO), a program which launched June 2009 as a pathway to economic self-sufficiency for low-income single parents. Grand Opening Ceremony Among the many featured speakers at the grand opening ceremony were The Honorable Brian P. Wallace of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and The Honorable Jack Hart of the Massachusetts Senate. Michelle Feliz, a participant of the program, also spoke. Michelle is one of 21 Career Family Organizers (CFOs) who, with her mentor, has created an individualized, practical plan toward attaining a family-sustaining job and building a savings. Her remarks as well as those of the other speakers were streamed live on CWU's website, where video footage from the event is archived. Follow the artilcle link to read more!
Special Update from CWU President Beth BabcockNow that the hustle and bustle of the holidays is behind us and we've welcomed in the New Year, I thought I'd take a moment to update you on what's been going on here at CWU and what's coming up. For me, the high point of the past several months was the grand opening ceremony of our new \"Career Family Opportunity\" (CFO) program, located in South Boston. Friends, supporters, colleagues, dignitaries, and program participants filled the tent on a balmy November day to officially launch this groundbreaking program. ... Follow the link to read more!
CWU Update, March 2010CWU released this week the Massachusetts Economic Independence Index (Mass. Index), revealing that a single parent with two children needs an annual income of $61,618 in Massachusetts just to get by. Its companion report, “Hot Jobs 2010,” also released this week, identified just 11 hot jobs—occupations requiring two years or less of higher education that pay at the Mass. Index level and have more than 100 vacancies statewide—down from 26 three years ago. “The figures we released were sobering,” said Elisabeth D. Babcock, CWU President/CEO. “Essential living costs have continued to escalate in the state, while earnings of lower-skilled workers have not kept pace. In fact, those at the bottom twenty percent of the economic ladder have seen their earnings drop by seven percent in the last three decades, and they now have fewer and fewer job opportunities that will gain them a foothold in the middle class.” CWU produces a real cost –of-living budget and a Hot Jobs report every three years as essential tools in its work to help low-income women and their families become economically self-sufficient. This data helps low-income women determine what career choices pay enough to support a family, are attainable, and offer the most long-term opportunity. Read the Massachusetts Economic Independence Index and the Hot Jobs 2010 report online: http://www.liveworkthrive.org/reports.php You can find out how much you need to live in your town by using the online Mass. Index Economic Independence Calculator: http://liveworkthrive.org/calculator.php Read news coverage of the release of the Mass. Index and Hot Jobs 2010 report: http://liveworkthrive.org/cwu_buzz.php
CWU board welcomes BNY Mellon executive FoleyCrittenton Women’s Union board welcomes BNY Mellon executive Foley BOSTON—Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), a Boston-based nonprofit innovator in breaking the cycle of poverty, has elected Eileen Foley, managing director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management, to its board of directors. “Eileen will be a tremendous asset to CWU,” said Pamela A. Murray, CWU chair and principal, Bessemer Trust Company. “She brings 20 years of experience in sales and marketing in an extremely competitive business environment. Eileen’s talents and knowledge in this area will be invaluable in helping CWU introduce new programs to low-income women striving to become economically self-sufficient.” Foley, who joined BNY Mellon in 2006 and is responsible for all new U.S. business activity for the firm’s Family Office Services Group, was voted unanimously to the CWU board at its December meeting. Read more: http://liveworkthrive.org/press_releases.php
CWU Summer 2010 Internships!Crittenton Women's Union (CWU) offers robust internships for college students and professionals seeking more experience alike. We currently have the following openings for the Summer 2010 semester: Administrative Intern for AVP of Housing Administrative Office Intern Career Family Opportunity Children’s Programming Assistant Facilities Intern Hastings House Administrative Intern Horizons Housing Program Intern Housing Placement and Stabilization Intern Human Resources Intern Institutional Advancement Intern Marketing and Communications Intern Program Design Intern Protected Information (PI) Administrative Intern Go to http://liveworkthrive.org/internships.php for details!
