WCAC’s Resiliency Center Expands Financial Coaching with Support from the United Way of Central MA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Worcester Community Action Council’s Resiliency Center Expands Financial Coaching with Support from the United Way of Central MA
Worcester, MA – Worcester Community Action Council’s (WCAC) Resiliency Center has been able to expand its financial empowerment coaching program and improve the economic mobility of our clients with the support of the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM). This two-year partnership began in 2025 to help families navigate their financial goals by providing guidance and financial empowerment tools through a client-centered lens.
The WCAC Resiliency Center is dedicated to addressing community needs through programs and support services that help individuals and families overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. UWCM’s Community Impact grant of $40,000 per year has enhanced the center’s ability to deliver vital resources to the communities we serve.
In 2025, UWCM’s support helped families across Worcester and Southern Worcester County build financial stability through free coaching and tax navigation support. Participants increased their disposable income, received job skills training, gained employment, accessed housing assistance, and connected with mental health services — outcomes that reflect real momentum toward economic mobility and hopefulness about the future.
“Too often, families working hard to increase their earnings face the cliff effect, where a small increase in income leads to a sudden loss of benefits, making it harder to get ahead,” said Melissa Rivera, Lead Financial Empowerment Coach at Worcester Community Action Council. “Our financial empowerment coaching program helps participants plan for these transitions, make informed financial decisions, build confidence in managing their finances, and create a path toward lasting economic stability. This support is key to closing opportunity gaps and creating pathways to prosperity.
“With UWCM’s continued investment, 66 families received hands-on financial coaching this year alone, and dozens more got the tax support they needed to keep more of what they earned,” said Marybeth Campbell, CEO of Worcester Community Action Council. “We’re grateful UWCM trusts us to turn their investment into that kind of impact.”
Worcester Community Action Council is proud to partner with United Way of Central Massachusetts in advancing our vision of economic mobility to help our neighbors build lasting financial stability and long-term wealth through education, empowerment, and access to opportunity.
About Worcester Community Action Council
Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) is the federally designated anti-poverty agency serving Worcester and Southern Worcester County. Through our programs across 46 communities, including early education and care, youth workforce development, energy assistance, free tax preparation, and financial empowerment coaching, WCAC creates economic mobility opportunities for tens of thousands of residents each year. WCAC holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Learn more at wcac.net.
For more information, please contact Giselle Rivera-Flores, Chief External Affairs Officer, at 508.762.9800.