MAY - JUNE 2026

Shaping the future together!

Message from the Executive Director

2026 has been an exciting strategic planning year for LEI!

Thanks to an operating grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, LEI partnered with an external consultant to guide this important process alongside a Strategic Planning Committee made up of internal and external stakeholders.

As of May 2026, LEI has developed a new vision, a renewed mission, and clear organizational values that will help guide our work for FY27 and beyond.

Over the next two months, LEI’s strategic planning efforts will focus on emerging strategic priority areas with their goals, objectives, and specific strategies using a theory of change framework to guide measurable outcomes and long-term impact.

We look forward to sharing the final Strategic Plan for the coming years in our next newsletter and FY26 Annual Report, which will feature new data and outcomes from our programs.


Maria A. Juncos-Gautier

LEI Executive Director

Important community leaders visit 
and support LEI!

Left to right, row by row: State Senator Michael Moore, State Representative John J. Mahoney, School Committee member Sue Mailman, and from the Worcester Housing Authority the CEO Alex Corrales and the Chief Resident Program Officer Edlin Ortiz.

Over the past few months, LEI has had the honor of welcoming several distinguished guests and valued supporters, including State Senator Michael Moore, Representative John J. Mahoney, School Committee member Sue Mailman, and from the Worcester Housing Authority, CEO Alex Corrales and Chief Resident Program Officer Edlin Ortiz.

Along with Senator Robyn Kennedy, featured in our February newsletter, these leaders continue to champion LEI’s mission of expanding educational opportunities for children and families in our community.

We are grateful for their ongoing advocacy, partnership, and support!

Shout out to LEI’s Kathy Orengo

LEI is very proud to honor Kathleen (Kathy) Orengo on her milestone achievement of 25 years of service to Worcester State University (WSU). Her dedication, advocacy, commitment, and tireless service to LEI’s after-school programs are second to none.

We are so proud of you, Kathy--kudos, bravo, and way to go on a job very well done. Happy 25th! In Kathy’s own words, “This journey has never been one I’ve walked alone. It has been shaped by young people discovering their potential, college students growing into leaders, and the incredible people and community partners who bring so much heart and dedication to this work."

Kathy also received this year’s WSU 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Award. Congratulations!

Celebrating Alexandra’s graduation and new role at LEI!

We are so proud of you and so excited to have you on our full-time team, Alexandra!

Double congratulations to Alexandra Pizarro on graduating from WSU with a Master of Education in School Psychology and earning her Ed.S. in School Psychology! Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, also from WSU.

We are also thrilled to welcome Alexandra as the LEI’s new full-time Associate Director of Youth Programs and Outreach Initiatives!

Over the past 8 years, she has been an incredible part-time member of the LEI team, supporting our high school after-school programs, strengthening pathways to college, and inspiring leadership and civic engagement in our youth.

Student voices in action: research, reflection, and celebration

As the ISLA, LASOS, and ENLACE programs near the end of the year, students are completing their civic engagement and photovoice/digital storytelling. To celebrate a successful year of learning and growth, students will also participate in upcoming field trips and enrichment activities, recognizing their hard work and accomplishments.

Student voices shine at the LIDER+ Youth Summit

The LIDER+ Youth Summit, held on May 9 at WSU, was a tremendous success. Students proudly presented their research projects to more than 120 family and community members, addressing important topics such as social media perceptions, immigration policy, problem gambling prevention, and the impact of childhood trauma on youth.

We were also honored to welcome special guest Etel Haxhiaj, longtime advocate for racial justice and former Worcester City Councilor. We are incredibly proud of our students’ passion, leadership, and commitment to creating positive change in their communities.  

A student voice: “The topic I'm focusing on is TikTok-related mental health. I've noticed that in youth, self-esteem declines as they compare themselves to unrealistic expectations and social standards. They often find themselves comparing themselves to other people and end up hurting themselves mentally and physically to achieve the ideal figure often presented on social media.” ~Jesus

We are deeply grateful to the Barr Foundation for their continued support of our LIDER+ program, which will allow us to strengthen and expand its impact over the next two years!  

Winter-spring 2026 at Club E: language, leadership, and growth

Club E launched its Spring 2026 cycle on March 17, welcoming more than 125 adult learners to participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes through mid-June.

This semester, students have improved their skills across all areas of language learning as they prepared for the annual Club E Open for Business Fair. At this fair on May 7, participants showcased their businesses and entrepreneurial efforts. The fair also provided students opportunities to connect with local employers and community resources.

In partnership with UniBank, students also attended workshops on topics including banking, personal credit, and first-time home buying, along with an immigrant rights workshop led by longtime community partner Alex Mooradian.

Club E WPS ESL Program

After a record-breaking New England winter, WPS/LEI Club E teachers and students welcomed spring with renewed energy and enthusiasm for learning English. Teachers have continued delivering strong ESL instruction throughout the semester to help students meet their academic goals. 

Unit test scores indicate that students have been making steady progress toward their personal language acquisition goals. Classrooms remain positive, welcoming spaces filled with conversation, collaboration, and laughter as students build confidence speaking English with less hesitation.

Navigating the school journey together! 

Families learning together! This winter, 21 adults and 17 children participated in the Family Engagement workshop, Navegando el Camino Escolar Juntos (Navigating the School Journey Together). Parents shared meaningful ideas and collaboration, helping create a positive and engaging learning environment.

LEI is grateful for the commitment of participating families and for its strong partnership with Worcester Public Schools. Together, we are stronger.

Under our Community Health Education Program, our Health Promoters recently led several engaging community events focused on health education, leadership, and cultural connection. They hosted a career workshop for the LASOS girls with Clark University pre-health students, facilitated an interactive health equity workshop for the ENLACE boys, and partnered with the Latinos Unidos Club at North High School to host a salsa-making night.

Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, participants explored health careers, cultural traditions, family heritage, and the importance of community connection.

Save the date!

Saturday, August 8 - Back-to School event with Worcester Public Schools.

For more information contact:

Carmen Rosado, LEI's Family and Community Engagement liaison at crosado@worcester.edu

We appreciate the commitment of our funders, whose generous support makes it possible for us to carry out our mission!

City of Worcester * Balfour Foundation * Barr Foundation * Greater Worcester Community Foundation * Hanover Insurance Group Foundation * Massachussetss Department of Public Health * Ruth H. & Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation * UMASS Memorial Health * UniBank * United Way of Central Massachusetts * Women’s Initiative of the United Way of Central Massachusetts * Worcester Public Schools (WPS)

Let's rise together in support of the students we serve!

We are committed to continually enhancing our services for the Worcester community. To achieve this, we rely on your ongoing sponsorship, collaboration, and dedication to help us thrive.

The LEI Team