At-Risk Youth in MetroWest:Providing Adult Guidance and Support

Sponsoring Partner: The Sudbury Foundation

Lead Innovator: Yolanda Ortiz

TEMPO Young Adult Resource Center launched as a program of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network in Framingham in 2007, Tempo Young Adult Resource Center is a “one-stop” resource center to meet the challenges faced by young adults between the ages of 17 and 24, who are leaving state custody (approximately 650 per year in Massachusetts) and thus lose health care, housing, educational support and mental health services. Tempo offers resources for all young adults, without eligibility restrictions, whether for help with one specific issue or for complex, interrelated goals such as preparing for employment, completing probation, getting behavioral health treatment, or securing a stable place to live.

Food, Nutrition, and Fitness: Promoting Healthy Living for Children, Youth, and Families

Sponsoring Partner: The Trefler Foundation

Lead Innovator:  Alicia McCabe

Healthy Aging:  Engaging and Supporting Older Adults in their Communities 

Sponsoring Partner: Tufts Health Plan Foundation

Lead Innovator: Lisa Krinsky

The LGBT Aging Project is the oldest organization in New England dedicated to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults and caregivers have equal access to the life prolonging benefits, protections, services and institutions that their heterosexual neighbors take for granted. Through LGBT cultural competency for mainstream aging services, public policy advocacy and community building for LGBT older adults and caregivers, the Aging Project ensures that LGBT older adults can age with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Impact Investing: Scaling Social Enterprise

Sponsoring Partner: The Devonshire Foundation

Lead Innovator:  Paul Key

WorkExpress, a program of Father Bill’s & Mainspring, is a social enterprise that employs homeless men and women in landscaping, cleaning, apartment rehab, and graffiti removal jobs for a variety of customers. In addition to this work, participants benefit from intensive services and residential living, preparing them to graduate within a year to outside employment and housing.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Enrichment for Children and Youth

Sponsoring Partner: Amelia Peabody Foundation and Microsoft New England Research & Development Center

Lead Innovator: Connie Chow

Science Club for Girls builds self-confidence and literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in girls from K-12th grades, by connecting them with mentors and role models in these fields through hands-on explorations. We help girls dream of a future where they can make a difference, through STEM and otherwise.

Workforce Development: Skills and Support for Workers in Today’s Economy

Track Sponsor: Highland Street Foundation

Lead Innovator: Jon Feinman 

InnerCity Weightlifting reduces youth violence by using weightlifting to get youth off the streets and into the gym, where students are provided with academic and career support. Students become part of a new positive community and support network, empowering them to say no to violence and yes to opportunity.