News  Community Corrections Staff Attend Grand Opening of Bioversity

Two employees of the Boston Community Justice Support Center (CJSC) - Kimberly Albin, program manager, and Goldie Aime, High-Tech Career Reentry Path Project Coordinator - along with Regional Program Manager Yardley Theolien, attended the Grand Opening of Bioversity, a MassBio initiative designed to introduce underserved populations to careers in the life sciences.

MassBio is a non-profit which was created to provide economic opportunities and bring diversity to workplaces in the life sciences profession. The event took place earlier this month at Southline Boston, the company's new 4,000-square-foot Morrissey Boulevard site in Dorchester which was formerly occupied by The Boston Globe. A year ago, representatives from MassBio toured the Boston CJSC and discussed potential opportunities for collaboration.

"OCC and MassBio are actively working on understanding how matriculation in Pretrial Treatment and Intensive Supervision with Treatment at the CJSC can enhance access to training via Bioversity," said Vincent Lorenti, Director of the Office of Community Corrections.

During the grand opening, Bioversity's first class of 20 students was introduced. The company offers a free eight-week certificate training program which includes a partnership with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The program provides students with a stipend and program graduates are offered career placement services in entry-level scientific operations roles at local life sciences companies, according to Ms. Theolien. The company plans to expand and offer additional training to provide mid-level talent development.

"Our staff was honored to celebrate Bioversity's grand opening alongside industry leaders, policy makers, and students. The overall excitement permeated throughout the state-of-the-art lab and classroom space," Mr. Lorenti said.

He added, "Kim's and Goldie's attendance at this event is one of the ways the Support Centers are engaging with the communities and the populations we serve as we try to increase opportunities for people who are justice-involved. Programs such a Bioversity also provide a steppingstone for clients to access career paths in emerging industries.”