About Us

Collaborative for Youth and Community Justice

The CYCJ is a women-led collaborative that began in 2012. Laurie Ross, Ph.D, Amy Ebbeson, MSW, and Jennifer Safford, M.Ed, long time community leaders in Worcester, realized there was an opportunity to combine their skill sets to have a greater impact in their shared community. Based on the belief that research intentionally conducted with a social justice perspective can help make often invisible disparities visible, they built a team of other community-engaged scholars and community leaders to fulfill the mission of the collaborative:

                   “Through the intentional application of science and love

                   we center equity to promote justice in the face of oppression.” 

Science + Love = Justice

Meet Our Amazing Team

Laurie Ross

Director of Research and Accountability

Jennifer Safford

Director of
Operations and Engagement

Amy Ebbeson

Director of Trainings and Clinical Support