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July 16, 2020 Giving Guide 2020

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

Responding to the Crisis:

WCAC serves an already vulnerable population of low-income individuals and households which have been hit even harder by this crisis. Our first major shift was to maintain the quality and effectiveness of our services while moving to entirely remote operations. Throughout the crisis, WCAC has maintained our stabilization services while doing everything we can to meet basic needs for our clients, such as providing a virtual food pantry, subsidizing some transportation costs for our youth population, moving to virtual learning and education activities to keep our 300+ children and families engaged across our early education and care continuum, and offering additional relief aid to stabilize households in critical need of assistance.

Future Goals

In the face of COVID and anticipation of a growing demand for our services, the next year is focused on integrated strategies to meet our goals to: 

1)  build a “front door” approach to resource and referral for the community that impacts our clients with the highest level of quality and care to support their financial self-sufficiency; 

2) continue to act as a convener and advocate for public policy issues that directly impact our clients and that require universal attention to address root causes of the inequities our clients face; 

3) create opportunities for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion that support employee growth, while also strengthening our approach to service delivery by reflecting our community; and 

4) build technology systems, staff capacity and infrastructure that supports greater access to our services across our whole service area and that supports all staff to deliver services efficiently with the tools they need.

Fundraising Opportunities

We anticipate a far greater need for WCAC services as our collective community looks to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID19 crisis. If you are a household facing financial hardship due to recent job loss or reduced wages, WCAC is here for you, for your family, for your neighbors, for your community. Whether you are a long-standing client or suddenly find yourself in need of assistance for the first time, WCAC is committed to helping however we can and connecting vulnerable families with the community resources they need. If you can support our efforts with a donation, particularly during these challenging times, it would be truly appreciated. Donations are accepted year-round online at www.WCAC.net or by mail to WCAC, 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608

Volunteer Opportunities

• Volunteers 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. 

Giving Opportunities

• WCAC hosts an Annual Appeal in November and a Spring Appeal held in May in conjunction with Community Action Month, seeking financial donations to support and 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) Job One youth workforce initiative. 

• Private donations to WCAC’s Emergency Fuel Fund provide critical support 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.

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: $23 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

Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director

Noreen Johnson Smith, VP Development & Advancement for Family Health Center of Worcester, Chair

Don Xenos, Vice Chair

Steven Desmarais, Designee for Senator Harriette Chandler, Treasurer

Brian Westerlind, Assistant Treasurer

Leslie Baker, Designee for Representative Joe McKenna, Clerk

Donna Lombardi, Assistant Clerk

Dale Allen

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

Kathryn Crockett, Designee for Senator Michael Moore

Arianna Curet

Marco Estrella

Eve Gilmore

Mark Gustafson, Head Start Policy Council designee

Olta Kodra

Sean Lauziere 

Kristen Lemire

Peter J. Martin, Esquire

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

Karen Rucks, Designee for Mayor Joseph Petty

Janice Ryan Weekes