Worcester Business Journal

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N O N P R O F I T S P O W E R 1 0 0 Angela Bovill President & CEO Ascentria Care Alliance, in Worcester Employees: 2,057 Residence: Falmouth, Maine College: University of Southern Maine; Boston University Refugee services have always been at the heart of the mission of Ascentria, a nonprofit human services organization serving people in four New England states. But when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approached Ascentria in the summer about opening a shelter in Worcester for migrant families, Ascentria had to be nimble. ere was no funding in the budget for a shelter, and the risks were high, even though service to new immigrants is important to Ascentria. But working with finite resources amid workforce shortages as demand for services increases has become the norm throughout the human services sector, and Bovill is helping to chart the path forward. "e need outweighed our internal challenges, and we responded," Bovill said. Today, Ascentria's program is among the best in the state. Bovill manages revenue of $126 million, according to an Internal Revenue Service filing, to run programs reaching new immigrants as well as many others serving children in foster care, the elderly, and people with developmental disabilities to offer housing support, family services, jobs support, and more. With assets of $187 million, it's the second-largest human services provider in Central Massachusetts, with a history of serving the needy since 1872. While responding to a refugee crisis challenged the organization immensely, progress on other goals continues. Bovill led the launch of a workforce support program for Ascentria employees, called PeopleFirst Pathways. e program seeks to mitigate challenges facing its workforce, such as childcare and transportation, through employee coaching and wraparound services. e program comes as human services organizations throughout Massachusetts face a critical labor shortage while migrants and refugees seek employment but face barriers. – E.M. Julie Bowditch Executive director CASA Project Worcester County Employees: 15 Residence: Worcester College: Worcester State University An average of 2,000 children live in foster care across Worcester County on any given day, and Bowditch leverages connections to help those kids on their path to permanent homes as executive director of CASA Project. e largest of seven CASA programs across the state, the organization recruits and trains more than 200 volunteers to advocate for foster kids in the court system. Last year, 338 children were helped by the organization. e nonprofit had revenue of $1.1 million in 2022, according to its Internal Revenue Service filing, although since Bowditch took over leadership of the organization, state funding increased 30% last year with help from local lawmakers. Fundraising, in addition to state money, is vital to the CASA Project. Bowditch's knack for networking pays off there. Before joining CASA in 2022, Bowditch was deeply ingrained in the Worcester community as a volunteer on several boards and projects – including as a CASA board member. "Building, leveraging, and maintaining relationships has limitless potential," Bowditch said. at community support was evident in September when CASA's Champions for Children raised a record $110,000 for the organization, a large influx of funding for a nonprofit from a single event. Her prowess for fundraising and community engagement extends beyond CASA. Bowditch is a member of the steering community for the largest fundraiser in Central Massachusetts, the UMass Memorial Hope and Healing Celebration, which typically raises $2+ million. In December, she helped launch the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester's Festival of Trees event. Bowditch serves on the board for Women in Development of Central Massachusetts, a corporator and grant reviewer for Greater Worcester Community Foundation; and co-chairs the development committee for Habitat for Humanity Metrowest/Greater Worcester. – E.M.

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