2015 Annual Report - WCEC 44th Anniversary

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

 Christopher Nelson, Board Chair  Patricia O’Leary, Board Co-Chair/Treasurer  Claire Breyton, Board Clerk/Secretary

MEMBERS

 Dana Gordon, Esq.  Patrick Jones, Esq.  Nancy Knight  Gerald Nugent  John Rodriguez  Angel Rosario  David Smith  Susan Theriault

Worcester Comprehensive Education & Care, Inc. (WCEC, Inc.) is a private non-profit, 501(C) (3) tax exempt organization under Chapter 40 Administration of the General Laws dedicated to providing high-quality early education services in low income neighborhoods. WCEC is li-

censed by the Department of Early Education and Care and its pro-  J. Soto, Jr. LSW, grams are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Executive Director  Helen Velez, Young Children (NAEYC). HR/Office Manager  Sheila Diggins, Directors Supervisor Mission Statement:  Glendaly Reyes, “WCEC, Inc. provides nurturing and stimulating education and care that Transportation Supervisor  Sandy Brown, is responsive to the entire family, by offering programs and opportuni- Administrative Asst./Payroll ties to those most in need.”  Madeline Soto, Child Development Specialist  Lisa Velez, Parent Liaison

Program Managers

 Laura Arsenault, Home Based Child Care System  Sheila Diggins, Out of School Time Program  Patricia Diaz, School Based Teen Parent Center  Gloria Sinclair, GBV Center Over 44 Years of Service to the Worcester Community!

160 Tacoma Street  Worcester, MA 01605 Massachusetts Association for Early Education & Care Phone: (508) 852-3792  Fax: (508) 853-1520 Website: www.worcestercomprehensive.org Page 2 A Word from our Executive Director Dear Interested Stake- thought never possible to achieve. passion for reading, and the desire holder, Today, they are off to college with to learn. As for the parents, it is The year 2015 marks the full understanding that it can about providing them the oppor- Worcester Compre- be done if they put effort into it, tunity to advance their education, hensive Education and confident that WCEC staff remain gainfully employed to sup- will continue to work with and port their respective families and Care’s 44th year of providing out- standing nationally accredited ear- support them through their col- have the peace of mind that while ly education and care programs lege life. Throughout this past they are doing so, their children and supportive services to chil- year our out of school time pro- are in a safe environment receiv- dren and families in the City of gram provided school age chil- ing nationally recognized quality dren with developmental experi- education and care. Worcester. As I have stated many times in the past and continue to ences that without a doubt en- Thanks to you, we are able reiterate, none of what we do to hanced each child’s reading, sci- to provide such life altering op- enhance the services to this com- ence and math skills, as well as portunities to the children in our munity and make it a better place their decision making abilities. community. Every September marks another for the children we serve would Respectfully, be made possible if not for per- month of celebration here at sons like you. Your active partici- WCEC, as we give a celebratory pation and support helps us to farewell to happy-go-lucky pre- schoolers from our home and make a difference in the lives of center based programs who tran- the children and families we serve J. Soto Jr. by enabling us to create and deliv- sition into a kindergarten class- Executive Director er programs and services that are room every fall. They are ready geared to help them succeed in and eager to apply their acquired inquisitiveness, determination, adopting and developing healthy lifelong learning practices. creativity, cooperative play and learning, organizational, cognitive The past twelve months and problem solving skills as they are a testament to the quality and immerse themselves in the scho- life changing services we are able lastic world of reading, science, to provide to the families and technology and math. children in our care. Just this past At the end of the day, it is May, 10 high school teen parents cheered by program all about providing children with staff, reaped the fruit opportunities that of their labor as they promote healthy de- crossed the stage on cision making, and graduation day to the development of receive their high confidence and skills school diploma. that allow them to Something they embrace a lifelong Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and statesman Page 4 Teen Parent Program

 School Based Teen Parent Program: Ages 4 Weeks to 2 Years, 9 Months is Offered at: Burncoat and South High Schools

The Teen Care Program provides nationally accredited early education and care to children and specialized support services to the respective teen parent designed to meet the developmental needs of both the child and the teen parent.

