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Teamwork makes the dream work
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"What can change the world today is the same thing that has changed it in the past - an idea and the service of dedicated, committed individuals to that idea." Sargent Shriver
How fortunate Worcester Community Action Council is to have such a dedicated team of employees and a dynamic Board of Directors, all committed to helping individuals and families move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Despite continued divisive partisanship and uncertainty at the federal level, be assured that WCAC intends to remain open to serve those in need. We are working closely with our community action network colleagues and elected officials, and remain determined to continue to build a stronger community for us all.
While we are committed to keeping our doors open, any level of shutdown decreases support to our core programs resulting in reduced services for all. That is a price that we as a community should not be willing to pay. While the decisions in Washington are beyond our control, we have a choice. We can sit and watch the damage caused by division, or we can we step up together for our communities. We are choosing to step up, and we are asking that you help us do so.
A donation of any amount will minimize the interruption of our programs and services. Donate Now. A phone call or written letter to your elected officials about the importance of community action agencies will strengthen our collective voice. Please Use your voice. Join us - Be Community Action!
Jill C. Dagilis
Executive Director
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Save the Date!
12th Annual
WCAC Action Hero Awards
Thursday, May 17, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Mechanics Hall,
Worcester
We are thrilled to welcome
The Honorable Harriette Chandler, Senate President,
as our keynote speaker!
Join us to find out who will claim WCAC's coveted Green Cape!
now available.
Ticket info coming soon.
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A tip of the hat...
On behalf of the Board of Directors and WCAC Staff, we offer a very special thanks to Steve Joseph, our out-going board chair. As a result of Steve's leadership, WCAC is strong, stable and responsive. The Board is diverse and active and we have maximized limited resources at every turn. We are grateful for your tireless efforts!
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Making a difference in the lives of those we serve
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"You know dear people, every day I go to the basement to look at the furnace,it is so beautiful, I really do not know how to thank you. I wish my husband could see it. I just came from downstairs. I did not know I was crying - it just came automatically. I pray a lot, believe me the people that help me are in my prayers forever. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart." -
87 year old Webster resident
"Thank you most sincerely for all your efforts in obtaining assistance for me in paying my gas bill. It was especially helpful having received the funds during the months of the highest bills. I am aware that your work is not easy, and for that I am most appreciative. God bless you all!" -
Louise from Auburn
"I want to take this time to thank you so much for installing a new furnace for me, and also a new tank for fuel. There would be no way for me to afford a new furnace, you came to my rescue. Also, for allotting me so much for my fuel assistance. You are a big blessing to me. Again I thank you!" -
Connie from Sturbridge
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Be a Head Start Hero!
Help Turn Up the Heat for those struggling with home heating bills!
Make a difference in the life a young person today!
Support WCAC programs with a tax-deductible donation!
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Support WCAC when you shop!
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Worcester Community Action Council, Inc whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
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| Committed to community impact since 1965 |
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WCAC: Community Impact
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Did you know that WCAC is one of 23 Community Action agencies across the state? Did you know that t
he Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. was established in 1965 as the locally designated "community action" agency in response to the federal Economic Opportunity Act? Today, WCAC serves as an umbrella agency offering a variety of education, employment, energy and asset development programs. We are proud to share our new Community Impact video (click imgage above) which helps to highlight the story of the important work we do as told by some of our amazing employees and clients. #BeCommunityAction
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| A look back at WCAC's accomplishments |
 Coming soon to a mailbox near you... WCAC's FY17 Annual Report! And what a year it was!
A few highlights:
- 1,971 first-time applicants were among the 14,048 fuel assistance applications WCAC processed, generating $8,476,341 dollars in benefits distributed via 73 local vendors and utilities
- 826 households were provided weatherization, insulation, heating system repair/replacement services totaling over $2.4 million dollars in local investment
- 279 youth received 8 weeks of subsidized employment at 56 work sites through the YouthWorks Summer Jobs program
- 30 volunteers donated 1,066 hours to prepare income tax returns at no cost to 793 low-income households, generating $1.3 million dollars in returns
- WCAC secured $1.2 million dollars in state and federal funds to support the renovation of a Webster building in order to relocate four of the agency's Head Start classrooms to the site.