CWU researcher named Sociologist of the YearCWU's Associate Director of Research Jennifer Dobruck Lowe has been named 2010 Sociologist of the Year by the New England Sociological Association (NESA). Lowe, who joined CWU in 2008, has focused her career on anti-poverty work and brings years of experience in program management, evaluation, teaching, and serving as an advocate for homeless families. Read more: http://bit.ly/96aGM0
Read the Spring 2010 edition of CWU's Thrive! NewsletterRead the latest edition of Thrive! Newsletter of Crittenton Women's Union: http://ht.ly/1MaCl =============================== MASS. INDEX AND HOT JOBS 2010 DRAW INTENSE INTEREST Senate President Therese Murray described the Massachusetts Economic Independence Index (Mass. Index) and its companion report, Hot Jobs 2010, as \"valuable information to know in a very down economy\" at their release at the State House on March 8th. CFO UPDATE Our Career Family Opportunity program (CFO), which launched last June with residents from four South Boston public housing developments, will expand this fall to include residents of select Cambridge Housing Authority developments, as well as currently homeless families, for a total of 20 families. CWU GRADS MOVING ON! Nine participants in CWU's Woman to Woman and GED programs took their next step to economic self-sufficiency by entering college in January. COMING SOON: NEW GUIDE FOR LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS CWU has teamed up with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to provide low-income adult students with a student benefits booklet, slated for publication in August. THANK YOU SHIRE AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD! Volunteers from Shire Human Genetic Therapies (Shire) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts gave CWU's Brighton facility a mini-makeover - outside and in - during CWU's first-ever Caring Community Days last fall. WELCOME TO NEWEST BOARD MEMBER CWU recently elected Eileen Foley, Managing Director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management, to its board of directors. \"Eileen will be a tremendous asset to CWU,\" said Pamela A. Murray, CWU Chair and Principal, Bessemer Trust Company. JOIN US! Come cheer on the next class of Woman to Woman (WTW) students at their graduation on Thursday, July 22, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. YOUR SUPPORT COUNTS Today, the need and demand for CWU's programs and services have never been greater. In this challenging economic climate, every dollar counts, and CWU must maximize the impact of its resources.
Case Manager, Education and Workforce DevelopmentGeneral Summary of Duties: The Education & Workforce Development Case Manager is responsible for carrying out client support services for Adult Basic Education at Crittenton Women's Union. The Case Manager is responsible for all service activities including, but not limited to: outreach and recruitment, case management, life skills instruction, data management and reporting and the delivery of services consistent with program objectives and standards. This position has a unique emphasis on outreach and recruitment of new student to the program. Based on clients numbers this position can switch from performing more outreach and recruitment duties to case management services. *Go to http://liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#218 for more information
Part-Time Program Supervisor, 12-10pm, Sat. & Sun.Position: PT Hours, 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday I. Supervisor: Coordinator of Residential Service III. General Summary of Duties: The Program Supervisor coordinates department activities and special projects during assigned shift. Among the responsibilities of this position is the supervision of staff in accordance with CWU policies and procedures; maintain a safe secure environment for guests. II. Essential Duties of the Job: Coordinate Guest Advocates activities and special projects to ensure continuity of care for Hastings House guests. More on our website: http://www.LiveWorkThrive.org

