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54 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2015 www.wbjournal.com Worcester Community Action Council Inc. Future Goals During our 50th year of service, WCAC remains committed to: • Providing alternative educational opportunities to help at-risk young adults prepare for and secure stable employ- ment and livable wages through HiSET and higher edu- cation assistance, pre-employment and work readiness programs, as well as financial literacy trainings; • Providing income-eligible households with home-heating assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency services; • Bolstering services to South County programs including Head Start, Healthy Families and HiSET/ESL; • Expanding strategic business partnerships to support employment opportunities for our clients; • Continuing to work with local, state and federal legislative officials to ensure stability in publicly funded programs. Fundraising Events/Opportunities In the spirit of the season and in honor of our 50th anniversary, WCAC, in partnership with The Hanover Theatre, will present the Wednesday, December 23rd 7 p.m. performance of A Christmas Carol. A portion of every ticket purchased for that evening will support WCAC. A special pre- show reception is also planned. Each May, WCAC hosts an Action Heroes Award event in conjunction with National Community Action Month to recognize the organizations, businesses and individuals for their monetary donations, in-kind goods and services and advocacy work to help the agency move individuals and families to economic self-sufficiency. Honorees for 2014 were National Grid, for its generosity in supporting the agency's fuel assistance no-heat emergency program and annual coat drive; and the law firm of Mirick O'Connell, for its long standing support of the youth enrolled in the agency's Job and Education Center, annual coat drive and heating assistance programs. WCAC looks forward to celebrating its 10th Annual Action Heroes Awards with a special heroes reunion in May 2016. Sponsorships are sought and appreciated! Volunteer Opportunities Giving Opportunities • The Annual Appeal, launched in November, seeks funding to 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 summer and year-round employment opportunities for young adults through our Job & Education Center (JEC). • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) serves more than 16,000 households annually throughout Central Massachusetts. Private donations support additional fuel assistance for income-limited individuals, right in your backyard, facing no-heat emergencies during cold winter months. • Donations of new winter coats, hats, and mittens distributed to more than 400 children enrolled in WCAC's Head Start, Early-Head Start and Healthy Families programs, and to children of young parents in JEC. • Donations of breakfast, lunch and snack options, gift cards and bus passes accepted for young adults enrolled in the JEC, many of whom face significant barriers to education and employment. • Head Start/Early Head Start and Healthy Families programs accept donations of school supplies, toys and books for infants through age 5. Board of Directors Steven G. Joseph Unum Chairman Jill C. Dagilis, Executive Director MISSION STATEMENT Service area: WCAC serves the City of Worcester and 45 surrounding communities in Central and Southern Massachusetts. Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy. Federal Funding ........... 75% Earned Revenue ........... 15% State/Local Government ................. 10% Top funding sources: Noreen Johnson-Smith, Family Health Center of Worcester, Vice Chair Joanne Gravell, Family Services of Central MA, Clerk Susan Mais, National Grid, Assistant Clerk Donald Xenos for District Attorney Joseph Early, Treasurer Michael Keegan, Assistant Treasurer Kathy Johnson for City Manager Edward Augustus Peter Martin, Esq. , Bowditch and Dewey Pedro Aponte, Head Start Policy Council Dale Allen, Quinsigamond Community College for Senator Michael Moore Steven Desmarais, Polar Beverages for Senator Harriette Chandler Tom Dubay , Imperial Distributors Barbara G. Haller for Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty Yary Jaen, Main South CDC Robert Jennings, Worcester Public Schools Gladys Rodriguez Parker for Congressman James McGovern Brian Westerlind, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank Worcester Community Action Council Inc. 484 Main Street, 2nd Floor Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-754-1176 www.WCAC.net Full-time employees: 120 Annual revenues: $21,508,923.46 Year founded: 1965 • Volunteers are always needed as tax preparers from January through April for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in which income-eligible Worcester residents have their income taxes prepared and filed at no cost. 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. Volunteer computer instructors are also needed to assist with resume preparation, online job searching and basic computer skills.