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Winnie Octave
 "WCAC saved my life and my children's lives. WCAC prevents people from falling on their faces….it gives them strength to walk again," exclaims Winnie Octave, board member and Worcester Community Connections Coalition (WCCC) Parent Center volunteer. Over a 10-year period, Winnie has traveled a winding path from being unemployed to entering a Bioengineering Life Sciences program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute this fall through President Obama's College Scholarship Program For the Single Working Mom.
After moving to Worcester from New Jersey with her three children in 1995, Winnie secured a job with Ellis & Ellis. When the business closed in 1999, she was referred to WCAC by Workforce Central Career Center. Here she received pre-employment training to include Microsoft Office computer skills, mock interviewing, how to dress professionally, how to work as a team player, and she met with business representatives who in-
terviewed candidates upon successful completion of the program. In 2000, Winnie was hired full time by Chapter 13 Trustee—a private company providing bankruptcy services--and at the same time, she was invited to join the WCAC Board of Directors.
Winnie learned about the First-Time Homeownership program from WCAC staff, and she purchased a spacious home through the East Side Community Development Corporation. Although she was laid off last year, she is still optimistic and excited about all the opportunities that await her!
Winnie beams when she recounts all of her awards: in 2003, she was congratulated by Congressman Jim McGovern on receiving the WCAC Warm Friends Award. Later that year, as a committed WCAC board member, she was invited by Senator Edward M. Kennedy to testify before the Senate Subcommittee Hearing on the importance of continued federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding to community action agencies. CSBG supports children and families. Winnie had the distinct pleasure of meeting with the Senator one-
on-one: "We sat on a bench in the hallway; just me and the Senator talk-
ing about children…he was real!"
While she was in Washington, she met Hillary Clinton and supported her
efforts to increase wages. Winnie was honored with the MASSCAP Self-Sufficiency Award for working in the community, taking care of children, having
a full-time job, and purchasing a first-time home.
Nine years ago, Winnie, along with many parent volunteers, advocated for a drop-in center within WCAC's WCCC that would provide referrals and support to local parents and families. In 2008, the WCCC Parent Center was established at WCAC and, since its inception, has served hundreds of parents and families and continues to be an invaluable community resource.
"WCAC is the husband I don't have, and all the support I have been given are like little gifts," she says. "I'm happy to do whatever I can…I believe that I must always give back. It's the best way to enjoy life. WCAC gave so much….and still gives so much to me." Winnie will talk to anyone or any group about the help she has received from WCAC. She was asked to serve as the keynote speaker for WCAC's first GED graduation in June, sponsored by UNUM, which was held at Tuckerman Hall. She addressed a large audience of students and families about the importance of education and perseverance.
Winnie is a single mother of three children: her oldest son is 28 and has served 10 years as a full-time Marine in planning, her 20-year-old daughter is enrolled in the UMass Amherst nursing program, and this past summer, her 14-year-old son got his first paid job through WCAC's state-funded YouthWorks program—a 7-week employment initiative for eligible 14-21 year-old young people in Worcester. He saved his money for Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, where he was accepted with a full scholarship this past fall.
Winnie's parting words for everyone—"Broaden your territory! Get to know people, ask questions, and life becomes much better! React to life and life will react
to you!"
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