(Worcester - 02/04/2022) Senator Michael Moore is happy to announce that four local coalitions in Worcester have been selected to receive funding from the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program. The recipients have been selected by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
“We should be doing everything we can to provide resources and empower local organizations that are striving to make important and meaningful change,” said Senator Moore (D-Millbury). “That’s why we in the House and Senate felt the need to allocate funding for a program such as this that provides financial assistance to these local groups that are so important to their communities. I am very grateful that four such coalitions in Worcester have received funding, as they all help to shape a better future for those living in the area.”
The four coalitions from Worcester are among a total of 65 who will receive a combined $20,860,269. The aim of this grant program is to provide support to groups to allow them to implement programs that develop, strengthen, and invest in community-led efforts to bring positive economic outcomes to communities that face historically disproportionate challenges to economic growth. The program was specifically developed to support communities with high rates of incarceration, poverty, and whose populations are largely disadvantaged and underrepresented.
The recipients in Worcester, and the amount of funding received are as follows:
$50,000 for the Black Excellence Academy/Charles Houston Cultural Project. This out of school program serves 50 Worcester Public School students in grades 1-6. It is a year-long program that runs concurrently with the school calendar and aims to; support working families; accelerate academic performance in ELA and math; expose students to various aspects of STEM with hands-on activities; and enrich knowledge and appreciation of Black history and culture.
$382,000 for Centro Las Americas Inc’s Towards Financial Empowerment program, a bi-lingual community collaboration for Worcester’s historically disproportionately affected communities. The program will facilitate successful evidence-based learning, wraparound services, and provide socio-emotional and cultural support post Covid-19 by improving financial literacy, creating new entrepreneurs, support existing businesses and building up families and community. Roughly 45 students will participate in the Start Up and 3 Venture Growth classes. Another 20-25 students will enroll into the CENTRO Financial Empowerment Education and Coaching 8-week course.
$63,301 for Friendly House and their I, Too program, a collaboration with local business leaders, departments of state and local government and the Worcester Public Schools. This program provides a positive role model to 20 young people, ages 13 to 17, who are at heightened risk of criminal justice system involvement. These role models provide guidance, empowerment, and inspiration for these youths.
$491,740 for Living in Freedom Together’s (LIFT) Building Real Action for Viable Employment (BRAVE) program. This program will provide job training and skill building in Worcester for survivors of the sex trade along with program partner, Latin American Health Alliance (LAHA). The grant will act as seed funding for LIFT to train program participants from LIFT and LAHA to operate a Coffee Truck which LIFT will purchase and outfit. The grant will additionally aid LAHA in establishing an Automotive Garage (the Garage) where the Truck will be kept and maintained.
The funding for this grant program has been made possible by allocations made in the FY21 and FY22 budget.
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