A tribute to Outstanding Board of Directors:

Jonathan Siegel

Jonathan Sigel, Esquire, with the law firm Mirick O'Connell, joined the Board of Directors in December 2007. Since his appointment Jonathan has provided extensive pro bono services in the field of Human Resource law. A valued member of the Board’s Personnel Committee, he spends countless hours with Senior Management and the Committee and is looked to as a reliable source for legal guidance and policy updates.

Jonathan was instrumental in working with WCAC staff and volunteers to update every job description and conduct a thorough legal review. He is ever-ready to assist and makes himself available to management anytime we have a question. His generosity of time and talent continues and we look forward to his trainings for staff and management on employment law topics. Jonathan understands the importance of public-private partnerships and the "pay it forward" approach to volunteering. He has embraced the WCAC mission and he is a great partner.

A long-time inspirational community leader and supporter for Latino students to further their education beyond high school, Olga Lopez-Hill also advocates for children and families. She joined WCAC in 2006 as a part-time family advocate through the Worcester Community Connections Coalition's Parent Center. In the advocacy position, Olga made referrals to other agencies so that children and families received appropriate services. 

Working with Worcester Public School adjustment counselors and families of students, Olga ensured that families understood what the young people needed to succeed. She made home visits, accompanied families to housing court, and attended parent/school meetings when parents needed encouragement. "I did whatever I could. In some instances, students had medical issues (for example, diabetes), and parents must understand what is needed to keep students healthy and to support their children in keeping themselves well. I helped a client pack her apartment when she needed to move, and I went to a food pantry with a client, because she was afraid to ask for help," Olga remarked. 

Olga and other staff attend numerous trainings to learn about the new resources available so they are better able to make referrals to other agencies. "The needs are always different. We see many people with basic needs that we can help here at WCAC—food stamps, fuel assistance, GED—but issues involving domestic violence, housing, and hunger need to be referred to other agencies. Childcare is a big need." She noted that many more people are losing their jobs resulting in home foreclosure. It is a competitive job market with younger people having better skills.

Anne Bureau, Director of the Resource and Referral Center said, "Olga is the heart and soul of the WCCC Resource and Referral Center – beloved by both staff and parents alike. Her passion and caring for the work we do and for the people she works with is infectious. She consistently goes above and beyond and sets the standard for a great employee".

Recently, WCAC's Community Connections Coalition reorganized the Parent Center into a multi-faceted Resource and Referral Center. Olga, now Coordinator of General Operations, oversees six staff and seven volunteers with whom she loves to work. "It doesn't seem like much help, but in that person's life, it's a lot—food stamps, advocacy, fuel to heat their homes, GED classes...it's such a great need, and we see it every day."

One of Fatima Mohamed's dreams has come true: to help African refugees become self-sufficient. What began as a "kitchen outreach" project in her own home, has now become a 501(c)(3) East African Community Outreach (EACO) program housed at WCAC for over a year.

Traveling from Kenya, Africa, Fatima joined her husband in the United States in 1994, where they have been raising three children, now 10, 12, and 14 years old. "All my life, I have felt I have to help refugees. I put myself in their situation." 

Fatima left college without completing her Business Administration degree to work for the United Nations in Somalia. After two years, she worked for USAID in Mogadishu and Somalia.  Currently, she helps people from Somalia, Iraq, Burundi, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

After her move to Worcester, Lutheran Social Services hired Fatima as a case worker for Somali and Burundi populations. Many of the people she has helped have lived in refugee camps, some for 20-30 years.

Early last year, Kaska Yawo and Fatima approached the WCAC administration about providing outreach services to Africans. Given the magnitude of African refugees in Worcester and the number who arrive at WCAC for services, it was readily agreed that the volunteer group could operate out of the agency. The EACO is staffed by 7 full- and part-time volunteers who speak many of the African languages. Fatima and her team assist over 10-14 families a day with translation, housing, school, landlord, transportation, court, and job issues. "They need to learn to speak English; they need to be able to speak for themselves to become self-sufficient."

"People are in need, and I believe we can help each other, no matter what. I always look for solutions, ask for advice," Fatima remarked. "I don't hesitate to help without getting paid...as long as I help them."

Someday, Fatima will go back to school to get her final courses in bookkeeping. "I would love to continue to complete my education. When my children are a bit older, I will get my degree in Business Administration." But, for now, Fatima works long hours connecting Africans with services they so desperately need. "I do enjoy this work," smiled Fatima.