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Media Advisory
EMBARGOED UNTIL 5 P.M. - August 31, 2017 Contact:
Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Development 508 762-9807
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Polito, McGovern announce $1.1M in early ed funds for WCAC
Resources to support Head Start classrooms move to Webster
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Webster, Massachusetts - Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. today welcomed Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Congressman James P. McGovern and other state and local officials for the announcement of public resources totaling $1.1 million dollars to support its renovation of the former Webster senior center located at 116 School Street in order to relocate four of the agency's Head Start classrooms to Webster.
Lieutenant Governor Polito announced that WCAC has been awarded $600,000 from the Baker-Polito Administration's 2017 Early Education and Care Out-of-School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund. WCAC was one of five agencies across the state that was selected to receive funding.
Congressman McGovern shared that $500,000 in one-time capital funds have been committed to the project through the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
"The facility improvements funded through the EEOST capital improvements grants are modernizing spaces and providing a better environment for the children to grow and learn," Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. "We are proud today's grants will improve the early education experience for families in North Adams, New Bedford, Belchertown, Roxbury, and Webster."
"We are thrilled to be receiving these important resources which will allow us to bring critical Head Start services back to a community where they are needed," said WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagilis. "Today represents the culmination of several years of hard work to identify a site that addresses the needs of Webster's working families and their children. WCAC is indebted to the many generous funders, public officials and other partners for helping to make this project possible."
In February 2015, WCAC was forced to evacuate its former Oxford, MA site due to a roof compromised by extreme winter weather. In the time since, the 87 children displaced by the loss of that site were absorbed into three additional classrooms created at the agency's Southbridge site. WCAC has bussed the children, primarily from Webster, to Southbridge at great cost to the organization and great inconvenience to the families and children served.
"The town of Webster and the Head Start program have been working hard to make our community a great place for our kids to learn. I am thrilled this project will continue to help that progress," said Senator Ryan Fattman.
"Every once in awhile an opportunity presents itself to bring individuals, nonprofits, government entities, and private businesses together to pursue a common interest and benefit the community, " said Representative Joseph McKenna. "This was one such opportunity and I am proud to have played a small role. I am truly grateful for those who have generously contributed to this project, and to the State for the generous grant that Worcester Community Action Council has received; and I eagerly look forward to the day in the near future when this center educates the children of our community."
In addition to the public funds announced today, WCAC is working with MassDevelopment and undertaking a private fundraising campaign to raise the balance needed to support the estimated $1.7 million dollar project. To date the private fundraising campaign has secured: $200,000 - Donna & Randy Becker; $25,000 - Webster Five Foundation; and $12,500 - Janet Malser Humanities Trust.
The Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund provide grants to child care programs for facility developments and improvements throughout the Commonwealth. The goal of the EEOST Capital Fund grant program is to support positive outcomes for children by providing high quality child care environments and settings that support their learning and development. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) partners with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), and its affiliate, the children's Investment Fund (CIF) to administer the EEOST Capital Fund program.
In addition to WCAC, the 2017 EEOST grantees include: Child Care of the Berkshires, North Adams ($1M); Belchertown Day School, Inc., Belchertown ($1M); YWCA of Southeastern MA, New Bedford ($800K); and ABCD, Inc., Roxbury ($734K).
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About WCAC
For more than fifty years, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.
WCAC's Head Start program serves families from the communities of East Brookfield, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Spencer, Southbridge and Webster.
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