August 2020
Worcester Together Passes $10M Mark in Historic Community Effort 

Worcester Together recently celebrated a historic milestone with gifts passing $10 million. The primary beneficiaries – over 140 nonprofits in our community – received $8.6 million to support their pandemic response and recovery programs.

GWCF is deeply grateful to the more than 600 individual donors, foundations, businesses and organizations that helped to grow this Fund, including the statewide Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund which provided more than $3.8 million. 

Learn more:

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Worcester Business Journal

This Week in Worcester
Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester Brings Hot Meals to COVID-Positive Families

Access to healthy food is one of the most significant challenges of the global pandemic. For COVID-19 patients and people who are quarantined, shut-in or simply cannot get to the store, the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester is there for them. 
 
Working with local organizations and restaurants, the Coalition delivers healthy, pre-prepared home cooked meals to families each day, thanks to Worcester Together funding. 
 
The Coalition is a unique partnership of the Worcester Community Action Council, Main South Community Development Corporation and the Main South Business Association.

They have delivered over 970 meals to families, since mid-May. Congressman Jim McGovern (above), who cares deeply about food insecurity in the region, lent a hand to bring healthy meals to some of our neighbors. 

Fairlawn Foundation Fund Awards Over $238,000 for Mental Health Initiatives 

Throughout the pandemic, the Fairlawn Foundation Fund has remained committed to addressing the mental health needs in our community. The Fund recently announced support for the following four institutions whose programs include providing behavioral healthcare to youth and families and supporting the development of our region’s mental health professionals.

  • Anna Maria College
  • Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
  • Open Sky Community Services
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
Latino Education Institute Stays Connected with Relief Funds 

The Latino Education Institute (LEI) has used a Worcester Together grant to create a digital alternative to their traditional, in-person education and mentoring programs for the first time. Combining Zoom and phone calls, LEI is staying connected with nearly 800 students (grades K-16) during the pandemic.

 “The Worcester Together grant allowed us to offer professional development so that our team could serve and support our students and their families,” said Hilda Ramirez, Executive Director of LEI, a program at Worcester State University.

During one virtual event, a panel of Latinx UMass Medical school students opened up to LEI students about why their profession is so important right now. The future doctors also addressed how students can keep their education on track and prepare for the future.

According to Ramirez, the Worcester Together grant has been “a bridge to the future,” helping LEI improve their virtual programming, and plan for a return to safe, in-person learning opportunities.
Want to Learn More About Our Community Grants?

The Community Grant program is open through September 14. If your organization plans to apply, join us for a virtual info session where you can ask specific questions and learn more about this grant cycle. Info sessions are:

Wednesday, August 12 – 1:00-2:00 PM
Tuesday, August 25 – 6:00-7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 2 – 9:00-10:00 AM
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