Uplifting our Youth for 35+ Years
For over three decades, our youth department has been a beacon of opportunity and empowerment for the young people of Chelsea. We proudly serve over 200 youth annually through our year-round program and Summer Youth Employment Program. Each youth carries a unique potential, waiting to be unlocked, and our programs are designed to do just that.
The department is managed by a team of staff who are Chelsea residents and former participants of the very programs they now lead. The current director, having graduated from the Youth Employment program over 18 years ago, has dedicated nearly two decades to serving the community through La Colaborativa.
This legacy reflects our mission and the importance of our youth being able to look up to program staff and administration as local residents, and even more meaningfully as individuals who once sat in their very own seats, cannot be overstated. These leaders now stand as living examples of success, embodying the program’s core values of resilience, leadership, and community impact. By fostering local talent, we ensure that the youth of Chelsea not only have the tools for success but also the inspiration of seeing leaders who share their experiences and understand the unique challenges of their community.
Our Programs
We serve young people facing significant life obstacles, particularly those from underserved, immigrant communities of color. By equipping them with the tools they need to overcome barriers, we help them transform their circumstances and create pathways to success in a world often stacked against them.
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Norieliz DeJesus
Job Training
Each year, La Colaborativa’s Youth Jobs program hires and trains over 200 youth aged 14-24. Participants can intern at La Colaborativa in one of our community engagement programs or with an external employer partner. Local employers play a crucial role in supporting our program and community by hosting interns, providing professional mentorship, and helping young people explore potential careers. Youth jobs are available for either a summer session lasting six weeks or a school year session spanning 25 weeks.
Explore Youth Jobs
Wrap Around Services
In addition to our Youth Programs, we support our children through weekly mental health group sessions, one-on-one mental health counseling sessions, free academic tutoring, academic/career/college mentoring, financial literacy training, arts and cultural programs, resource navigation, housing, SNAP benefits, utility support, and food support.
Youth Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship Internship offers hands-on experience in starting, running, and scaling a company. Interns develop core business skills and create real businesses in Chelsea and beyond. Past interns have launched car-washing, clothing, jewelry, and graphic design companies.
RIOT Squad
Youth become engaged decision-makers and advocates for equity and justice through a curriculum focused on governmental systems, historical movements, grassroots organizing, and strategic planning. They are empowered to influence policy and engage civically. Alumni have worked closely with state leaders to pass critical legislation, including the Access to Counsel, the Eviction Sealing Bill, and the Student Opportunity Act, continuing to drive policy efforts that promote justice and equity.
Promoters of Health
As Promoters of Health, the youth will be empowered to raise awareness about critical health risks, advocate for better healthcare access, and educate their peers and families on preventive measures. They will focus on promoting healthier lifestyles, and educating others on how to manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes through proper diet, exercise, and regular medical check-ups. In addition, the program will emphasize environmental advocacy, highlighting the importance of cleaner air, safer housing, and improved urban infrastructure to reduce conditions like asthma and heart disease. Building on this foundation, we plan to offer future licenses and certificate programs through this cohort, opening clear pathways into the medical field for our youth. With these certifications, our youth will be equipped to continue their journey toward becoming healthcare professionals, contributing directly to improving the well-being of their communities while addressing health inequities at the systemic level.
All Cohorts Infused with Arts, Music, Academic Success, and Financial Literacy
Each of our programs integrates arts, music, financial literacy, and academic success to foster well-rounded youth. Arts and music serve as important coping tools and mental health resources, helping youth in our community express themselves, manage stress, explore their cultural heritage, and engage in social justice advocacy.
Financial literacy is a core focus, teaching essential money management skills for building long-term financial stability. Our programs offer academic support, college-prep resources, and scholarship opportunities, helping youth balance school and work while pursuing higher education or trade schools.
