BROCKTON, Mass.– JVS Boston (Jewish Vocational Service), one of New England’s largest workforce development and adult education agencies, is expanding to the South Shore this month in partnership with House of Possibilities (HOPe) to open a new branch in downtown Brockton.
The new branch provides a fully accessible, beautifully renovated space in downtown Brockton where JVS, HOPe, and Old Colony YMCA (OCY) are collaborating to substantially expand career exploration, community engagement, and healthy living services for Brockton youth and adults with disabilities, their families, and immigrants and refugees.
The catalytic partnership, named the Brockton Career & Community Initiative (BCCI), received $1.5 million from Liberty Mutual Insurance’s inaugural round of Impact Driven Collaboration grants in support of program development, community engagement, and pilot initiatives for people with disabilities in the Greater Brockton area. Located at 142 Crescent Street in Brockton, the BCCI is expected to serve about 150 people with disabilities and their families annually.
JVS Boston President & CEO Kira Khazatsky said: “JVS is so proud and excited to work with House of Possibilities and Old Colony YMCA — partners with deep Brockton roots — to help equip youth and young adults with disabilities entering the job markets, their families, and recent immigrants and refugees with education, resources, and support to access jobs and opportunity in Brockton.’’
“This initiative is a powerful example of how collaboration can expand opportunity and strengthen communities,” said Nageeb Sumar, President, Liberty Mutual Foundation. “JVS Boston, House of Possibilities, and Old Colony YMCA each bring unique expertise and trusted relationships to this partnership, and together they are creating pathways to education and employment that will have a lasting impact.”
Inspired by a shared passion for inclusion, the BCCI offers a continuum of services to the Brockton community. BCCI provides college navigation, social recreation programs, career exploration, and job coaching services to 14-16-year-old Brockton and Randolph students with disabilities. For 18-21-year-old students with disabilities in the area, BCCI offers intensive employer-led internships, career services, day programs, overnight respite, and social recreation programs.
In addition to serving youth and adults with disabilities, BCCI will host JVS Boston’s English 2 Employment program, which offers on-site career services for Brockton residents in emergency shelters, and vocational English classes and career coaching to support refugees and immigrants to find employment.
HOPe, JVS, and OCY will be hosting an official opening ceremony for BCCI on Thursday morning, May 21, with top state and local officials, senators, and community leaders serving the area, including Brockton Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues; Sarah Peterson, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS); and Liberty Mutual Foundation’s Sumar.
Creating a space where BCCI and E2E participants are both being served mirrors JVS’s fully inclusive approach to serving both populations at its main Boston office. Said Khazatsky: “We’re building out a model we hope can be replicated in many other Massachusetts Gateway Cities in coming years.’’
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About Brockton Career & Community Initiative (BCCI)
Brockton Career & Community Initiative (BCCI) is an inclusive career and community development partnership that serves one of the most diverse communities in Massachusetts. Co-led by JVS Boston, House of Possibilities, and Old Colony YMCA, BCCI provides career and life development services to youth and adults with disabilities, their families, and immigrants and refugees all in one convenient location. BCCI is powered by the potential of people with disabilities and people navigating other barriers and collaborates with community partners to build a more inclusive workforce and world. For more information about BCCI, please visit www.jvs-boston.org/bcci/
About JVS Boston
JVS Boston (Jewish Vocational Service) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonsectarian organization founded in 1938. JVS serves more than 14,500 individuals annually and is one of the largest community-based providers of adult education and workforce development services in New England. JVS’s mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, while partnering with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces. In support of this mission, JVS provides a wide range of adult education, vocational training, job readiness, career counseling, and job placement services, as well as related supportive services. For more information about JVS Boston and its commitment to workforce development, please visit www.jvs-boston.org
Click here to read about the grand opening in the Brockton Enterprise.