News

04Aug

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

JOBS, JOBS, AND MORE JOBS

August 4, 2009By wcac

Congressman Jim McGovern at the Worcester Public Library with WIA Summer Jobs participants (Photo courtesy of Mike Reno) Congressman Jim McGovern saw firsthand how federal stimulus funding is helping young people gain employment experience. On August 4, 2009, he visited the Worcester Public Library where 12 young people are working for the summer doing library tasks such as shelving books, helping patrons access the Internet, clipping newspaper articles for the archives, and much more. The Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. is the lead agency for the summer jobs program in Central Massachusetts. With federal Workforce Investment Act funding through the Central Mass Regional Employment Board, the agency has…

18Jul

Young residents get weatherization training

July 18, 2009By wcac

Full and original article posted on Telegram & Gazette WORCESTER — The Worcester Community Action Council held a hands-on demonstration on weatherization this week to teach young people about energy conservation. The pilot program included 11 participants from Worcester, who will apply the skills they learned by helping to weatherize houses in the Main South area. The program also provides them with skills for a possible career. “It’s a different kind of summer job that can lead to a career for anyone looking for work in weatherization and contracting. It’s something they’ve never seen before,” said Mark Sanborn, director of energy resources at WCAC. At the demonstration, participants learned…

29May

US funds give youths a shot at ‘real’ paycheck

May 29, 2009By wcac

Full and original article posted on Telegram & Gazette Jack Fontaine of North Brookfield makes a dollar or two an hour in the Southbridge Center of Hope’s shelter workshop. Mr. Fontaine, 21, took orders at the center’s bookstore and swept a garage yesterday. For two years, he has been training at the center. Now he’s ready for competitive community-based employment, said Rachel Reyes, director of programs at the center. Click here to read full article.

13May

A large group of women of diverse ages and ethnicities are gathered in a grand hall on a staircase.

Worcester Community Action Council’s Unsung Heroine

May 13, 2009By wcac

Priscilla Holmes, WCAC Deputy Director, was recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as one of the 100 “Unsung Heroines” of 2009 at the State House on May 13, 2009. A West Boylston resident, Priscilla Holmes will be honored for her extraordinary work with customers—particularly women—during her almost 20 years at the antipoverty agency that serves over 70,000 individuals and families in 37 towns through 20 emergency and economic self-sufficiency programs. WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagilis said, “Priscilla is a consummate professional. She consistently demonstrates keen leadership, decision-making, and team building skills. Her work has a strong common theme: service to people in need. As…

06May

Third Annual Action Hero Awards – 2009

May 6, 2009By wcac

On May 6, 2009, the WCAC held its Third Annual Action Hero Award event at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester. Six individuals and/or organizations were honored for their monetary contribution, in-kind goods and services, and advocacy to WCAC: John Laracy, Bagel Inn Joseph Clouatre, Innovative Business Partners Debbie C. Guiney and Michael Carroll, AllCom Credit Union Nancy Concemi and National Grid Call Center staff WCAC’s Worcester Community Connections Coalition Parent volunteers Rod Lee, Telegram & Gazette Dr. Melinda Boone, keynote speaker, was introduced by J. Christopher Collins, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, UNUM. View photos from the event below:

26Mar

A group of ten people stands smiling in a wood-paneled room.

Central Massachusetts Annual Philanthropy Day 2009

March 26, 2009By wcac

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) recently nominated and honored the “Renovation Team” for the Association of Professional Fundraisers (AFP) of Central Massachusetts Annual Philanthropy Day. A luncheon was held recently at Cyprian Keyes in Boylston to salute supporters of local agencies. WCAC was pleased to endorse and salute Paul Fontaine, Liberty Movers; Debbie Delorey, Delorey Contract Interiors; and Fran Madigan and Steve Pratt, F.W. Madigan Company, Inc. for helping enhance the WCAC facilities this past summer for our staff and customers. Jumpstarted with a generous donation of used systems furniture from National Grid, many contractors stepped forward to meet WCAC’s impossible deadline of about five weeks to…