Community Action News
March 2020

WORCESTER COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL, INC.

Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Since 1965 Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. has been there to support our communities in their time of need. That remains true today. Although our physical offices are closed to the public to adhere to public health advisories and social distancing recommendations, be assured our staff are working remotely and remain available via phone and email. Whether you are long standing client or suddenly find yourself in need of assistance, WCAC is committed to helping however we can and connecting vulnerable families with the community resources they need.
Together we do better.












VOLUNTEER TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUSPENDED

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, WCAC's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation program was forced to cancel all appointments scheduled between March 17th and April 15th. As both the state and federal tax deadlines have been extended, staff and volunteers will make every effort to serve clients who had appointments cancelled by rescheduling once office closures and public health restrictions are lifted, but please understand that we are not able to predict that likelihood at this time.

If we are able to open our again, we will contact VITA clients via email and/or phone to reschedule. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit 
www.myfreetaxes.com   which through a partnership with United Way, offers access to H&R Block's online tax preparation software, free of charge to income-eligible taxpayers who need to e-file a simple return, federal and state.
HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

WCAC’s Fuel Assistance Program is designed to provide relief to those households that are struggling with high home heating costs. Although WCAC’s main office is closed to the public, staff are working remotelys and remain available via phone and email. There are no in-person appointments or walk-ins. 

Please note, publicly held eclectric and gas utilities have suspended shut-offs through the state of emergency.  For heating emergencies, please call 508-754-1176, option 2 and someone will return your call.

If you have never applied for home heating assistance, and think you may now be eligible due to job loss or reduced hours, text HEAT to 80123  and a staff member will call you to discuss. For a Spanish-speaking representative,  Text CALOR to 80123 . 

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Beyond the direct services WCAC provides we want to be sure you are connected to whatever community service you might need. Click HERE for a link to our community resource page which includes information about Unemployment Assistance; Food Assistance including links to area mobile-meals programs as well as food pantries, soup kitches and shelters; services for senior citizens; emergency childcare programs and more.

And, while our Head Start centers remain closed during this time, check out the Educational/Recreational Resources page we created to help keep little ones engaged and entertained. Be sure to follow WCAC on Facebook as well for daily online storytimes too.
SUMMER JOBS

Applications for YouthWorks Summer Jobs program for 2020 are now being accepted! Worcester’s “YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program” was established to create summer jobs for low-income, inner city youth between the ages of 14 and 21. At this time the deadline to apply remains April 1st.

Each summer, youth are provided with 18 hours of pre-employment training, along with 6-7 weeks of meaningful paid work experience, and daily supervision and support. New for 2020, youth ages 14-15 will participate in 10-hour weekly paid service learning projects. Eligibility requirements and link to applications available  online.

If you are an employer interested in hosting a YouthWorks youth employee, please  contact us.
EVERYBODY COUNTS

Although the Coronavirus has brought life as we know it to a virtual stop, one thing we mustn't let stop is the Census 2020. Every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the federal government undertakes a census of the U.S. population. This is the year!
  • Census forms should have arrived to your home via US mail in mid-March 2020.
  • Responses to the census form should include everyone living at that address.

For the first time ever, the census is available to be completed online. Please take advantage of stay-at-home orders and complete your census online today! Please take a few moments to complete the census to make sure everybody is counted. These numbers will be more important than ever to ensure our communities received critical federal resources! 
Quick Links
www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net