La Colaborativa’s STEM Internship is designed to enhance and increase the capability of Chelsea youths to succeed in STEM fields through projects that develop core Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics foundation skills such as data collection, data analysis, and data organization through project based learning. Focusing on revitalizing the Chelsea community through the lens of Sustainability and Social Justice. The learning environment  provides them with a unique, holistic understanding of the impacts of engineering projects on the local Chelsea community. The program is structured to enable the youth to identify issues in their community and work collaboratively to identify and execute scientific solutions.

La Colaborativa’s Entrepreneurship Internship is designed for individuals who demonstrate interest in gaining hands-on experience starting, running, and scaling their own company. Entrepreneurship interns not only gain core business skills but also implement what they have learned through creating real companies within the Chelsea community and beyond. Previous interns have created car-washing companies, clothing companies, jewelry companies, and graphic design companies.

La Colaborativa’s RIOT Squad is designed to empower young people as agents for change in their community and beyond. This program consists of comprehensive training on issues of social justice, community organizing and creative, youth-led change. Youth in this program are expected to design and implement projects that serve their community, lead and speak at protests, and create awareness around issues of injustice by uplifting marginalized voices in local decision-making. To be successful, interns in this program must demonstrate strong public speaking and people skills and most importantly, show a passion for political engagement, creativity and community organizing. 

Youth organizers have been key leadership voices in La Colaborativa’s organizing for housing justice during the pandemic. They created a video featuring youth voices to raise awareness of the housing crisis and its impact on young people.

Desea Sonar is a free Saturday arts and cultural exploration for youth ages 10-14. Youth can choose from Guitar, Voice & Percussion (offered in partnership with Eureka Ensemble) or Hip Hop Culture, Music & Art (offered in partnership with Basement Trybe).

In partnership with the organization Soccer without Borders, La Colaborativa delivers a family-friendly and community-oriented soccer program to over 60 boys and girls ages 6-12. The children are engaged in soccer skills training as well as team-building, dialogue and art activities with the help of La Colaborativa youth leaders who are trained as assistant coaches.

This program gives Chelsea youth ages 16-24 a direct pathway into careers in the building trades. Offered in partnership with our local unions, youth develop leadership and job readiness skills at La Colaborativa and receive technical, hands-on training in carpentry through the North Atlantic States Carpentry Training Fund (NASCTF). Youth in this program receive technical training in partnership with the North Atlantic States Carpentry Training Fund and additional professional development and leadership skills in-house. Youth that thrive in this exploratory program are encouraged to apply for a formal paid apprenticeship with the union.