The Project Flourish Child Development Apprenticeship Program trains early childhood workers recently hired in group childcare programs that serve low-income families through their acceptance of state childcare vouchers. Offered as a bilingual program, we provide entry-level and under-skilled workers, earning at or near minimum wage, with the opportunity to secure employment and/or advancement in the field of early education and care. Family Services of Central Massachusetts, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation, would like to offer a most sincere thanks to the City of Worcester for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds of $100,000 for Project Flourish.

Family Services of Central Massachusetts would also like to thank the city of Worcester for the ARPA Community Projects and Program Grant to support our Housing Mediation program. Funding will be used to negotiate landlord-tenant disputes in hopes of preserving tenancy, and thus increase the long-term housing security for residents in the city of Worcester impacted by COVID-19.