Our Mission

Building Careers For
All

Founded in 1877, Community Work Services has helped people who face barriers to work obtain employment and achieve self-sufficiency through innovative job training, placement, and support services.

The Fedcap Group

Connected with a Global Network

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Community Work Services is a part of The Fedcap Group, a global network of top-tier nonprofit agencies dedicated to advancing the economic and social well-being of the impoverished and disadvantaged. We offer a platform for our agencies to collectively showcase the Power of Possible™, enabling them to focus on delivering proven services and solving systemic problems.


Every day, The Fedcap Group, in partnership with business, government, academia and community partners, is improving lives. We deliver measurable shifts in economic self-sufficiency for individuals while helping companies, insurers, local governments and educators meet their objectives.


Our innovative approaches to Education, Workforce Development, Health and Economic Development funnel through our national footprint of companies and impact the lives of over 300,000 people annually in the U.S. and Europe.

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Our History

140 Years of Purpose

Community Work Services was founded over 140 years ago by Annie Adams Fields in Boston to improve the lives of the city’s poor.

Ms. Fields believed that access to high-quality education and employment opportunities was the most critical way she could improve the lives of those in poverty. She sought to apply business principles and efficiency to this mission.

Since then, 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.

Our Team

Leadership & Board of Directors

Leadership Team
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Craig Stenning
Executive Director, CWS & Senior Vice
Retired
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Tanya Figelman
Director of Programs and Services
Retired
Board of Directors
George Spilios
Vice Chairman
Retired
Crown Uniform & Linen
Jamie Ross
Board Chairman
Retired
Financial Advisor, SagePoint Financial, Inc.
Janice Kimsey
Retired
Joe DiLorenzo
President, Chief Strategic and
Operating Officer, MD Group
Retired
Mary English
Longview Coaching, LLC
Retired
Mathijs Zandbergen
Head of Strategic Partnership as imec
Retired
Paul Davis
Principal, Marble Harbor Investment
Counsel
Retired
Seth Gelsthorpe
Senior Vice President at Welch & Forbes LLC
Retired
Steve DeSalvo
Board Treasurer
Retired
Susan Peillet Yule
Retired
Our Supporters and Partners

The Organizations That Make Our Work Possible

Success Stories

Lives Changed Through CWS

June 26, 2025
Russell Smith

Russell is currently focused on obtaining permanent housing and exploring additional training opportunities.

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April 14, 2025
Kevin Fowler

Kevin is working hard to rebuild his life after incarceration by taking various training classes and courses.

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February 19, 2025
Heather Henderson

Heather secured a position with At Your Service Staffing, where she now applies her certification and training across a range of hospitality roles.

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December 30, 2024
Deline Leandre

Deline enrolled in the At Your Service - Hotel & Hospitality Training Program and earned a prestigious American Hotel & Hospitality Training Program.

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October 29, 2024
Hector

Hector is a recent graduate of our Apex Clean Energy Institute (ACEI) Training Program.

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August 2, 2024
Ross

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April 8, 2024
Roberto

Roberto is a recent graduate of the National Grid Energy Infrastructure Academy.

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February 21, 2024
Bony

After successfully completing JRT, Bony continues to serve as a participant worker providing translation assistance to our migrant participants.

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Lyanet Vasquez

“Being homeless is just not an excuse.”

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Danielle McInnis

“I felt like I needed more. I needed a push. I needed to build my career more. So, I decided to start something new. And CWS helped make it happen!”

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Donald Haynesworth

“I have a whole new life, a whole new energy. It’s a great feeling. CWS is allowing me to be the man I want to be, for me and for my child.”

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Donate

Support New Beginnings

Your donation helps individuals overcome barriers and build brighter futures through education, employment, and essential support. Together, we create real change—one new beginning at a time.

Contact Us

Take the First Step Toward a Brighter Future

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Address
174 Portland Street Boston, MA
Main (617) 720-2233
Fax (617) 367-4759
By Public Transportation
Community Work Services is accessible via MBTA Green and Orange Lines and the Commuter Rail to North Station
Loading Dock Hours
Monday through Friday,
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Program Hours
Monday through Friday,
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM