- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $2.2 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration grants awarded to 11 organizations to train 389 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the workforce for job opportunities in culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare.
“We all benefit when individuals re-entering our communities have the relevant skills and experiences they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will make a positive difference for our employers, economy and public safety.”
“These re-entry workforce development grants give those who are re-entering our workforce the chance to build out their skills and careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We're working with collaborators across the state to deliver job training and skill development that will benefit jobseekers, employers, and local communities.”
This latest round of Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Grants Program was funded by Fiscal Year 2026 grant funding through the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency within EOLWD. This grant program, which received continued funds in the FY25 budget, aims to improve workforce outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration.
“These investments will help support formerly incarcerated individuals through job training and employment opportunities,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “By supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through targeted training and employment opportunities, we are helping to breakdown barriers to employment, support critical skill building, and offer pathways to successful careers.”
“By partnering with Massachusetts employers dedicated to growing our diverse and skilled talent, this funding furthers inclusive employment in Massachusetts,” said President & CEO of Commonwealth Corporation Molly Jacobson. “CommCorp applauds these 11 grantees for creating pathways to success for incarcerated individuals, and for working to reduce recidivism across the state.”
The following is a complete list of the organizations awarded Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants for Fiscal Year 2026:
Ameelio Emerge Public Benefit Corporation, Boston: $240,000
Emerge Career will partner with nine Sheriff’s Offices; Dukes County, Franklin County, Norfolk County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Worcester County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Suffolk County to offer a training program with a focus on the transportation industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as commercial truck drivers at Aramark, Eric Z Disposal, Boston Concrete, Wind River Environmental, Feeney Brothers Utility Services, MAS Building & Bridge, Inc., Bay State Sewage Disposal, Inc., and Trucking Association of Massachusetts (TAM).
Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Greenfield: $200,000
Community Action Pioneer Valley will partner with Franklin County and Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office to offer a training program with a focus on the manufacturing, culinary, social services, and healthcare industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as line cooks, recovery coaches, custodial workers, and production occupations at Franklin Co. Community Development Corporation, Fitzwilly’s Restaurant, Whitman Properties, Inc., Nortek, Inc., and Center for Human Development.
Community Servings, Boston: $120,000
Community Work Services will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office to offer a training program to 60 returning citizens with a focus on the Clean Energy Technology industry and the Culinary Arts/Hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as solar photovoltaic installers, electrical power analysts, terraponics farm to table workers and hotel hospitality managers at Nexamp and Finesse Hospitality.
Community Workshops, Inc., Boston: $151,00
Community Work Services will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department to offer a training program with a focus on the culinary and hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as Kitchen Assistant and Food Service workers at Tatte Bakery & Cafe and Finesse Hospitality.
Interseminarian-Project Place, Inc.: $240,000.00
Project Place will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and Massachusetts Department of Corrections to offer a training program with a focus on the maintenance and manufacturing industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as facilities maintenance technicians, warehouse associates, material handlers, and drivers at New Market Business Improvement District and Aramark.
New England Center for Arts & Technology, Inc. (NECAT), Boston, $240,000
New England Center for Arts & Technology will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and Boston Pre-Release to offer a training program with a focus on the culinary industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as prep cooks, line cooks, catering cooks, sous chefs, and station chefs at Tatte Bakery & Cafe and Hilton Boston Park Plaza.
Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction, Inc. (PAACA), New Bedford: $225,000
Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction will partner with Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and New Bedford District Court Probation to offer a training program to 18 returning citizens with a focus on the healthcare and social assistance industries. Successful program graduates will be placed roles as community health workers, peer navigators, recovery specialists, and recovery coaches at Ignite Recovery and Burnes & Fortes Consulting.
Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester: $240,000
Quinsigamond Community College will partner with Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to offer a training program with a focus on the culinary and hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in food preparation roles at Snapchef, Latin American Health Alliance - Hector Reyes House, and Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
Second Street Second Chances, Inc.: $89,000
Second Street Second Chances will partner with Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office to offer a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in machinist roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Unistress Corporation.
STRIVE Boston, Boston: $240,000
STRIVE Boston will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department to offer a training program with a focus on the healthcare and transportation industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as security staff, direct & relief staff, therapeutic mentors, licensed CDL truck & heavy equipment operators, shuttle drivers, and track laborer workers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Keolis America Transport Inc.
Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc., Worcester, MA: $240,000
Straight Ahead Ministries will partner with Bristol County Sheriff’s Office to offer a training program with a focus on the construction and carpentry industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as construction workers, design workers, and wood working and craftsmanship workers, and remodeling workers at Carpentry Works and Outdoor Personia.
Statements of Support
Allison Sequeira, Senior Program Manager, Community Servings
“Community Servings is proud to be a first-time recipient of the Re-Entry Workforce Demonstration Grant from Commonwealth Corporation. This $120,000 award is a powerful endorsement of our Teaching Kitchen Job Training Program, which equips returning citizens with the skills, support, and confidence to rebuild their lives through meaningful employment. Second-chance workforce programs like ours are more than job training, they are pathways to dignity, stability, and long-term opportunity. We are deeply grateful for this investment, which will allow us to expand our impact and continue standing with individuals who deserve a fair shot at success.”
Lindsay Cornwell, Executive Director, Second Street Second Chances
“We are deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grant. This funding allows 2nd Street to expand our mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities. With this investment, we will be able to offer Advanced Manufacturing and Welding certification programs that provide participants with industry-recognized skills and a pathway toward sustainable employment. We are grateful to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation for recognizing the importance of this work and for their commitment to creating equitable opportunities statewide.”
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