Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

May 21, 2019 Giving Guide 2018

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

Future Goals

Having embarked on our second half-century of service to Central Massachusetts, WCAC remains committed to…

  • Providing alternative educational opportunities to help at-risk young adults prepare for and secure stable employment and livable wages through HiSET and higher education assistance, work readiness programs, skill building and short-term employment experiences.
  • Providing income-eligible households with home-heating assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency services.
  • Bolstering services to southern Worcester County through preschool and early education and care programming, home visiting to first-time parents, free income tax assistance and high school equivalency credentialing. 
  • Expanding strategic business partnerships to support employment opportunities for youth.
  • Continuing to work with local, state and federal legislative officials to ensure the stability of publicly funded programs for those in critical need of support, as well as for working families moving towards self-sufficiency.
  • Convening new and core partners to raise awareness of poverty issues and create a solutions-focused forum.
  • Integrating financial capability skills training and programming, while expanding access to mainstream banking for unbanked and underbanked in the community.

Fundraising Events/Opportunities

In what has quickly become a new family tradition, WCAC will once again be collaborating with The Hanover Theatre for a special performance of A Christmas Carol on December 20, 2018 with a portion of proceeds purchased to support WCAC. A special pre-show reception is also planned. Don’t be a scrooge – join us!

Each May, in conjunction with National Community Action Month, WCAC hosts its annual Action Hero Celebration. Join us at our 13th Annual Action Hero Awards to find out which organizations, businesses and individuals we’ll be honoring this year and to discover who will receive the coveted WCAC Green Action Hero Cape! 

Giving Opportunities

  • WCAC is in the midst of a Capital Campaign to raise funds to support the renovation of the former Webster Senior Center to relocate four Head Start classrooms. Details about funding opportunities and naming rights available by calling 508-762-9807.
  • An Annual Appeal, launched in November, and Spring Appeal launched in May, seeks funding to sustain the agency’s programs and services throughout the year. Donations accepted year-round at www.WCAC.net or by mail to WCAC, 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
  • New partners sought to provide professional workshops and mentoring, as well as summer and year-round employment opportunities for young adults through our Job & Education Center’s (JEC). 
  • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), better known as fuel assistance, serves more than 15,000 households annually throughout Central Massachusetts. Private donations provide additional fuel assistance for income eligible households right in your backyard, who are facing no-heat emergencies during cold winter months.
  • Donations of breakfast, lunch and snack options, gift cards and bus passes accepted for young adults enrolled in the JEC, many of whom experience food insecurity and face significant barriers to education and employment.
  • Head Start/Early Head Start and Healthy Families programs accept donations of school supplies and books for infants through age 5. Healthy Families also accepts new or gently worn infant and toddler clothing for its Baby Boutique.  

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Volunteers are always needed as tax preparers from January through April for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in which income-eligible residents have their income taxes prepared and filed at no cost. WCAC operates VITA in Worcester and Southbridge. Training for the IRS certification takes place in December.
  • Volunteers sought to provide specialized business presentations to at-risk young people preparing for higher education and/or 
employment through the agency’s Job & Education Center. Volunteer computer instructors are also needed to assist with résumé preparation, online job searching, and basic computer skills.

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT
Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.

Worcester Community 
Action Council, Inc.
484 Main Street, Suite 200

Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: 508-754-1176  

www.WCAC.net

Full-time employees:
85 full time, 30 part time

Annual revenues:
$21 million 

Year founded:
1965

Service area: WCAC serves the City of Worcester and 45 surrounding communities in Central and Southern Massachusetts.

Top funding sources:
Federal Funding 78%
State/Local Government 9%
Other/Earned Revenue 13%

Board of Directors

Jill C. Dagilis, Executive Director

Noreen Johnson Smith, Family Health Center of Worcester, Chair

Don Xenos, for District Attorney Joseph Early, Vice Chair

Brian Westerlind, Webster Five, Treasurer

Michael Keegan, Assistant Treasurer

Leslie Baker, Webster Adult Basic Education, Clerk

Donna Lombardi, Worcester Public Schools, Assistant Clerk

Dale Allen

Pedro Aponte, Head Start Policy Council Designee

Eric Batista, Designee for City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

Marybeth Campbell, Designee for Senator Michael O. Moore, Skillworks

Steven Desmarais, Designee for Senator Harriette L. Chandler, Polar Beverages

Tom Dubay

Eve Gilmore, Edward Street Child Services

Steven Joseph, UNUM

Olta Kodra

Alejandro Mango, National Grid

Peter J. Martin, Bowditch & Dewey

Radames Pagan, Plumley Village

Gladys Rodriguez-Parker, Designee for Congressman James P. McGovern

Karen Rucks, Designee for Mayor Joseph Petty, Quinsigamond Community College