(Last updated: February 2024)

EMPath is proud to partner with the City of Newton, MA, to lead their new initiative to boost economic mobility among low-income residents impacted by the pandemic. The program, called Newton Thrive: Newton's Economic Mobility Initiative, is supporting 50 Newton families with EMPath's economic mobility coaching and is providing $250 unrestricted cash assistance per family per month over the course of two years. 

After recieving much interest in the program, participant enrollment is now complete! In September 2023, Newton Thrive officially began mentoring services for those enrolled and eligible participants have been joining on a rolling basis. 

Participants have been engaging one-on-one with an EMPath mentor to assess where they are at currently and establish goals that are centered around key areas: education, career advancement, finances, family stability (including housing), and well-being. Our coaching model—Mobility Mentoring®—gives families additional tools and resources to support them in their climb up the economic ladder.

If you have questions about Newton Thrive, please email newton@empathways.org.

Current participants in Newton Thrive met the following program eligibility requirements at the time of intake: 

• Lived in Newton, MA
• Had children under 18 in their household, or were pregnant 
• Were 18-60 years old
• Had an income at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI)
• Were interested and able to work in the U.S.
• Were willing to meet with a mentor regularly, in person or virtually

A priority of the City's initiative is to support the economic stability and mobility of individuals and families with low incomes who were impacted most by the pandemic, disproportionately Black and Brown families. Additionally, the program focuses on families who are at-risk of homelessness, are living in subsidized housing, or who are otherwise struggling.