Through collaborations with partnering community organizations, like UNUM, , Edward Kennedy Health Center at Burncoat High School, Family Health and Social Services Health Center, MSPCC and the Alliance for Young Families, teen parents receive training in child growth and development, public speaking, job interview techniques, stress management, and budg- eting, to name a few. They do this while maintaining a full high school academic workload. The school onsite program is designed to provide opportunities for teen parents to interact with their children, learn more from highly trained staff about parenting and child development, and complete their edu- cation in a high school environment.

Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the Page 6 School Age Program

 Out of School Time Program:

Ages 5 Years to 13 Years is

Offered at: The Great Brook Valley Site

Worcester Comprehensive’s out of school time program is designed to meet the developmen- tal, and social and emotional needs of all children ages 5 through 13, Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on school days, and 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on non-school days. Through a specialized curriculum, the program provides age appropriate developmental activi- ties that promote healthy social practices, as well as enhances the child’s decision-making and problem solving skills. In addition to the academic year curriculum, WCEC partners with The Center for Child Care Careers to provide a summer program that is geared to prevent loss of learning over the summer months. During the summer months we provide children with life altering experiences with visits to the art and science museums, state parks and zoos.

Page 9 Home Based Child Care

 Home Based Child Care:

Ages 4 Weeks to 13 Years

Home based education programs deliver early education and care services to children ag- es 4 weeks to 13 years of age in state approved and licensed homes. These programs are de- signed to provide and ensure that each child re- ceives a safe and nurturing environment that offers ample opportunities geared to assist the child develop physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively, and are conducive to promote critical thinking and school readiness. Our educators work very closely with the organization’s child development specialist to ensure every child is on target with age appropri- ate milestones, and to address any concerns that may be present by making referrals to available community resources such as early intervention services. Parent involvement and education is an integral part of the program, therefore op- portunities are provided to the family to help build strong connections between the parent and child, and provide information regarding child development and best practices. We currently have 33 different Home Based Programs located throughout the City of Worcester serving over 150 children. Page 10 Preschool Programs

 Preschool Programs: Ages 2 Years, 9 Months to 5 Years are Offered at: Great Brook Valley Center and Constitution Center

All children grow and learn at their own pace. At these Centers, teams of well-trained and experi- enced Early Childhood Educators help the child to develop to his or her fullest potential. Children learn to master new skills while growing in confidence and independ- ence. An enriched environment and carefully planned activities encour- age each child’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social development.

Every day a nutritious break- fast, lunch and snacks are provided to children. The Centers recognize the parents as the primary educator of the child, therefore encouraged to participate in their child’s learn- ing through daily communication, parent/teacher conferences and classroom visits. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts our programs actively participate in the Second Step Curriculum. Page 11 Financial Statement FY 2015 A Word from the Board Chair

Operating Unrestricted It is my pleasure to report that Worces- Revenue and Other Support: ter Comprehensive leadership and staff Contract Revenue 2,941,312 have worked very hard this past year to strengthen the agency’s financial securi- Grant Revenue 29,366 ty, while continuing to provide the high quality of Fund Raising 5,843 service to the community for which it is known. Program Service Fees 277,686 Gifts, Donations, and Contributions 2,833 This year, Worcester Comprehensive’s enrollment is at an all-time high. Community collaborations con- Donated Equipment, Goods and Services - tinue to solidify the organization’s positive presence Miscellaneous 8,096 in Worcester. It is without question, that what sets Total Revenue and Other Support 3,265,136 Worcester Comprehensive apart from the rest is the quality of services provided by its dedicated staff. Functional Expenses: Program Services 2,464,420 On behalf of the Board of Directors and dedicated Child Care Services staff at Worcester Comprehensive we thank those Supporting Services 457,725 that continue to support our commitment to serve General & Administrative Worcester’s children and families. Total Functional Expenses 2,922,145 Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 342,992 Christopher Nelson, Net Assets—Beginning of Year 373,610 Board of Directors’ President

Net Assets—End of Year 716,603

Transportation Worcester Comprehensive Education and Care provides transportation throughout the City of Worcester to over 100 children to and from the child’s home and respective program on a daily basis. All vehicles meet or exceed all Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles’ regulations, and like our educators, all drivers go through a thorough investigation comprised of a national database fingerprint, Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and a Department of Children and Families’ background checks.

The transportation component is equipped with safe state certified vans and drivers who are on the road picking up children as early as 6:30 a.m. and dropping off as late as 6:00 p.m.

