Worcester Business Journal

36 Giving Guide 2019 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com Open Sky Community Services 1. To enhance our commitment to service excellence by strengthening core services. 2. To explore ways in which we can better integrate services with the health care system. 3. To increase our investment and effectiveness around workforce development. By offering an outstanding employment experience, we hope to boost recruitment and retention of talented and committed staff. We are collaborating with peer agencies, colleges and others to achieve this goal. 4. To expand opportunities for community membership for the individuals we serve. 5. To continue to develop strategic partnerships with other providers, non-profits and municipalities. Open Sky sponsors three major fundraising events throughout the year. Our Safe Homes Gala in the spring, which supports our Drop-In Center and services for LGBTQ+ youth, features a silent auction and fund-a-need opportunity; the Valley Friendship Tour in June, a walk, run or cycling event for people of all ages and abilities; and the Valley Bag Toss in the fall, a community cornhole tournament that helps support Open Sky's health and wellness initiatives. All three events provide opportunities for corporate sponsorships, individual financial contributions and donations of raffle or auction items. In addition, through ValleyCAST, Open Sky's art and culture subsidiary, we host a wide array of art exhibits, concerts and theatrical performances. A portion of all ticket sales and art purchases help to support these inclusive events, which provide opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities to come together around common interests. Open Sky welcomes the contributions of organizations and individuals of all ages and walks of life – from high school or college students performing community service, to adults and seniors looking to give back, to corporations looking to build team spirit and meet local communities. We offer a wide range of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout our organization and across Central Massachusetts. Volunteers may choose to work directly with one or more of the individuals we serve, help organize or run a special event or provide behind the scenes support. No matter what volunteer position you select, you will be making an important contribution. Our online giving portal at openskycs.org accepts donations throughout the year. These donations may be earmarked for a specific purpose or project, but generally fund areas of greatest need. We mail two winter annual appeal letters: a general letter in support of Open Sky and one specific to fundraising for our Safe Homes Drop-In Center for LGBTQ+ youth. A second appeal letter is sent at the beginning of the year. In order to ensure that all of the people we serve are recognized with a gift during the holiday season, we seek donations of gift cards for our Holiday Gift Drive from companies, businesses and faith communities. As noted, we sponsor three major fundraising events during the year. For one of these, the Valley Friendship Tour, a major portion of the funds raised comes through peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, with Tour participants soliciting support from family and friends. Ken Bates President and CEO David Przesiek Fallon Community Health Plan, Chair MISSION STATEMENT SERVICE AREA: Throughout Central Massachusetts with additional programs in the Metrowest, Boston and South Norfolk areas. Blending best practices with the power of community, we partner with individuals and families to see beyond and live beyond perceived limitations to pursue fulfilling lives. DMH .....................................40% DDS ......................................32% MassHealth/DMA ..................15% TOP FUNDING SOURCES: Judith Kirk, Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, Vice Chair Donna Connolly, Mass Education and Career Opportunities, Inc., Clerk Vera Raposo, Stowe and Degon, Treasurer John Ford, Community Volunteer Peter Bacchiocchi, Girard Financial Group Mary Ellen Larkin-Root, Solid Benefits Group David Bunker, Community Volunteer Kevin Hunt, Worcester Restaurant Group Jay Bry, Fitchburg State University Leonard Doerfler, PhD, Assumption College Donald Doyle, Webster Five Paulette Goeden, University of Massachusetts Medical School Maedon Coburn, Appleseed Personnel Services Sara DeCarvalho, MS, LMHC, Rhode Island Primary Care Physician's Corporation Open Sky Community Services 4 Mann St., Worcester, MA 01602 Phone: 508-755-0333 openskycs.org Full-time employees: 1,101 Annual revenues: $78,700,000 Year founded: 1973 BOARD OF DIRECTORS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES FUTURE GOALS FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES What attracted me to Open Sky initially was the commitment of the 1100 full-time associates who make a positive impact on the lives of individuals we serve. What has kept me engaged is the question I ask myself each day: "If we weren't there for these individuals and families in Central Massachusetts, who would be?" Chairing and serving with Open Sky's Board of Directors and other like-minded volunteers is what I can do to ensure that these critical services will be available now and for the future. I couldn't ask for a better job. – David Przesiek, Board Chair

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