Guild of St. Agnes Strengthens Early Ed. in Central MA | | The Playmakers class of 2026 graduation photo. (Photo: Guild of St. Agnes) | | |
Playmaker Project Brings Practical, Trauma-Informed Tools into Early Learning Settings
Through its 2025 Activation Fund grant from The Health Foundation, the Guild of St. Agnes is leading the charge to strengthen the early education workforce across Central Massachusetts. The Guild is partnering with Life is Good: Playmaker Project to bring practical, trauma-informed tools into early learning settings. This work supports safe, joyful, connection-rich environments that promote children’s health, emotional well-being, and healthy development to benefit both educators and the families the Guild serves.
In April, the Guild reached a major “train-the-trainer” milestone: six newly certified Guild Playmaker Guides co-facilitating four Playmaker Foundation trainings across Worcester and Webster in a single day. More than 150 early childhood professionals participated, building local capacity to use relationship-based, healing-centered practices that strengthen classrooms and support families.
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“Being a Playmaker has truly shifted my mindset in the best way—it’s not just something I do at work; it’s become a part of who I am in my everyday life. It has opened my eyes on how truly seeing someone and making a connection with them can unlock a door of self-worth, positivity, kindness, and joy-even on the days when things feel overwhelming or exhausting.”
- Ani Reyes, Playmaker Guide, Assistant Director of School Age Programs
The Guild Guide Team - Certified Playmaker Guides.
(Photo: Guild of St. Agnes)
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Most notably, the Guild’s Playmaker model is positioned to be self-sustaining. The Guild Playmaker Guides will continue training colleagues and supporting the growing cohort enrolling in Playmaker University. Together, The Health Foundation and the Guild are strengthening early education that benefits Central Massachusetts-based educators and families alike. As a result of the Guild’s leadership and capacity building efforts, educators are supported, families are engaged, and children have access to enriching, imaginative, and play-based early education programming.
Katie Sullivan, Director of Communications & Development at the Guild added, “The Health Foundation's support transformed Playmaker University from a program into a movement at the Guild. By empowering six Playmaker Guides through a train the trainer model, we’re building lasting internal capacity and extending the impact of trauma informed, play based practices to hundreds of educators and nearly 1,800 children every day.”
| | New England Health Funders Convene in Sturbridge | | Participants at the New England Health Funders gathering. (Foundation photo) | | |
From April 30 - May 1, 40 representatives of New England health funders gathered in Sturbridge for a two-day convening to network and share experiences with colleagues. Interactive peer-led group discussions explored how foundations are navigating an increasingly complex environment, how they are speaking up and supporting their communities, what role organizations are playing in responding to Medicaid changes, and how foundations are revising their strategies with the changing landscape for health equity and public health.
Other topics included capacity and organizational development, coalition and field building, advocacy and systems change, trust and power sharing, and learning and peer exchange. Participants also had the opportunity to share thoughts on best practices and consult with peers on topics of shared interest. The funders hailed from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and 17 unique foundations were represented.
| Participants engaged in one of the sessions. (Foundation photo) | | |
The Boston Globe 2026 Health Equity Summit on May 13
The Boston Globe will be hosting its 2026 Health Equity Summit on May 13, convening health and life sciences ecosystem leaders, medical experts, journalists, and community advocates to engage in critical conversations focused on reducing health disparities and fostering more inclusive care. Programming will consist of dynamic discussions and expert-led panels that dive into the work being done across the region's health care systems to ensure a more equitable future for all. Attendees will engage with journalists shaping the narrative and the experts driving change in their respective industries. You can register for a virtual ticket here.
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Health Equity Trends Summit on June 2
The Health Equity Compact will host the Health Equity Trends Summit on June 2 in Boston. The summit convenes leaders from government, health care, business, and community organizations at a critical moment for Massachusetts.
Federal policies are reshaping access to coverage, funding, and even the data to understand and address health disparities. These shifts are forcing urgent decisions about the future of the Commonwealth’s health system and the role each of us must play in shaping it. This year’s summit is designed to advance clarity, connection, and action at this pivotal time.
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The Health Equity Compact brings together over 100 leaders of color across a diverse set of Massachusetts organizations – including hospitals, health centers, payers, academic institutions and public health – to advance health equity in Massachusetts.
| | Staff Recognized for 20 Years at Foundation | | |
The Health Foundation would like to recognize two employees who recently celebrated 20 years at the Foundation. Grants and Operations Manager Daniel Germain and Director of Finance and Administration Michelle Ewing both joined the Foundation in the Spring of 2006.
“Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some amazing colleagues and had the opportunity to learn from two inspiring leaders, Drs. Jan Yost and Amie Shei. I’m deeply grateful to contribute to work that truly matters,” said Mr. Germain.
Ms. Ewing added, "Twenty years goes quickly when you believe in what you're doing. Being part of the team that helps make this mission possible is something I'm genuinely proud of."
| | Nonprofit and Community Resources | | |
The following resources may be of interest to our nonprofit partners and community members.
Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass
The Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass is hosting a listening session for community members and providers concerned about the changing landscape of mental and behavioral health services in the region at the Leominster City Hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Hear from state officials, current service providers, providers expanding into the region, and legislators during a moderated discussion about what is changing, what is needed, and how North Central providers and policymakers are working to meet this moment. There will be time for referring providers and community members to ask questions of the panel.
Leadership Worcester
Applications for the Leadership Worcester Class of 2027 are now being accepted. The application deadline is Monday, May 25, 2026. Leadership Worcester is an intensive 9-month program run by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce that explores a variety of local issues like economic development, public health, and education. Participants gain hands-on experiences through monthly sessions, site visits, and discussions to foster civic leadership and community engagement.
Annie E. Casey Foundation
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is recruiting for the second class of its Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship. They are looking for talented, highly motivated early-career professionals between the ages of 24-31 who desire to grow personally and professionally. The deadline for providing recommendations is Monday, June 22, 2026 and the application deadline is Monday, July 6, 2026.
Health Care For All
Health Care For All is conducting a survey in collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to understand why many women or people who experience women‑specific preventive health needs in Massachusetts may not be taking advantage of all preventive health services that are guaranteed under state and federal law.
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University is offering a Certificate in Dementia Crisis that is specifically designed to help professionals in a variety of areas of care learn how to respond effectively to a dementia-related situation, including EMS, hospital professionals, direct caregivers, and law enforcement.
Massachusetts Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office - GrantWell
GrantWell is a first-of-its-kind AI-powered tool to assist communities with applying for grants. It is designed to simplify the process of seeking grant opportunities, understanding their requirements, and writing applications. The tool is free to all Massachusetts communities.
| | The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity. As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc., The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $62 million to 250 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org. |
| © 2026 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts | | | | |
