The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) has generously granted $4,500 to Open Door Arts’ Open Door Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum (ODG@WAM). The Worcester Arts Council is resolute in its mission to promote access and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences through its financial support of ODG@WAM.

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) recently awarded the contract for Child Care Resources in western Massachusetts to Seven Hills Child Care Resources (CCR), which is operated by its affiliate, Children’s Aid & Family Services (CAFS). As of July 1, Seven Hills CCR has completed their expansion into three new western MA locations, more than doubling its workforce to over 50 staff across the regions.

Thank you, Worcester Arts Council, for granting Seven Hills ASPiRE! a $5,000 gift for their Creative Movement program. Creative Movement is a joint venture with the Hanover Theatre Conservatory of the Performing Arts and provides a fun, expressive, and lively dance experience across an array of adaptively guided and free-form dance styles well-suited for individuals with a wide spectrum of disabilities from all over the Greater Worcester area.

The Early Childhood Education workforce in Massachusetts is in crisis. The Department of Early Education and Care recently announced that the number of childcare openings in the system has decreased by 6,000. Contributing to the decrease include COVID-19 and low wages. The pandemic has impacted all female-dominant early childhood programs as the resounding effects of the pandemic have driven women out of the workforce and forced the closure of center-based classrooms and family childcare home businesses.

A grant of $20,000 from the George W. Wells Foundation will fund vital services offered at YOU, Inc.’s Southbridge Family Resource Center, including assessment and referrals for counseling and safety net supports for families, as well as assistance with childcare, transportation and other persistent barriers to accessing behavioral healthcare in Southbridge. The Foundation has been a generous partner in our efforts to serve vulnerable youth and families in Southbridge over many years, and we are grateful for their...