Processing Your Payment

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

January 8, 2020 Giving Guide 2019

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

Future Goals

Heading into the agency’s 55th year 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 19, 2019 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 14th Annual Action Hero Awards to find out which organizations, businesses and individuals we’ll be honoring this year!

Giving Opportunities

• An Annual Appeal, launched in November, and a Spring Appeal, launched in May, seek 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, mentoring, as well as summer and year-round employment opportunities for young adults, through our Job & Education Center’s (JEC) new Job One youth workforce initiative.

• 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, 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

Noreen Johnson Smith, Chair, Family Health Center of Worcester

Don Xenos, Vice Chair, Designee for District Attorney Joseph Early

Brian Westerlind, Treasurer, Webster Five

Michael Keegan, Assistant Treasurer

Leslie Baker, Clerk, Webster Adult Basic Education

Donna Lombardi, Assistant Clerk, Worcester Public Schools

Dale Allen

Arianna Curet, Department of Transitional Assistance

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

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

Eve Gilmore, Edward Street Child Services

Mark Gustafson, Head Start Policy Council designee

Steven Joseph, UNUM

Olta Kodra, Strategic Behavioral Solutions

Alejandro Mango, National Grid

Peter J. Martin, Bowditch & Dewey

Jeff Niro, EverSource

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

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