The MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board (CIWB) was honored with the 2023 Outstanding Youth Organization Award at the recent Philanthropy Day celebration hosted by Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands (PPCI). The CIWB was selected after being nominated for its longstanding ArtWorks mentoring program.
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized with this prestigious award for the CIWB and ArtWorks,” said Kara O’Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director at the CIWB. “That ArtWorks has existed for 27 years in the region speaks to the enduring need to make the Arts accessible to all. The creative economy is vital to our region and the CIWB remains committed to ensuring students in our communities have access to career pathway education.”
A video introduction at Philanthropy Day honoring the CIWB noted the program is offered free of charge, including supplies, to high school students who participate. The narration stated, “One of the cornerstone values of the ArtWorks program is to provide equal opportunities to creative students of all backgrounds, geographic location, or socioeconomic status. The MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board prides itself on breaking down barriers to accessibility, embracing a diverse population of students.”
For the past 27 years, the ArtWorks program has been at the forefront of empowering connections between working artist mentors and aspiring student artists in the Cape and Islands region through a 40-hour internship opportunity. The recognition by PPCI is a testament to the program’s enduring impact on the lives of countless students and mentors and its outstanding contribution to the region’s career and college readiness activities.
The award ceremony drew several hundred attendees and highlighted the CIWB’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity, personal development, and community engagement through the ArtWorks program. The Outstanding Youth Award is one of four Distinguished Service to Philanthropy Awards presented annually by PPCI.
According to PPCI, “Philanthropy Day is an opportunity for learning, sharing, and recognizing the dedication and generosity of those who support the many nonprofits on Cape Cod and the Islands.” As part of the day’s educational sessions, the CIWB’s Business Development Coordinator, Silene Gordon, co-presented a one-hour workshop entitled, “The Power of Partnerships and Resource Sharing.”
