Twenty Five Years!
That’s a long time. Since 1993, Worcester Interfaith has been organizing to ensure that public resources and funding are used to support those citizens who need them most. We’ve mobilized people across the city and worked with people across the state to achieve social and economic justice. We’ve increased public safety by fighting for Community Policing. We’ve secured funding for youth jobs, job training for adults, Community Schools, pools, parks and recreation and community improvements.
We’ve worked hand-in-hand with congregations and community-based organization to right wrongs; to ensure that the voice of the community was heard and considered by those making decisions about our city’s future. We’ve created two broad-based coalitions – the Central MA Youth Jobs Coalition and the Worcester Community Labor Coalition to build power and create change. As a result, we’ve secured millions of dollars in YouthWorks funding from the Commonwealth each year and leverage hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city to provide workforce training for those being left behind by the economy.
Worcester Interfaith is fueled by people. As we enter our 26th year, we need more people than ever. We continue to fight for YouthWorks funding, as thousands of low-income youth are looking for jobs. We need to ensure that downtown development benefits everyone. We need to address the inequities that lead to a disproportionate number of students of color being detained , suspended and expelled from our public schools and the lack of vocational education options for those students.
We’re really excited about the future! We’ve successfully handed the leadership baton from Frank Kartheiser to Isabel Gonzalez-Webster. We recently completed a strategic planning process, during which we listened closely to the hundreds of people who provided us with input. Based on this, we formulated a new vision for Worcester Interfaith, and charted some goals for the future. We’ve entered into a partnership with MCAN which grants us access to resources and state wide partnerships. As an example, we have been able to grow to a two person staff organization. We welcome Delia Vega to the Worcester Interfaith family as a full time organizer.
Our vision is to be faith-rooted and faith-driven, multi-racial and racially-just, and serious about building grassroots power to compel the community changes we seek. In order to achieve this vision, we need you. Your support will enable us to continue fighting the good fight, which is to ensure that people who are marginalized have both a voice and a place at the table. We have our work cut out for us, but together, we can continue to make Worcester a great city for all of us. Please help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 by making your tax-deductible contribution by December 31st.
Please send your check to the address noted at the bottom of the page. If you’d prefer to make your donation on line, please visit: http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1311472
