Waltham Partnership for Youth

Founded in 1988 at the initiative of the City of Waltham and incorporated independently as a 501(c)(3) in 1997, Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY) has been an integral part of the city’s youth development landscape for more than 30 years. 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.

Current Programs and Initiatives

• Career Exploration & Training: In partnership with local employers and higher education institutions, the Career Exploration & Training (CET) Program provides a diverse cohort of Waltham youth with career exploration and professional development opportunities. By cultivating meaningful partnerships with university partners and professionals across a wide range of industries, and working directly with students to understand their skills and interests, we strive to expand the economic and career opportunities for all students while keeping in mind the historical and current inequities we face. 
• Wraparound Waltham: A multi-agency collaborative of educators and service providers, led by WPY, working to address disparities in high school graduation and dropout rates among newcomer Waltham students. Wraparound Waltham’s initiatives currently focus on LatinX Spanish-speaking students and families who are Emerging Bilinguals and new to the country. Wraparound works closely with students and their caregivers to comprehensively understand the needs, strengths, and personal goals of each student. The program leverages in-school and out-of-school supports designed to address needs such as food, housing, and transportation; employment; linguistic and social inclusion; school belonging and engagement; academic progress; ability to adapt to new environments; and access to mental health care.