WCAC recently welcomed Jenna Wills as the Inititative Director for the Working Cities Worcester (WCW) Challenge. In this position she will establish the managerial infrastructure and other essential operations for the project's implementation.

Funded by a three-year grant from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, WCW will convene and inspire workers, employers, government, universities, nonprofits, and communities to create equitable short- and long-term  employment opportunities  in the local food service economy to uplift individuals and communities from poverty, with livable wages. The initiative will provide workforce training and career paths for disadvantaged workers in cooperation with local employers. It will increase career opportunities and operational support for ethnic food vendors and retailers in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and create a learning community to ensure workforce development is a strategic priority in the local food service economy as well as a key item on the economic policy agenda for the City of Worcester.

A proud New Jersey native, Jenna attended Clark University earning a BA in Geography and a MA in Community Development and Planning. She has worked for various Worcester organizations for the past five years, including roles at both the Worcester County Food Bank and City of Worcester. Her passion for food systems and food justice, as well as an extraordinary love of Worcester, will no doubt continue to inspire her in her new role.  "I am a big advocate for creative economic solutions that benefit the greater Worcester community, and I think the Working Cities Worcester Initiative can do just that," she said. "I am excited to organize this effort and truly believe in the diverse group of stakeholders involved and their vision for Worcester and its residents."  

WCAC's partners on the WCW initiative include Clark University, the Regional Environmental Council, Sodexo, Chartwells, the City of Worcester, Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, Quinsigamond Community College and the Latino Education Institute of Worcester State University. Learn more about the WCW initiative here.

February 2017 marks a milestone for WCAC's Head Start program - 25 years! In that time more than 4,000 children have participated in the program which provides both a safe, nurturing learning environment, and  developmentally appropriate curricula, health and nutrition services, breakfast, lunch and snack, special education opportunities, as well as family services. While the program has undergone some changes during the last quarter century, one constant has been Evelyn Velez. Now Co-Director of the program, Velez began her career with WCAC as a Head Start Family Advocate after coming to the United States from Puerto Rico 25 years ago.

The most challenging part of her job? Velez says it's trying to meet so many regulations and standards from the programs many different funding sources. She's quick to point out, however, the rewarding parts of the job - the many children and families impacted throughout the years, who have become positive role models in the community and are now self-sufficient. As for a favorite memory, Velez says there's too many to pick from but cites examples where she was able to help a single-mom facing jail time turn her life around, finish her GED and become a working professional; a single dad who secured custody of his three children and didn't know what to do; another single mom who regularly calls to say thank you for her support in furthering her education, who now works as a case manager for another program in town and regularly collaborates with Head Start to help other families in need; a young man working at Big Bunny Grocery Store who expressed his appreciation for the support he and his mom received from the program, noting that because of Head Start he was heading to college in the fall.

As for the next 25 years? "I hope that WCAC Head Start and Early Head Start programs are even stronger in the communities we serve and will be recognized as the best quality early childhood program - one that every parent wants to send their children regardless of their income."

As part of a year -long celebration of its 25th anniversary, WCAC's Head Start will be hosting Puppets, Fairies and Dragons - Oh, My! a series of cultural enrichment performances supported by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

	SSB Bank President & CEO Todd Tallman, WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagilis, WCAC Chief Strategy Office Charla Hixson and SSB Vice President, Commercial Lending & Services Officer Ronald Cooper

Special thanks to our good friends at  South-bridge Savings Bank  who generously donated $36,000 to support the agency's Emergency Fuel Fund! This generous donation will support emergency fuel deliveries to nearly 175 households throughout the eight communities within the bank's service area. Pictured here are bank President & CEO Todd Tallman, WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagilis, WCAC Chief Strategy Office Charla Hixson and SSB Vice President, Commercial Lending & Services Officer Ronald Cooper. Last year, WCAC oversaw 1,288 emergency fuel deliveries to households facing no-heat emergencies, while providing 12,213 households with fuel assistance that totaled $8,196,281.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), commonly known as fuel assistance, opened for the 2016-17 winter season on November 1st and will continue to take applications for those struggling with home heating bills through the end of April. Specific information about income eligibility and paperwork required to apply can be found here.

Beyond keeping vulnerable households warm throughout the coldest months,  WCAC is committed to year-round weatherization programs, designed to help low-income homeowners and renters improve the energy efficiency of their homes, thereby maximizing the effect of  fuel assistance  funds.  WCAC currently has contracts with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the major local utility companies to install energy conservation measures in low-income homes throughout Central and Southern Worcester County.  If you are a f uel assistance  client, or are otherwise eligible for discounted utility rates, you may qualify for this program.

Each home receives an in-depth inspection by a certified energy auditor to assess conservation needs and the safety and efficiency of the primary heating system. Last year, through WCAC's Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Program (HEARTWAP), 979 households received a heating system repair, replacement or maintenance, while 586 households were provided energy efficient replacement refrigerators, lightbulbs and power strips through the Appliance Management Program (AMP) funded by National Grid. Additional information is available online.