Education & Social Services - Worcester Community Action Council

Welcome to Worcester Community Action Council

Worcester Community Action Council’s (WCAC) mission is helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships, and advocacy. WCAC was startaed in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” It is the federally designated “community action agency” for Central MA. Today, the agency serves the City of Worcester and 45 surrounding towns through emergency and social service programs.

About Community Action

Community Action Agencies (CAAs, also known as Community Action Programs or CAPs) are private, non-profit human service and advocacy organizations that were established by Congress and the President in 1964 to fight poverty by opening the doors to self-sufficiency.

Poverty Forum

We all have a role in combating poverty. Although everyone experiences bumps along the way, too often there are real barriers which present obstacles to success. Just as some public policies create conditions for success, other policies have created obstacles to opportunity for some, or allowed those obstacles to persist.

Census 2020

Every year, the federal government distributes more than $675 billion to state and local governments based on census data. Census data guides local planning decisions, including where to provide additional social services, build new roads, hospitals and schools and where to locate job-training centers. Ensuring an accurate count is critical.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

PROGRAMS BUILT FOR YOUR SUCCESS

We are an umbrella agency for education, employment and social service programs.

Financial Empowerment
Fuel Assistance & Energy Savings
Jobs & Education Center
Early Education & Care

46

Communities Served

75000+

Individuals Impacted

130+

Employees in Action

55

Years of Service

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP-TO-DATE

28Jul

July 2020 Enewsletter

WCAC: Here for You. We'll continue to respond to our collective community's needs and remain committed to helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy. Read more…

June Enewsletter – WCAC’s new normal

17Jun

June Enewsletter – WCAC’s new normal

Despite having to make many changes to the way we do business, WCAC remains committed to continue to make the broadest, most positive impact on our collective community we can.…

03Jun

June Board Meeting Scheduled

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. will hold a joint meeting of its Board of Directors and Head Start Policy Council on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 5 p.m. via Zoom teleconference. Full…

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED ON THE PATH TO INDEPENDENCE WITH OUR PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

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STATEMENT FROM WCAC

In the wake of the murder of Mr. George Floyd, we are still searching for words adequate to express our disgust and horror over the actions of those responsible for his death; our deep sadness for Mr. Floyd’s family, friends and community; and our anger over the repeated dehumanizing and fatal oppressive actions that threaten our nation. On behalf of the Worcester Community Action Council, we unequivocally condemn the police brutality that led to Mr. Floyd’s death. We join the call for justice, unity, peace and reform.

Worcester Community Action Council is directly and indirectly affected by the tragic events in our country that have reopened wounds that were never healed. Our board of directors, staff and clients feel the impact of these events in deeply personal ways, and struggle with the feelings of fear, mistrust, separation, and anger. We stand together in solidarity with the thousands of peaceful demonstrators across the country who are demanding justice for Mr. Floyd and an end to the systemic and intentional acts of oppression imposed upon communities of color. George Floyd is now among countless, precious Black lives lost due to the imbalance of power in this country that has been perpetuated by racism. Systemic racism must end. We must hold ourselves accountable as allies to act as a relentless force for positive change.

Community Action was created in 1964 from the efforts of the Civil Rights Movement as part of the federal Economic Opportunity Act in the “War on Poverty”. In our role in the community, WCAC must renew and strengthen our calls for an end to the poverty and inequity that threaten our society.

We will be a strong voice against injustice, oppression and hate by advocating for policies that create equitable access to education, health, social and economic systems.

We will continue to work to stabilize individuals and households through our programs while deepening our resolve to create economic self-sufficiency through financial building blocks.

We will continue our leadership role in the City of Worcester’s Safe and Successful Youth Initiative in partnership with the Worcester Police Department and Worcester Public Schools, recognizing youth employment and education are pathways for success.

We will continue to invest resources in our youngest children across Southern Worcester County from ages zero to five as we help prepare them for long-term success in school and life.

We will use our agency’s purchasing power to support African American, Latinx and Immigrant- owned businesses by purchasing goods and services.

We will support a diverse staff at all levels to work within our own agency staff to examine, change and navigate ourselves and our community into a just and equitable era.

We will listen to the needs of our community and routinely shift our work to address these needs directly.

We will partner with you, and like-minded organizations, to support initiatives that help our community heal, unify, and become stronger.

Together, we can make meaningful reforms, and change the course of the future for our children.

Signed,

Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director Noreen Johnson Smith, WCAC Board Chair

Statement endorsed by WCAC Board of Directors 6/2/2020

Chinese (Simplified)