Economic Development
La Colaborativa provides the full range of supports needed to get our community working and on their way to financial independence. We offer holistic workforce development pathways for youth and adults, ages 14 – 60.
In response to the economic impacts of the pandemic, we developed a rapid re-employment model to address widespread unemployment and underemployment in our community. Program components offer a cohesive and holistic pipeline for individuals to build basic work readiness skills, improve English fluency, access education and training opportunities, apply for jobs, start their own businesses, network with employers and clients, and get back to work quickly.
Two thirds of Chelsea residents reported job losses or lost income because of the pandemic. This figure includes undocumented workers, day laborers, and other “gig” workers, and is well above the local and national estimates of Latinx job loss. Many of our members rely on the food, travel, and hospitality industries, which have been devastated by the pandemic with no clear pathway to recovery.
Our activities are currently offered in-person and virtually. La Colaborativa has a laptop lending program to ensure interested participants have access to technology needed to participate if they cannot make the programs in-person.
Current Economic Development Programs
Rapid Re-employment
Coming soon.
Job Search Support
Resume creation
Interview Preparation & Translation
Career Building
Coming soon.
Building Employer Relationships
coming soon.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
La Colaborativa provides ample opportunities for community members looking to start or grow their own businesses. La Colaborativa assists worker owned co-ops in legitimizing their businesses and optimizing their earning potential. La Colaborativa is proud to support local businesses and community members in realizing their business goals
Financial Coaching
n addition to monthly Financial Literacy Workshops, La Colaborativa offers financial coaching to community members in financial need. Through financial coaching, community members are able to stabilize their financial situation while working towards getting out of debt and creating a sustainable financial future for themselves and their families.
English Classes
La Colaborativa offers free, in-person English (or ESOL) courses for our community members. Our classes are culturally relevant and focus on English language skills for the workplace and economic advancement.
Computer Classes
In partnership with Tech Goes Home, La Colaborativa offers computer classes in our state of the art computer lab for community members to develop technology skills needed to successfully research, apply for, and perform many jobs in today’s job market. Classes are 8 weeks long and meet twice a week. Upon successful completion of the class, students receive a Google Chromebook.
Financial Literacy Workshops
La Colaborativa promotes healthy financial habits through our Financial Literacy Workshops. In partnership with Eastern Bank, La Colaborativa provides monthly financial literacy workshops about basic financial wellbeing. These workshops are open to all community members and cover topics such as credit building, budgeting, financial planning, and loans.
Economic Development News
Hear from Gladys Vega on the Giving Done Right Podcast
In the season 3 premiere of Giving Done Right, La Colaborativa Executive Director Gladys Vega talks with hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette about our community, the pandemic, and what it truly means to have "boots on the ground." She discusses La Colaborativa’s...
Latino Heritage Month: We’re Celebrating Resilience & Opening Our Doors
https://la-colaborativa.org/2022/09/16/latino-heritage-month-were-celebrating-resilience-opening-our-doors/Applications are now being accepted for after-school jobs for Chelsea youth ages 14-21. La Colaborativa offers jobs in a range of diverse programs including Youth Organizing, STEM, Sports and Recreation and Carpentry. To apply please fill out the online application...
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to help immigrant families survive the pandemic.