Founded in 1999 and grounded in the belief that strong schools create strong communities, Blackstone Valley Education Foundation builds meaningful partnerships among schools, local businesses, and community organizations throughout southern Worcester County. Initially focused on awarding grants to educators, the organization has evolved to deliver learning, mentorship, and leadership development programs, with an emphasis on early career exposure for students. 

Executive Director Dr. Erin Conley believes early career exposure is critical to bridging opportunity gaps for young people. “Some students only know their city block, which limits what they can visualize for themselves and the professions they’re exposed to,” she explains. “Others have a plethora of networks and exposure to all kinds of professions. We want to transform education so that all students are better prepared to enter the workforce.”

At the center of BVEF’s work is the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy, now entering its 21st year. This eight-month leadership and career exploration program puts students in authentic workplaces and connects them with industry mentors. Historically serving high school students from districts across Worcester County, funding from Greater Worcester Community Foundation has allowed BVEF to include middle school students. 

The Youth Leadership Academy includes 12 to 14 in-person sessions, hosted at industry partner sites. Students gain insight into leadership across sectors while building essential soft skills. After one session, a ninth grader from Hopedale Jr./Sr. High School said, “Prior to this session, I did not know that there was more than one definition of leadership…I can see myself applying what I learned to improve myself and make a difference in my community.”

A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on “learning by doing.” Middle and high school students learn in separate, age-appropriate tracks, with middle schoolers building foundational leadership and career awareness and high schoolers diving into topics such as financial planning, marketing, and public speaking. Students then design and implement community impact projects, from independent high school initiatives to team-based efforts like the student-led STEM Unfiltered conference.

Erin, who has a deep educational background and completed her Ed.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, is now leading BVEF’s strategic vision to expand geographically and programmatically across Massachusetts and into Connecticut and Rhode Island. In addition to working directly with students, BVEF supports teachers and career coordinators in adopting this approach. “We make sure everything we do at BVEF helps the students build their networks, gain access to mentors, and get that early exposure,” says Erin.

This story was originally published in our 2025 Annual Report.