Rising college freshman Rafael Salas believes a youth development program run by the Cambridge Housing Authority is “the backbone of [his] success.” Work Force provides seven years’ worth of after-school workshops, mentorship, college preparatory courses, and more to youth in eighth grade through sophomore year in college who live in subsidized housing. “When you are living in poverty, you have so many challenges that are out of your control. We have to break down those barriers for our students,” says Kambiz Maali, deputy director of resident services at the housing authority.