WCEC is always looking to expand its transportation services and invites those with a 7D license interested in becoming part of the WCEC Team to give us a call. Stamp

WCEC, Inc. 160 Tacoma Street Worcester, MA 01605

Donations accepted at: www.worcestercomprehensive.org

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Thank You to All of Our Donors, Volunteers, and Community Friends:  Alliance for Young Families  Katie Gordon & Family/Gordon Family Trust  J. & Madeline Soto  Andy’s Attic/South High School  Michele Gordon  South High School - Maureen Binienda  Ray & Mary Baltramaitis  Greater Worcester Community Foundation  St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish - Mary Lee Siple  Orlando Baxter  GWCF - Traina Family Youth Development  St. Joan of Arc  Connie Bernier  IBM  St. John’s High School  Bob’s Discount Furniture  Patrick Jones, Esq. (Board Member)  St. John’s Youth Ministry - Marian Zahra  Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Boucher  Kidsteps II Second Step Early Learning - UMass  South Bay Early Intervention  Bowditch & Dewey, LLP  Kiwanis Foundation of Worcester  Susan Stelmac  Claire Breyton (Board Member)  Nancy Knight (Board Member)  Mary Stevens  Cathleen Burke  Leominster Credit Union  Andrea Stokinger  Burncoat High School - William Foley  Izabella Luiz  Strategies for Children Early Education for All  Judith Busch (Co-Founder)  Kristen Lynch  Susan Theriault (Board Member)  David Calderwood  MADCA  Verishka Thomas  Sharon Cantor  Main South CDC  Together for Kids - Community Healthlink  Center for Childcare Careers  Mass. Alliance on Teen Pregnancy  Junko Tsuji  Jennifer Cesar  Mass. Edco - Paula Riggerio  Ronald Tyson - Aerospace Science Instructor  Child Care Careers/United Way -  Mass. Education & Career Opp. - Donna Connolly  UMass Extension - Nutrition Education Program Summer Literacy Initiative  Nina Mazloff  UnitedBank  Child Care Resources  MEC Youth Group - Father Roberto Magni  UNUM - Michelle Healy and Maryann Orrico  Mark Collins - Sr. Aerospace Science Instructor  Jurate Melius  Steve VanDyke  Lilliana DeJesus  Milford Federal Credit Union - Josh Cahill  Amy Vaughan, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt  Dept. Children & Families  John Monfredo, WPS  Maria Velez  Dept. Early Education & Care  MSPCC  Webster Five Foundation  Dept. of Transitional Assistance  National & Worcester Area Association for the  Cheerleading  Christina Diaz Education of Young Children (NAEYC/  Ajay Wakhloo  Sheila Diggins WAAEYC)  Worcester Community Action Council - Summer  Domitek, Libis Bueno  Christopher Nelson (Board Member) Youth Employment  Edward Kennedy Health Center at Burncoat H.S.  Nipmuc Regional High School - Michaela Arrigo  Worcester Community Development Block Grant  Edward Street Child Services - Diane Bruce,  Gerald & Frances Nugent (Board Member)  Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Joann Borinski  Patricia O’Leary (Board Member) Joseph D. Early, Jr.  Ebenezer Fixon - QCC Student  Pernet Early Intervention  Worcester District Court - Lois Ciuffredo  Family Health and Social Services Health Center  Polar Beverages  Worcester Family Community Partnership - at South High School  Steve Pond Parent-Child Home Program  Family Services of Central Mass.  Latefa Price  Worcester Housing Authority  Florence House T.L.P.  Savers - Amy Pagan  Raymond Mariano  Friends of Rachel Club - Sue Theriault  Robert W. Booth Fund  Worcester Public Schools: Burncoat High School  John Gardiner  John Rodriguez (Board Member) Meg Brunelle, South High School - Lois Haley  George Alden Trust, Warner Fletcher  Angel Rosario (Board Member)  WPS Special Education Dept. - Mary Meola  Teresa George  Sue Schlotterbeck  You Inc., Teen Living Program  Janina & Pablo Gonzalez  Patricia Sloan  YWCA Y.P.P.  Dana Gordon, Esq. (Board Member)  David Smith (Board Member)  Susan Ziegler