- 2,798 home visits were conducted by WCAC's Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County program, promoting positive parenting choices and prevention of child abuse and neglect to 94 first-time parents
- 235 preschoolers from 219 families were served in WCAC's Head Start program, allowing 139 parents to hold employment and another 89 who were able to pursue school or job training.
Click on the image above to review the full report. Special thanks to our good friends at PENTA Communications for sharing their talents and generosity through in-kind services in designing the report for WCAC.
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Program offers help for those struggling to keep warm
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With several more weeks left before the calendar officially says spring, and likely many more weeks after that before Mother Nature concurs, WCAC's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
is busy processing fuel assistance applications for households struggling to keep their homes warm. Eligibility is based on the number of individuals who live in the household, their combined income, housing status and fuel type. For 2018 a household of four can be making as much at $66,000 and be eligible for assistance.
With record cold temps and several storms, many households have already nearly exhausted their federal benefits. Fortunately WCAC is supported by many generous partners who have contributed to an emergency fuel fund for that reason. In the past two months WCAC has received $155,000 from National Grid through the United Way of Central Massachusetts, $40,000 from Cornerstone Bank and $20,000 from UniBank to support the most vulnerable households facing no heat and other extreme emergencies. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you or someone you know is struggling to keep warm, please reach out to WCAC.
All first time applications must complete a face-to-face interview between November 1st and April 30th.
New applications can be submitted at WCAC's Worcester Office located in the Denholm Building, 484 Main Street, Worcester on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
New applications are also accepted by appointment at outreach sites in Southbridge, Webster, Spencer and West Warren. Visit the agency website for further details.
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VITA offers free tax prep for eligible households
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The official kick off for the 2018 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program took place at the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center in conjunction with National EITC Awareness Day. See photo album here.
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It's hard to believe it's that time of year again, already. Tax Day (April 17th this year) is just around the corner! WCAC is proud to be a lead participant in the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition as one of four Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in the City of Worcester - providing free tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income households.
The program utilizes IRS-trained volunteers to prepare tax returns for households earning less than $54,000. Volunteers are trained to prepare taxes and specifically look for tax credits the household may be eligible for, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC) and other credits. Some households with children are eligible for tax refunds over $6,000. Utilizing the free tax preparation services allows families to retain their full refund, and avoid typical preparation fees which often costs hundreds of dollars.
Appointments are available at WCAC, 484 Main Street, Worcester, Monday - Wednesday, 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Call 508-754-1176 x234 to schedule your appointment today!
Appointments are also available at the Main South Community Development Corporation, 875 Main Street, Worcester; Plumley Village, 16 Laurel Street, Worcester; and Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester. Additional details about appointment hours and what to bring with you to a VITA appointment is available online.
For the first time, thanks to a grant from the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge, & Charlton and additional support from the MA Bankers Association, WCAC will be offering VITA services to families enrolled in the agency's Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County, Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Southbridge. We are most grateful for the opportunity to expand access to this important financial literacy tool and are most appreciative of the many employees of Cornerstone Bank who stepped up to volunteer.
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Mentors needed for YouthWorks Summer Jobs
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 Think back to your very first job. The first time someone took a chance on you and offered the opportunity to earn your first paycheck and learn new skills. The YouthWorks Summer Jobs program aims to do just that for low-income, at-risk youth ages 14-21.
Each summer, youth are provided with 18 hours of pre-employment training, along with 6-7 weeks of meaningful, paid work experience, and daily supervision and support.
WCAC is responsible for all phases of the YouthWorks program; job development and placement, recruitment and eligibility, professionally developed pre-employment training, site monitoring and safety adherence, distribution of weekly paychecks, and constant communication with youth employees and their employers.
While never at a loss for eligible youth interested in participating, WCAC is always in need of those willing to support the YouthWorks program either through financial support to provide subsidized employment opportunities and/or in providing job opportunities in a diverse array of industries. A donation of just $2,500 will support a youth with work readiness training and subsidized summer employment.
WCAC works hard with state and local representatives to secure and maximize additional youth employment funds, as well as with many of our public and private sector employers to increase job availability for our youth. If you are interested in paying it forward to help an at-risk youth this summer, please contact Carrick O'Brien, Director of WCAC's Job & Education Center.
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