Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | June 26, 2023 | Worcester Business Journal 9 "It is such an honor to be the first woman of color to lead this organization," she said. "Also, it's a reminder that I have the ability to influence the next wave." Work to be done Orzoco joins Abby's House at a time of growth. Prior to the start of the COVID pandemic, the organization renovated one of its buildings, located at 52 High St. in Worcester, where 56 of its 72 single-room supportive housing units are located. e building holds a common space, known as the Annette Rafferty Women's Empowerment Center, in honor of the organization's founder. Matosky said because of precautions during the pandemic, the center is only now coming into full use as a gathering space for residents, former residents, and guests. Meanwhile, Abby's House is gearing up for a new $5+million renovation project this summer to expand and improve its shelter, doubling its capacity from nine to 18 beds. With the expansion, the organization will increase the supportive care it offers, helping to address the traumatic situations impacting the women and children it serves. In addition to housing and help with mental and physical health, Abby's House offers comprehensive services including meals, a food pantry, clothing, transportation, parenting support, emergency financial assistance, and referrals to other services in the community. Orzoco is grateful Abby's House is beginning to fully utilitze its pre-COVID renovations of 52 High St. in Worcester. INTERESTED IN A GREAT RATE THAT ADDS UP? KASASA® CASH CHECKING 4.00 % APY on balances up to $10,000 Scan QR code for details. Visit a St. Mary's Credit Union branch near you or click/call today. stmaryscu.org (508) 490-8000 to Abby's House's outgoing executive director, Stephanie Page, who is stepping down on June 30 aer serving in the role for nine years. "She has clearly taken Abby's to a whole new level," Orozco said. "So I come in sort of very humble and respectful of all the work she has done. It really puts me on a launching pad to be successful." As a city booster, Orzoco said she's excited about the revitalization happening in the city and aware of the importance of making sure vulnerable residents benefit from growing opportunities. Rising housing prices and instability caused by a lack of affordable housing can create huge barriers for people. "Every aspect of a person's experience – their health, their ability to thrive, their employment – all that is so impacted by stability of housing," she said. "It's like ground zero." "One of the most generous people" Orozco traces her lifelong mission of supporting her community to her childhood. Growing up with a single mother in a household that sometimes didn't have all the resources the family needed, she experienced the power of people coming together to support each other. She recalls one Christmas when her mother couldn't afford gis for her and her siblings. "Her coworkers le bags and bags of gis on our front porch," she said. "It was just this moment of 'Community matters, and connection matters.'" Alexis Freedberg, behavioral health medical director at ConcertoCare, who worked closely with Orozco during her time there, said she was impressed with both her practical leadership skills – like building slide decks and onboarding processes that were the envy of her coworkers – and her attitude. "As a human, she is one of the most generous people I know," Freedberg said. "She has this amazing ability to see the best in everybody she encounters, whether that's a patient, a team member, or another colleague. She has just an enormous heart, and enormous curiosity about everyone she encounters." While Orozco's work for years has been in leadership, she operates what she calls a very, very small private practice as a social worker, working with individuals and couples. "It's always been important for me. If I'm going to be in a role where I'm supervising people, I have to stay sharp," she said. Stephanie Page, Abby's House outgoing executive director Alexis Freedberg, behavioral health medical director at ConcertoCare W

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