Community Action News
SEPTEMBER 2022
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ON THE MOVE
I've learned many lessons during my three-year tenure as the Executive Director of WCAC, but one in particular is to always expect the unexpected. Six months into my tenure at WCAC, the COVID pandemic hit resulting in not only a dramatic uptick in need for WCAC's services, but the need for a dramatic shift in the way the agency delivers our services. Some eighteen months later, just as we began planning for a return to in-person services, our office headquarters suffered a catastrophic power failure. We were forced to rework and readjust our means of serving the community once again.
I’m beyond proud of the way our team has rallied together maintaining our commitment to support our communities. I’m beyond grateful to our many community partners who stepped in with offers of office space and technology assistance to ensure our continuity of service, especially Fallon Health and the facilities team there who have been welcoming and gracious by offering use of their space as a temporary solution while we finalize construction of our new office. In the coming months, we'll at long last be moving into new office space at 18 Chestnut Street. Our move-in day cannot come soon enough, and we are planning to announce our official move date in the coming weeks. While we can't be certain what the future holds, we approach the last quarter of the year optimistic, hopeful and ready to respond to our community, and always steadfast in our mission to break the cycle of poverty one neighbor at a time.
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Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director
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SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS
Community support for WCAC's programs and services is critical in allowing us to best respond to the community's ever changing needs.
We are now able to accept online donations via
Venmo, Apple Pay or PayPal...
cash and checks still always accepted too.
With so many ways to support WCAC's work, can we count on you?
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DEPARTING THE DENHOLM
As has been reported in recent local news reports, the Denholm Building, 484 Main Street, Worcester, which houses WCAC's main office, has been purchased by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority with the intention of issuing a Request for Proposals to spur the redevelopment of the property. As such, WCAC will be relocating to a new office at 18 Chestnut Street, Worcester in the late Fall 2022.
Until that time, the agency's main office on the 2nd floor of the Denholm Building remains open. Lobby hours are 9 am. - 4 p.m. weekdays. There is a drop-off box for fuel assistance applications as well as a self-serve copier. Please check WCAC's website and social media channels for relocation updates as details become finalized.
"The Denholm Building has served us well, but we look forward to welcoming clients into our new home soon," said WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell. "The new space will be very client focused, with improved parking access and an atmosphere that will be more conducive to our staff to best meet our community's needs. We appreciate the public's patience as we transition to the new space and look forward to serving our greater community for many years in our new location!"
WCAC's home since 1994, the Denholm Building holds a storied place in the City's history. It was once home to the largest store of its kind outside of Boston or Providence. For decades throughout the early to later-middle 1900's, Denholm's Department Store was the place to shop for clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products and housewares. The building even boasts the city's very first escalator - installed in 1963. By the early 1970's the store declined and eventually filed for bankruptcy. The building was then converted into an office complex.
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COMING SOON TO A COMMUNITY NEAR YOU
Ensuring access to WCAC's programs and services has long been a priority for the agency. The ability to bring programs to clients and 'meet people where they are' just got a lot easier with the addition of a new Community Outreach Van to the agency's fleet.
Bolstered by a state grant to support community outreach, WCAC has purchased a vehicle that will serve as a mobile office of sorts, allowing many of the agency's programs to meet with clients and conduct services throughout the 45 communities we serve. The vehicle will be equipped with a generator in order to operate laptops, printers, and scanners to maximize access to services.
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Hosting a community event or have another opportunity for WCAC to share information about our programs & services?
Let us know at INFO@WCAC.NET
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GEARING UP FOR BUSY FUEL SEASON
With rising home energy costs and concerns about fuel shortages looming, WCAC is gearing up for a busy fuel season. WCAC’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), best known as fuel assistance or home heating assistance, helps homeowners and renters pay home heating bills and past due balances on utility bills. Financial assistance is available for income-eligible households to help pay home heating bills between November 1 – April 30 of each year. Eligibility for assistance is based on a household's income. Please refer to chart above to determine your eligibility.
Applications for renewal for returning clients have been going out via U.S. mail over the past month. Additionally, WCAC staff will be conducting in-person outreach at select locations over the next several weeks. If you have not received your renewal application by the end of September, please email LIHEAP@wcac.net
Online application for new clients will open on November 1st. In-person appointments for new clients will also open in November.
The following communities are served by WCAC's home heating assistance program: Worcester, Auburn, Brookfield, Boylston, Charlton, Charlton City, Charlton Depot, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Holden, Jefferson, Leicester, Cherry Valley, Rochdale, Millbury, North Brookfield, Oakham, Oxford, North Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Fiskdale, Sutton, Manchaug, Warren, West Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield.
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www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net
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