Journeys’ Rooted in Shared Experience: New Generation of CHW’s

Over the past 10 weeks, a remarkable group of individuals came together to embark on a shared mission: to become health advocates and change makers in their communities as Community Health Workers. For them, it was not just a training but a transformative journey – and as we celebrated the graduation of our 6th cohort, the room buzzed with pride, a renewed sense of purpose and hope! 

What makes this cohort truly special is the shared thread in their stories. The majority of our students come from immigrant backgrounds, each carrying with them personal experiences of navigating a complex and often confusing U.S. healthcare system. They spoke of language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the emotional toll of not knowing how to help loved ones in moments of crisis.

But rather than let those struggles define them, they’ve chosen to lead.

“I never realized how powerful active listening could be until this course,” one student, Nicholas shared during the graduation ceremony. “It taught me that sometimes the best way to help is just to listen—really listen.”

This skill (active listening) which is so often overlooked- is at the heart of what makes a community health worker effective: the ability to listen deeply, reflect, affirm and respond with empathy.

Students at the graduation ceremony took center stage to present thoughtful, innovative solutions to real-world health challenges. Their presentations impressed everyone in attendance, demonstrating not only their grasp of the material but also their commitment to practical, community-focused action. They bring not just language skills and cultural knowledge, but empathy and understanding that can’t be taught in textbooks. Our graduates are now part of that powerful statistic—ready to serve, advocate, and empower.

Graduation is just the beginning – Our new graduates are stepping into the world as public health professionals, ready to bridge gaps, break down barriers and uplift their communities.

Their passion for making sure no one else faces the challenges they did is exactly what our communities need. We couldn’t be prouder—and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make!

We also welcomed a special guest—Fanny Cai, a star student from one of the previous cohort’s to speak at the graduation and inspire our new graduates. Fanny now serves as a Community Site Manager at ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development), exemplifying the impact and possibilities that follow this training.

Empowering Massachusetts: $6.8M Grant Fuels New Opportunities in Workforce Development

The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced $6.8 million in workforce development grant funding for 15 initiatives across Massachusetts. These grants aim to train, upskill, and provide job placement for 1,112 workers in in-demand occupations, including health care, education, and finance. The funding is part of the Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants, administered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation .

We’re honored to be among the 15 recipients of this Workforce Success Grants funding. It will further enable us to train and place Community Health Workers in health care sectors, contributing to a more robust and equitable workforce in Massachusetts.

Join the Next Cohort

If you’re inspired by these stories and want to be part of a movement that changes lives-consider joining our next cohort! Your journey as a community health worker awaits.

Interested in the upcoming cohort? Click here to learn more and apply!