Ways We Help
Crittenton Women’s Union uniquely combines direct service programs, independent research, and public advocacy in its mission to help low-income women and their families achieve economic self-sufficiency. Each year CWU helps approximately 1,400 people through its mobility mentoring, housing, education, and workforce development programs.
Career Family Opportunity
Career Family Opportunity (CFO) is CWU’s groundbreaking pilot program that helps families achieve full economic independence. CFO participants create personalized plans laying out the steps they need to take to acquire the skills, knowledge, and strategies of a stable future.
Economic Mobility Institute
The Economic Mobility Institute (EMI) presents low-income women an opportunity to develop in one setting the skills, knowledge, and strategies necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. EMI grounds its training in the five pillars of CWU’s Bridge to Self-Sufficiency—family stability, well-being, education and training, financial management, and employment and career management.
GED
CWU’s GED program offers an alternative to a traditional school setting, providing young adults with the individual attention and supportive services they need to succeed. The full-time program’s holistic approach focuses equally on academics, support, and preparation for an economically self-sufficient future.
Housing
Crittenton Women’s Union is the largest provider of family shelter in Massachusetts, serving more than 350 families a year. During their stay, families develop a plan to help move them toward an economically independent life.
Family Support Services
CWU’s Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families program helps first-time moms and dads, 20 years old or younger, develop strong parenting skills and build the groundwork for long-term economic self-sufficiency. This free program supports young parents until their child’s third birthday.
Food Services
Crittenton Women’s Union provides a residential meals program for its congregate housing sites in Brighton and Allston and conducts a for-profit food business delivering more than 1,000 meals day. CWU’s food business revenues help support CWU and its programs.
