From Cambridge Works, Feb. 20: Cambridge Works, the city’s transitional jobs program for younger residents (age 18 to 35) who haven’t been able to get or keep jobs, celebrated its 14th graduating class during a special ceremony Feb. 19 at City Hall. The program provides temporary jobs with the city and partner employers with intensive case management, soft skills development and job-search help so participants can get an unsubsidized job at the program’s end.

Cambridge Works is coordinated through the Office of Workforce Development for the Department of Human Services Program.

Mayor David P. Maher congratulated the graduates from the latest class. “We are so proud of you,” Maher said. “We are all so lucky to live in a community that cares deeply about its residents and works hard to get it right. This is a community that is built on neighborhoods and the people that live here. And this program is about government and businesses coming together to effect positive change.”

A former Cambridge Works graduate, Chris Rodriguez, returned to give the recent class some words of advice, encouraging them to never give up and reminding them of the dedicated staff team that will be there for them even after their time in the program ends, to help them secure employment using the skills they learned.

“I’m grateful to them for believing in me and coaching me through tough times,” said Christine Boireau, a member of the Cambridge Works Class of 2015.

Fellow student Isaiah Jackson said, “The support of the staff and my fellow participants helped me become an enhanced version of myself. The reflection I see in the mirror is of someone who is equipped with the tools needed for success. Thank you.”