It has been an amazing year of energy and growth at WCAC! We are on track to achieve our goals within five strategic areas—Education, Employment, Energy, Asset Development, and organizational Capacity Building—to help people move to self-sufficiency. These strategies ultimately support the economic agenda in the region and the state.

It took an energetic staff team and board leadership to deliver 20 high-demand programs to more than 72,000 people in 37 communities! Thank you all. I am pleased to report that our budget doubled since 2006 from $13 million to over $26 million this year. Our energy programs are expanding; following 3 record-breaking years, we expect more than 16,000 households to apply for fuel assistance—an indication that the economy continues to bear down heavily on the ability to pay for everyday bills such as food and fuel.

WCAC supports the national agenda through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). The agency received over $11.3M in federal stimulus funds for education, jobs, energy, and asset development programs. Combined with state resources, WCAC administered a $1.4 M ARRA summer jobs program for nearly 1,000 youth in this region. Our Job and Education Center opened in October to help 100 young adults with pre-employment, educational advancements, and job placement. The weatherization program is receiving $8.3 M over a 3-year period to enhance energy efficiency in homes in this region, and $465,000 in Head Start ARRA funds for program expansion, staff development, and wages.

Over 20 partnerships are energized and growing! WCAC was invited to join two important energy collaboratives this year: the State Energy Sector Partnership comprised of the Departments of Higher Education and Labor and Workforce Development to collaborate with regional leaders and support regional education and training, along with the Institute for Energy and Sustainability—a group focused on developing Central Massachusetts as a green energy sector.

The Board of Directors welcomed District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr., along with Dale Allen, Vice President Community Engagement/QCC who will serve as the designee for Senator Michael Moore--both in public sector seats; Steven Joseph, UNUM Senior Vice President, Individual Disability Business Operation to represent the private sector; and Michele Mann for Head Start Policy Council.

In 2010 we will celebrate WCAC’s 45th Anniversary and observe the agency’s great work over time and honor our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners. Our program will include a tribute to one of our long-time heroes, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a man who supported community action work and stood ever-ready to speak on behalf of those who had little means, were less fortunate or downtrodden. During this gala event on April 28, 2010 at Mechanics Hall, we will look intently toward our future. It is bright, filled with promise, possibilities, and pathways to self-sufficiency and all of this, we know, will be fueled with great energy. I hope you will join us!