Building Community and Promoting Opportunities for Youth: Waltham Partnership for Youth

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Building Community and Promoting Opportunities for Youth: Waltham Partnership for Youth
Language: English
Authors: Gabriella A. Norwitz, Ann G. Hess, Kaytie Dowcett, Lawrence N. Bailis, Magali Garcia-Pletsch
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(3).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Urban Areas, Program Effectiveness, Community Programs, Nonprofit Organizations, Youth Programs, High School Students, Graduation Rate, Dropout Prevention, Mental Health, School Community Relationship, Public Schools, Success, Well Being, At Risk Students
Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70124
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Ensuring that school-age students have the skills and resources to thrive today as well as the opportunities to forge a path towards long-term wellbeing and success is a primary responsibility of public schools and of communities. This can be challenging, especially in low-resource settings with a preponderance of recent immigrant and non-English speaking students. Contributions to Practice: Waltham partnership for youth (WPY) is a community-based nonprofit that has been working for over 30 years to meet the needs of students in the city of Waltham in eastern Massachusetts. Here, we review WPY's history, organizational structure, and flagship programs. We present data to demonstrate the success it has had in increasing high-school advancement/graduation rates, reducing school dropout rates, and addressing mental health. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Partnering with community-based nonprofits can help public schools address some of the underlying social determinants, thereby improving the long-term success and wellbeing of school-aged youth. Conclusions: WPY represents a model organization of how to partner with public school systems to access, coordinate, and deliver social support resources to better support the youth in their community.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1498410
Database: ERIC
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