Worcester Business Journal

62 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2016 www.wbjournal.com Worcester Community Action Council Inc. Future Goals Having embarked on our second half-century of service to Central Massachusetts, 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 WCAC will once again be collaborating with The Hanover Theatre, to present the Wednesday, December 21st 7 p.m. performance of A Christmas Carol. A portion of tickets purchased for that evening will support WCAC. A special pre-show reception is also planned. Each May, in conjunction with National Community Action Month, WCAC hosts its Annual Action Hero Celebration 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. WCAC looks forward to celebrating its 11th Annual Action Heroes Awards May 2017. 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 professional workshops, mentoring as well as summer and year-round employment opportunities for young adults through our Job & Education Center's (JEC) new Job One youth workforce initiative. • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), better known as fuel assistance, serves more than 14,000 households annually throughout Central Massachusetts. Private donations provide additional fuel assistance for income eligible households right in your backyard, facing no-heat emergencies during cold winter months. • Donations of new winter coats, hats, and mittens distributed to more than 300 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 and books for infants through age 5. Healthy Families also accepts new or gently worn infant and toddler clothing for its Baby Boutique. 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. To help people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy. Federal Funding ........... 72% Other/Earned Revenue .. 13% State/Local Government ................... 9% Top funding sources: Steven G. Joseph, Chair Unum Noreen Johnson-Smith, Vice Chair Family Health Center of Worcester Joanne Gravell, Clerk Family Services of Central MA Susan Mais, Assistant Clerk National Grid Donald Xenos, Treasurer for District Attorney Joseph Early Michael Keegan, Assistant Treasurer Gosling-Castle Partners, Inc. 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 Robert Jennings Worcester Public Schools Gladys Rodriguez Parker for Congressman James McGovern Brian Westerlind Webster Five Cents Savings Bank Leslie Baker Webster Adult Basic Education Eric Batista for City Manager Ed Augustus Kathryn Crockett Lamoureux Pagano Architects Radames Pagan Plumley Village Worcester Community Action Council Inc. 484 Main Street, 2nd Floor Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-754-1176 www.WCAC.net Full-time employees: 85 full time, 30 part time Annual revenues: $21 million 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.

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