Health Foundation Grant to support ‘BankOn’ for Financial Health

Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) has been awarded a $62,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts Activation Fund to develop and implement a creative model to address poverty as a community health concern, bringing together community-based organizations, local government, and financial institutions to meet the needs of those striving to improve financial health and stability. Read more about it here.

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Warmed by community generosity

Worcester Community Action Council’s annual Coat Drive for Kids was able to deliver nearly 400 new winter coats to all of the children enrolled in the agency’s Head Start, Early Head Start and Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County programs, as well as provide for the children of teen parents enrolled in the agency’s Job & Education Center. Read more here.

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Fuel Assistance Now Available

With the arrival of colder temperatures comes the realization that for many, the option of simply turning up the thermostat does not exist. Low-income individuals and families facing disproportionately high energy costs are often forced to make household budget trade-offs that jeopardize children’s health, including choosing heat over food or health care. Fortunately the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help. Click here for additional information.

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September Enewsletter

Kicking off the fall with some BIG news and a fond farewell. WCAC stands ready to keep people warm with opening of Fuel Assistance program and Annual Coat Drive for Kids. Click here to read more.

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WCAC awarded $1.1M in early ed grants

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. today welcomed Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Congressman James P. McGovern and other state and local officials for the announcement of public resources totaling $1.1 million dollars to support its renovation of the former Webster senior center located at 116 School Street in order to relocate four of the agency’s Head Start classrooms to Webster. Read full story here.

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WCAC welcomes new staff to JEC

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. recently welcomed two new staff members to its Job & Education Center team – Case Manager Jacqueline Cox and Job Developer Kwesi Foster. The two will focus on creating employment opportunities for local individuals. Read more here.

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Summer 2017 Enewsletter

While the summer months are most commonly associated with vacations and time off, the work of Community Action Agencies never truly stops. Whether coordinating the YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program, implementing culinary training through Working Cities or a host of other programs and activities, we are most appreciative of the many various partners who support our efforts to help individuals and families reach economic self-sufficiency. Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Read more here.

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Hope Spring Eternal – Stories of Success!

People helping people. That is what WCAC is truly all about. In a world that sometimes seems to have gone mad with constant struggles and seemingly insurmountable odds, we thought it appropriate to take a moment to share stories of good… stories of hope… stories of success. From helping create healthy homes and healthy families to opportunities for healthy starts and healthy outlooks, we are community action. See full story here.
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Unsung heroes celebrated for anti-poverty efforts

WCAC hosted its 11th Annual Action Hero Celebration on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester. Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito was a special guest, along with keynote speaker Noah Berger, President of the Mass Budget & Policy Center. This year’s honorees included UMass Memorial Health Care, Charlton Oil, Biodun Akande and the agency’s own Head Start program. Read additional details about the event and the 2017 honorees here.

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Tanglewood Marionettes to visit Head Start

WCAC’s Head Start will host a free performance of The Fairy Circus by the Tanglewood Marionettes on Tuesday, May 23rd at 5 p.m. at 25 Cole Avenue, Southbridge. This is the third of three performances funded by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, as part of WCAC Head Start’s 25th anniversary. Learn more here.

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