08Sep

In Worcester, An Anti-Poverty Agency Helps its Neediest

September 8, 2010By

Full and original article posted on Mass.gov I have been to a number of anti-poverty agencies across the state and my awe at the dedication and effort of the people who work at these agencies has yet to subside. I know that I have written before about how Governor Patrick wants to make sure that we know in detail how the stimulus funds are working, so for this trip I paid a visit to the Worcester Community Action Council to see firsthand the impact of its stimulus funds. Once again, I was amazed at what this agency does to help some of the poorest in its city. Jill…

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29Apr
Two women smile at a formal event.

Kennedy keynotes WCAC meeting Senator’s widow shares enthusiasm

April 29, 2010By

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE WORCESTER — Victoria Reggie Kennedy told the audience gathered last night for the Worcester Community Action Council’s 45th anniversary celebration that the antipoverty organization is as vital today as it was when it was created as an outgrowth of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Ms. Kennedy, widow of the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, said her husband respected the work the Worcester organization does, and commended it for recommitting its efforts even as similar organizations are suffering in the tough economic times. “Some people said caring for the poor was a luxury we couldn’t afford, that…

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28Apr
A group of thirteen people in formal attire pose for a photo indoors against a brick wall.

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. 45th Anniversary Celebration April 28, 2010, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA Action Hero Award Recipients

April 28, 2010By

(Back Row- left to right): 45th Action Hero Honorees: J. Christopher Collins, Unum; James Howard, Center of Hope; Richard Leahy, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank; Bill Van Dam, NSTAR; Mrs. Victoria Reggie Kennedy; Andy Lacombe, Charter TV3; Lee Gaudette, Blackstone Valley Education Foundation; William Breault, Main South Community Development Corporation (Front Row- left to right):Tony Simas, NSTAR; Kathleen Reville, Seven Hills Foundation; Jeannie Hebert, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce; Ann Lisi, Greater Worcester Community Foundation; Jean Giguere, Smith & Jones; and Tony Shirley, Energy All Stars.

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28Apr
A celebratory program placed among white flowers, featuring the Worcester Community Action Council's 45th anniversary event details and logo.

WCAC’s 45th Anniversary – April 28, 2010

April 28, 2010By

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc, (WCAC) held its 45th Anniversary Celebration Event on April 28, 2010 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA. WCAC’s 45th Event celebrated the many organizations that have helped to contribute to WCAC’s achievements over the years, along with key action heroes. This year’s Action Heroes recognized included: Unum, Seven Hills Foundation, Main South Community Development Corporation, Center of Hope, Energy All Stars, Smith & Jones, NSTAR Electric & Gas Corporation, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and Education Foundation, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and Charter-TV3. At the same time, WCAC was thrilled to announce the establishment of the Senator Edward M.…

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12Feb
A diverse group of eleven people, dressed in business attire, stand smiling in a conference room.

WCAC Legislative Breakfast – February 12, 2010

February 12, 2010By

Legislative Breakfast Feb. 12, 2010: (left to right) Senator Harriette L. Chandler, Jim Kersten for Rep. Vincent Pedone, Stuart Loosemore for Rep. Anne M. Gobi, WCAC Board Member Winnie Octave, WCAC Board Treasurer Jack Foley, WCAC Board Chairwoman Deborah Penta, Rep. James J. O’Day, Stephanie Kozlowski for Rep. Paul K. Frost, Senator Michael O. Moore, WCAC Board Member Sue Obiero, and Rep. Robert P. Spellane.

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01Feb

Donna J. McGrath, Organizational Development Administrator, WCAC

February 1, 2010By

Full and original article posted on Telegram & Gazette What do you do? “My responsibilities include fundraising, technical writing and editing reports and proposals; public relations, events, program development, legislative work and being a representative of the agency on different community projects. It’s quite broad.” How did you get into this job? “WCAC was started in 1965 under president Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and funded under the Economic Opportunity Act. Under the federal regulations for the agency, it must have a tripartite type board, with one-third from the private sector, one-third community sector and one-third public sector representatives. Click here to read full article.

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16Dec
A diverse group of people, casually dressed, stand together in a bright library space.

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. Job & Education Center

December 16, 2009By

On Wednesday, December 16, 2009, sixteen students, ages 16-24, from the Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. Job & Education Center (JEC), accompanied by the WCAC computer instructor, opened library cards at the Worcester Public Library to assist with their individualized career readiness program. Dr. Judy Finkel, JEC Project Director and President of the WPL Board of Directors, believes that this is a truly beneficial opportunity for these young people. “We have formed a perfect partnership. The library cards will enable the students to borrow from the full range of library resources, and, most importantly, at this stage of their job and career search, to provide access to the…

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30Nov
A group of six people stand indoors, dressed in business attire, smiling. Two hold plaques.

WCAC recently celebrated National Philanthropy Day

November 30, 2009By

Jill Dagilis, WCAC Executive Director; Priscilla Holmes, Deputy Director; Steve Joseph, UNUM, Deb Penta, PENTA, Jennifer Roy, UNUM, and Chris Collins, UNUM (absent Cary Olson-Cartwright, UNUM). WCAC recently celebrated National Philanthropy Day by honoring PENTA Communications of Westborough and UNUM in Worcester. Hosted by the Central Mass Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Deborah Penta, along with Chris Collins, Steve Joseph, and Jennifer Roy of UNUM were presented with 2009 AFP awards. Deborah Penta, Founder and CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc., joined WCAC’s Board of Directors in 2007 because she was so compelled by the agency’s work to help 71,000+ income-limited people in 37 communities through 20…

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19Nov
A group of six people stand indoors, dressed in business attire, smiling.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Students

November 19, 2009By

(Left to Right) Brian Ngo, Samantha Giles, Nimo Yusuf, Sailaja Thavva, Benjamin Chow and Garrett Mason, MCPHS students 2009. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has always made community service a top priority among its students and college mission. MCPHS has incorporated a Service-Learning requirement to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which integrates community service with coursework and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. First-year students are required to select from several local nonprofit organizations to perform 20 hours of community service during their first trimester. Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) was fortunate to have the volunteer service of…

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