The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Community Summer Jobs Program, which has supported thousands of local students through partnerships with community organizations. This year, 25 organizations are receiving grants to support nearly 300 seasonal jobs.
The annual program is designed to help civic and social service agencies by providing funds to hire youth workers in Massport’s neighboring communities including Bedford, Charlestown, Chelsea, Concord, East Boston, Lexington, Lincoln, Revere, South Boston, Winthrop, and Worcester. Without the assistance of Massport’s Community Summer Jobs Program, many local organizations would not be able to offer affordable summer programs to local residents. Since 1991, close to 8,000 local students have gained valuable work experience in various jobs, such as camp counselor, office assistant, maintenance worker and lifeguard, paid for by the grant.
“Massport is proud to partner with and support the great work of these non-profit groups and community organizations, especially as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic,†said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “These summer jobs provide a great opportunity for young people to learn important life skills, gain professional experience, and earn a paycheck, while giving back to their communities.â€
The 2021 program will support the following local organizations:
• Community Action for Safe Alternatives (CASA)
• Winthrop Parks and Recreation Department
Massport also supports local youth athletic and enrichment programs throughout the year and offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors. For more information on Massport’s community initiatives and youth programs, visit www.massport.com.