COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) will kickoff a series of monthly Community Clinics on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Community partners from throughout the region will be available to assist individuals interested in learning more about community resources available to them.

Reducing the amount of time and personal resources that it takes for people to physically navigate and access services from point to point in the city has been a key goal of WCAC’s Resiliency Center since its inception. 

The idea for the community clinics originated with Worcester's Food Task Force which identified a gap between those eligible for assistance and those completing applications for SNAP - the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps. WCAC has subsequently added a SNAP Outreach Coordinator to its Resiliency Center team specifically to address this need.

"In order for people to be able to access benefits and services without having to travel all over the city, we are gathering providers together to assist people with application and navigation of services and benefits on site," explained Maydee Morales, WCAC's Resiliency Center Director.

Participating organizations for the May 6th clinic include: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central MA;  Central MA Agency on Aging offering resources for grandparents raising grandchildren; Worcester Family Resource Center; TUFTS; Quinsigamond Community College; Regional Environmental Council Mobile Market with fresh fruits and vegetables; National Grid for utility assistance; Walgreens offering COVID vaccines; Central West Justice Center; WIC; Center for Living & Working; the Department of Transitional Assistance; Boys & Girls Club of Worcester; RCAP Solutions, the WRTA, and the Office of New Americans at Friendly House. WCAC staff will also be onsite offering assistance with LIHEAP home heating help, financial empowerment programs and the agency's Job & Education Center.

In addition to the monthly Community Clinics, WCAC’s SNAP Outreach Coordinator will also host regularly scheduled outreach at food pantries and other organizations throughout the area to assist individuals specifically in completing SNAP applications as well as accessing other resources they may be eligible for. The outreach schedule for the month of April can be found HERE.

Any questions about the clinics or outreach schedule can be directed to SNAP@wcac.net .

COMMUNITY

BABY SHOWER

WCAC Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County program is presently recruiting area community organizations which provide services or programs to expectant moms for participation in our 17th Annual Community Baby Shower being planned for Wednesday, May 15th. The event offers new and expectant mothers access to countless community resources, a Baby Boutique offering free gently-worn baby and toddler apparel as well as raffles and prizes.

Community partners interested in participating in the baby shower can register HERE.

Although the Baby Shower is free to attend, guests are encouraged to pre-register HERE to be entered into a bonus gift card raffle.

DIAPER DUTY

WCAC is pleased to be among fifteen Community Action agencies and Diaper Banks in Massachusetts and Connecticut participating in the Diaper Distribution and Research Pilot being run by the Office of Community Services in the Administration for Children and Families. The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) is coordinating the initiative which will include the distribution of at least 3.5 million diapers and wipes through a hub and spoke model over a tw0-year period.

Six months into the project approximately 1.3 million diapers and 10,000 packs of wipes have been distributed to more than 1,600 families. Through the initiative, WCAC is providing 100 children with 100 diapers/pullups and two packets of wipes each month.

According to Joe Diamond, MASSCAP Executive Director, “This is truly a milestone. The country has never before seen the federal government step in to support under resourced families with diapers. As we know, in Massachusetts, the need is urgent with more than one third of families struggling to afford enough diapers. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are well-positioned to roll diaper distribution into current programming, such as food and early education programs for low-income families, and we are looking forward to ramping up this program to provide much needed support to already over-burdened clients.”

Forty percent of families being served thru the pilot also participate in SNAP food benefits, with 37% reporting an annual income under $15,000. It is estimated that infants require up to 12 diapers per day which can cost an estimated $70-$80 per month per baby. Diapers are not an allowable purchase with SNAP benefits.

WCAC's 3rd Annual Resiliency Awards will recognize people and organizations striving to make every day better for the lives of those in our community, and celebrate the wonderful legacy of heroes who have helped support WCAC’s work in moving individuals and families out of poverty and towards economic mobility.

Our 2024 honorees to include:



• 2024 Sargent Shriver Trailblazer Award - Gladys Rodriguez-Parker, Congressman James McGovern's Office
• Steven M. Desmarais Champion for Kids - Steven Desmarais (posthumously)
• Iggy Strong Award, Providing Youth Opportunities - Stacie Brimmage, Regional Environmental Council
• Energy Equity Champions - Ken Martinetty, Martinetty General Contracting; Justin Gervais, EJT Siding, Co.; Michael Welch, Universal Home Improvements
• Action Hero Award(s) - Dominique Lee, RCAP Solutions; United Way of Central MA; Easter Seals Massachusetts; Center for Living & Working; MA EdCO; Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central MA & Metrowest

Special thanks to our 2024 presenting sponsor National Grid. Additional supporting sponsors include Webster Five, Mutual of America, UMass Chan Medical, Cinch IT, Mass General Brigham, Country Bank, Polar Beverages, Fidelity Bank, Cornerstone Bank, Bowditch & Dewey, and LPA Architects.