Cambridge, MA – Today, Boston-based nonprofit Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) convened a press conference at the Pisani Center in Cambridge to spotlight an innovative three-year program and study – AMP Up – that will now be offered to eligible CHA residents.

At the event, EMPath President & CEO Kim Janey and CHA Executive Director Michael Johnston were joined by Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, and State Representative Marjorie Decker. An EMPath mentor for AMP Up also spoke and shared the story of one of his participants, Simone, who is pursuing her MBA and hopes to work towards buying a home.

“EMPath was thrilled to celebrate the launch of our new partnership with Cambridge Housing Authority today, and we’re thankful to be surrounded by so much support from Cambridge Mayor Siddiqui, local leaders and community members,” said Kim Janey, President & CEO of EMPath. “This partnership will provide the opportunity to Cambridge Housing Authority residents to fulfill their goals, whether it’s completing a college degree or securing a better-paying job. We all deserve not just to survive, but to thrive.”

AMP Up, which has been offered to Boston Housing Authority residents since the program and study launched late 2021 and will continue to be, in addition to CHA residents, offers one-on-one mentoring support to residents as they set and work towards goals in areas like education, career advancement, finances, family stability (including housing), and wellbeing.

AMP Up is a program of EMPath – a Boston-based nonprofit that dramatically improves the lives of people living in poverty – with support from both CHA and BHA, and is offered as part of a study led by a Harvard researcher.

“It was wonderful to come together with residents of CHA and the greater Cambridge community today to celebrate our new partnership with EMPath,” said CHA Executive Director Michael Johnston. “This is the beginning of an exciting journey for many, and we look forward to supporting CHA residents who join AMP Up and pursue their biggest goals.”

Mentors support families throughout the program using EMPath’s economic mobility coaching model, Mobility Mentoring®. To date, 57 percent of current program participants have achieved at least one of their goals. Some program participants have reached milestones such as securing a good-paying job, completing an educational or training activity, or are working towards homeownership.

“It was incredibly energizing to come together with the residents of Cambridge today to celebrate a program and partnership that has the potential to have far-reaching benefits for the greater community,” said Cambridge Mayor Siddiqui. “When we work together, we can do more for our residents and transform communities.”

AMP Up participants meet monthly with their mentors and can earn up to $700 per year for making progress on their goals—like getting a good-paying job or a degree. To date, more than 400 participants are enrolled in the study.

“Every American deserves financial security — the breathing room to live with dignity, care for your family, and pursue your dreams. Innovative programs like AMP Up are helping to make this a reality by providing our community members with the resources and support to achieve economic stability,” said Whip Katherine Clark. “As I work to lower costs, create jobs, and grow the middle class, I'm eager to partner with EMPath so that more families in Cambridge will have access to this transformative program in the years to come.”

AMP Up is being evaluated by professor Lawrence Katz at Harvard University, with additional support from the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), based at MIT, and Opportunity Insights, based at Harvard. Eligible participants must join the study to receive the AMP Up mentoring program.

For more information about AMP Up and eligibility, families can visit ampupboston.org.

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Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a nearly 200-year-old organization that dramatically improves the lives of people living in poverty. Because creating economic opportunity is multifaceted, EMPath's approach is too. EMPath offers a unique combination of direct services; a learning network of human services organizations; and research and advocacy for what works. This “virtuous circle” allows each part of the organization’s work to inform what it knows, does, and shares with others to seed systemic change. To learn more, visit empathways.org.

About the Cambridge Housing Authority

Established under state law on December 9, 1935, Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance to more than 5,500+ low-income families, elders and disabled individuals through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs.

CHA invests in Cambridge families and provides enhanced support to almost 10% of the city population. By focusing on policy innovation and family economic opportunities, CHA meets its mission: to develop and manage safe, good quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in a manner that promotes citizenship, community, and self-reliance in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.

The Affordable Housing Accreditation Board (AHAB) has awarded national affordable housing accreditation to Cambridge Housing Authority in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Cambridge Housing Authority became the seventh affordable housing provider to receive AHAB accreditation. The designation of “Accredited Affordable Housing Organization” reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting high performance standards established by the affordable housing industry and to providing quality, well-managed housing.