2025 Power 100: Heather Elster
Photo I Whitin Community Center
Heather Elster, executive director of Whitin Community Center
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Elster has been with the WCC since 2006, and executive director for a decade, helping the organization fulfill its mission of enhancing the health and well-being of people in the Blackstone Valley. The nonprofit, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, runs the Blackstone Valley Children’s Place early learning center, athletic facilities, classes, and events. It was originally founded in the 1920s and referred to in its early days as The Gym. WCC is 53% of the way to its goal for its $10-million centennial capital campaign.
The organization completed a renovation of the community center gymnasium, added two new outdoor play spaces in its Whitin Park, replaced equipment in the fitness room, replaced lockers, and took steps towards code compliance for its 100-year-old original pool. WCC has raised funds for an expansion of its early learning center to the original Northbridge high school. Funds raised include more than $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, $750,000 in Underutilized Properties Program monies, and capital campaign donations. The expansion will allow the nonprofit to serve 85 more families, 50% of whom will receive public subsidies. It’s expected to create up to 15 new jobs.
Laura Finaldi is a former WBJ reporter and current freelance writer.
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