Community Work Services was founded in 1877 as the Cooperative Society of Visitors Among the Poor of Boston to provide services to the poor of Boston and address the roots of poverty through employment, education, and housing improvements. Our founder, Annie Fields, is said to have been a transitional figure in the development of a professional social-service network. Mrs. Fields hoped to apply business principles and efficiency to benevolent activities and charity work. For over 140 years, CWS has stayed true to the mission set by our Founders while also expanding the scope of our programs and widening the range of the populations and geography we serve.