Supported causes

Housing & Shelter
Guest Advocate, Per DiemThe Guest Advocate is responsible for providing client support services and consistent client supervision to insure high-quality and smooth program operations consistent with program and organizational objectives including, but not limited to: client management, service delivery, case management, life skills instruction, operational support and administrative support. The Guest Advocate reports to the Operations Coordinator and/or Coordinator of Residential Services.

Supported causes

Housing & Shelter
Guest Advocate, FT, 12PM-8PMThe Guest Advocate is responsible for providing client support services and consistent client supervision to insure high-quality and smooth program operations consistent with program and organizational objectives including, but not limited to: client management, service delivery, case management, life skills instruction, operational support and administrative support. The Guest Advocate reports to the Operations Coordinator and/or Coordinator of Residential Services.

Supported causes

Housing & Shelter
Case Management Supervisor (Master’s Level)General Summary of Duties: The Hastings House program provides temporary congregate shelter for 58 homeless families. Under the direction of the Hastings House Coordinator of Case Management Services, The Case Management Supervisor provides clinical supervision and consultation to members of the Hastings House Case Management Team, in order to ensure the provision of high quality services to shelter guests. These services include, but are not limited to: client orientation, intake and assessment, case management, economic self-sufficiency planning, and general life-skills. The mission of Crittenton Women’s Union, operationalized through program activities, is to assist individuals and families to preserve and maximize their life options and to attain and sustain self-sufficiency and economic independence. See full job post at http://www.liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#244
Case Manager – Housing and Family MobilityGeneral Summary of Duties: The Case Manager is responsible for carrying out client support services for the programs of Crittenton Women’s Union. The Case Manager is responsible for all service activities including, but not limited to: outreach and recruitment, case management, general life-skills instruction and the delivery of services consistent with program objectives and standards. The mission of Crittenton Women’s Union, operationalized through program activities, is to assist individuals and families to preserve and maximize their life options and to attain and sustain self-sufficiency and economic independence. Read the full job post at http://www.liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#242
Housing SpecialistGeneral Summary Of Duties: Advocate for and assist guests/clients of Crittenton Women’s Union to obtain and/or maintain sustainable housing. Performs a variety of office and field activities to identify housing options and stabilization resources in Massachusetts, with a focus on the Boston/Metro Boston regions. Supervisor: Assistant Director of Stabilization Services Essential Duties of the Position: - Interviews applicants and reviews relevant documentation regarding income and family composition in order to determine housing needs. - Works with heads of household to identify and address potential barriers to stable housing (e.g. criminal record, poor credit, past tenancy problems, immigration status). - Conducts briefing sessions with new families regarding: subsidized and market-rate housing options; regulations, policies and standards governing housing programs; lease obligations; and tenant rights. - Educates homeless and/or at-risk families with information and referrals for resources. - Establishes and cultivates relationships with housing authorities, landlords, and management companies in order to maximize housing options for clients/guests. - Mediates and advocates on behalf of guests/clients with landlords, housing court, utility companies, etc. Maintains organized documents of guests’/clients’ efforts to obtain and sustain housing. - Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with CWU policies and procedures. - Perform other related duties. Full description here: http://www.liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#246
Corporate and Foundation Relations CoordinatorGeneral Summary of Duties: Under the direction of the Director of Development, the Corporate and Foundation Relations Coordinator will provide a full range of pre- and post-award support in identifying and pursuing opportunities for private (corporate and foundation) funding that supports CWU operating and capital fundraising priorities. The Coordinator will report to the Director of Development, under the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and work closely with the entire development staff. This is a full-time position with a salary range of high $30k to low $40k Learn more at http://liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#247
Higher Education Specialist – PT or FTCrittenton Women’s Union is seeking an experienced Higher Education Specialist to help program participants (primarily low income and/or homeless women) prepare for college or other training programs to further their education. The Higher Education Specialist will also be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with training organizations, and institutions of higher education in order to place participants and graduates into these opportunities. For full description, go to http://liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#248
Vice President of Institutional AdvancementCrittenton Women's Union's Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VP of IA) reports to the President/CEO and serves on the organization’s Leadership Team, the primary group providing strategic and operational oversight to the organization. The VP of IA also works directly with the Board of Directors in the design and implementation of all fundraising and communications efforts. The role manages a team of five staff and is responsible for raising nearly $2 million annually in private philanthropy to supplement the operating and capital budgets, as well leading the capital campaign for the organization’s Innovations Fund. For the full description, please visit http://liveworkthrive.org/careers.php#249
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