Worcester Community Action Council Releases Findings from Southern Worcester County Community Needs Assessment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Worcester Community Action Council Releases Findings from Southern Worcester County Community Needs Assessment
Worcester, MA – December 12, 2024 – Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), in collaboration with several key community partners, Crescendo Consulting Group, and funded by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, recently announced the findings of a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment for Southern Worcester County. This pivotal assessment identifies critical gaps in services and resources related to economic stability, education, and housing, providing a strategic roadmap for enhancing community support and addressing regional disparities.
The assessment was meticulously conducted through environmental analysis in 13 towns within Southern Worcester County, utilizing data from local and national databases. Extensive community input was garnered through in-depth interviews with stakeholders, focus group discussions, and surveys engaging community members, service providers, and town and county leadership.
“The findings from this assessment highlight the urgent needs within our community, particularly the lack of accessible resources, high living costs, and social inequities,” said Marybeth Campbell, CEO of WCAC. “Thanks to the dedication of our community partners and the comprehensive data collected, we are now better equipped to address these challenges through coordinated efforts and strategic planning.”
Key challenges identified in the assessment include:
- Inaccessibility of essential resources.
- Limited coordination among local organizations.
- High costs of living affecting economic stability.
- Persistent social inequities impacting community members.
Based on the assessment, community needs have been categorized into six main areas: Root causes, Housing, Health and Behavioral Health, Basic Needs, Childcare and Youth, and Community Equity.
WCAC will utilize these findings in collaboration with the project Steering Committee, community partners, municipal leaders, town officials, and legislators to foster discussion and develop targeted strategies at upcoming community forums. The full report, along with detailed strategies and recommendations for addressing these identified needs, can be accessed by clicking here.
“It was great to see the room filled with providers and town counselors that have the same passion to help and support our community and want to stay updated with the needs identified by the community residents,” said Dolores Toribio, Program Director of the Southbridge Community Connections Coalition.
WCAC extends heartfelt thank you to all community partners involved in this significant endeavor: You, Inc., Southbridge Community Connections, The Family Resource Center of Southbridge, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Open Sky, Parent Professional Advocacy League, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Kiva Centers, the YMCA, and the Research Bureau. Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in shaping the future actions to improve the quality of life in Southern Worcester County.
