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52 Giving Guide 2017 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. Future Goals WCAC remains committed to… • Providing alternative educational opportunities to help at-risk young adults prepare for and secure stable employment and livable wages through HiSET and higher education assistance, pre- employment and work readiness programs and financial literacy trainings. • Providing income-eligible households with home-heating assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency services. • Bolstering services to southern Worcester County through programs, including Head Start, Healthy Families, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 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 the stability of publicly-funded programs. Fundraising Events/Opportunities In what has quickly become a new family tradition, WCAC will once again be collaborating with The Hanover Theatre for a special performance of A Christmas Carol on December 20, 2017 with a portion of proceeds purchased to support WCAC. A special pre-show reception is also planned. Don't be a Scrooge – join us! Each May, in conjunction with National Community Action Month, WCAC hosts its annual Action Hero Celebration. Join us at our 12th Annual Action Hero Awards to find out which organizations, businesses and individuals we'll be honoring this year and to discover who will receive the coveted WCAC Green Action Hero Cape! Volunteer Opportunities • 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 résumé preparation, online job searching and basic computer skills. Giving Opportunities • An Annual Appeal launched in November, and a new Spring Appeal launched in May, seek 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 and mentoring, as well as summer and year-round employment opportunities for young adults, through our Job & Education Center's new Job1 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 the Job & Education Center. • Donations of breakfast, lunch and snack options, gift cards and bus passes accepted for young adults enrolled in the JEC, many of whom experience food insecurity and 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. Steven G. Joseph, Chairman Jill C. Dagilis, Executive Director MISSION STATEMENT Noreen Johnson Smith, Vice Chair, Family Health Center of Worcester Donald Xenos, Clerk, For District Attorney Joseph Early Leslie Baker, Assistant Clerk, Webster Adult Basic Education Brian Westerlind, Treasurer, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank Michael Keegan, Assistant Treasurer Pedro Aponte, Head Start Policy Council Dale Allen Marybeth Campbell, Skillworks, For Senator Michael Moore Eric Batista, for City Manager Ed Augustus Steven Desmarais, Polar Beverages, for Senator Harriette Chandler Tom Dubay, Imperial Distributors Eve Gilmore, Edward Street Child Services Olta Kodra, Community Representative Donna Lombardi, Worcester Public Schools Alejandro Mango, National Grid Peter Martin, Esq., Bowditch and Dewey Radames Pagan, Plumley Village Gladys Rodriguez Parker, for Congressman James McGovern Karen Rucks, Quinsigamond Community College, for Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty Board of Directors 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 ................. 72% State/Local Government ......................... 9 % Other/Earned Revenue ........19% Top funding sources: Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. 484 Main Street, Suite 200 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