Fidelity Bank today announced it donated more than $400,000 to more than 220 worthy organizations, events, and causes in several Central and Eastern Massachusetts communities in 2021 through its LifeDesign Community Dividend, which is money the bank sets aside for this purpose each year.

As communities began to slowly recover from the pandemic over the past year, Fidelity Bank utilized its gifts to reflect on the positive impact organizations bring to the communities they serve while also encouraging colleagues to utilize their unique abilities and talents to improve the world they touch.

“This past year of giving back to our communities offered the opportunity to realize the collective impact we can have not only as an organization, but also through small acts of kindness we can provide as individuals every day,” said Ed Manzi, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “Our LifeDesign Community Dividend allows us to put our mission into action in the communities we serve by using our hearts and our heads to help those in our community get where they want to be.”

Organizations receiving contributions in 2021 included Indian Hill Music of Littleton (soon to be Groton Hill Music Center when the organization opens its new home in Groton) to support outreach programs and provide scholarships for students at public schools across Fidelity Bank’s service area as well as Entrepreneurship for All, Inc., Black Box Theatre, Heywood Healthcare, Reliant Foundation, WooSox Foundation, March of Dimes Foundation, Needham Community Council, NewVue Communities, Inc., The Shine Initiative and the Worcester County Food Bank to name a few, as well as several causes promoted through Fidelity Bank’s weekly Caring Casual Fridays.

Fidelity Bank has given out approximately $2.75 million since the program was renamed in 2013.

Financial services leader moving from Leominster in response to growing market needs

Exchange Authority, a leading consultant and facilitator for Section 1031 exchanges and a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity Bank, today announced the relocation of its offices from Leominster to Worcester. 

All Exchange Authority staff relocated to the Fidelity Bank banking center located at 465 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, effective February 21, 2022. The organization will continue to offer the same services clients and referral sources have come to know and trust for more than 20 years and will continue to serve all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The move to Worcester comes on the heels of the Exchange Authority experiencing tremendous growth. In 2021, the organization realized a 30 percent increase in total exchanges, and a 48 percent increase in escrow receipts. The $226 million that flowed through the company in 2021 yielded a 37 percent increase in the average daily balance, ending the year with just over $51 million on deposit. 

“While the decision to move from Leominster was a difficult one, this move will provide us with the opportunity to be closer to our clients and respond to growing market needs,” said John Peculis, President and CEO, Exchange Authority. “We believe this move better positions us to serve our clients and partners in the financial services industry and also presents the opportunity to work alongside colleagues at the newly-renovated Shrewsbury Street banking center.”

Fidelity Bank recently completed a state-of-the-art renovation at the Shrewsbury Street banking center which included new offices, an enhanced teller pod experience and upgrades with modernized technology. 

The RCAP Solutions Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Brian D. Scales as Interim President & CEO of the organization. As previous Executive Vice President and proven leader within the organization, Mr. Scales succeeds Karen A. Koller, CAE, and assumes responsibilities on March 16, 2022. Ms. Koller is retiring from the organization after 21 years of service for health reasons, effective immediately.

“On behalf of the board, we are extremely grateful to Karen for her arduous work and dedication to RCAP Solutions over the past 21 years and we wish her the best on her retirement,” stated Laura McGee, Chair of the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors. “We are extremely excited to promote Brian to the role of Interim President & CEO of the organization. With his 14 years of service to RCAP Solutions and his strong experience within the organization, we are confident this transition will be a smooth one. We are looking forward to watching RCAP Solutions continue to grow under Brian’s leadership.”

Mr. Scales joined RCAP Solutions in 2008 with a diverse background in nonprofit development and strategic planning. During his 14 years with RCAP Solutions, he has gained extensive experience working in all aspects of program management and development and has built strong relationships with the organization’s diverse funders, partners and state and federal legislators. Mr. Scales has a distinctive understanding of the varied community and economic development challenges, making him uniquely qualified for his promotion to Interim President & CEO.

Mr. Scales received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Arts from University of Central Florida. He has also served on multiple nonprofit boards in the region as director and advisory board member.“I am thrilled to see Brian named as Interim President & CEO of RCAP Solutions,” stated Keith Ashby, Interim CEO of RCAP, Inc. “Brian has accomplished remarkable things in his many years at the organization and has become an outstanding leader within the national RCAP network. His understanding of rural community needs, paired with his extensive legislative work, and vast program and development experience makes him the ideal person to succeed Ms. Koller. I am confident that Brian will build upon the tremendous work that Karen has achieved in her 21 years as a resolute champion in supporting the needs of small communities and positively impacting underserved populations.”

RCAP Solutions is the northeast affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP, Inc.), a national network of nonprofit partners with over 300 technical assistance providers across the country. RCAP works to improve the quality of life in rural America starting at the tap. RCAP Solutions provides services in all six New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. RCAP Solutions is also the Worcester County affiliate of The Regional Housing Network of Massachusetts, which delivers progressive, affordable housing solutions and education to families and individuals in every community throughout the state.

RCAP Solutions services approximately a half million people each year with a wide array of environmental, housing, economic development, and education and training programs. About RCAP Solutions:  
RCAP Solutions is an integrated community development corporation working with a multi-faceted suite of services in communities throughout the northeastern part of the U.S. and the Caribbean. Established in 1969 (as Rural Housing Improvement), RCAP Solutions has supported the power and potential of communities for over half a century as strategists of community-wide well-being. Our mission is to foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live. For more information, please visit www.rcapsolutions.org.

The Health Foundation is pleased to announce that Kathleen J.S. Mills, PhD, LICSW has been selected to be the next Vice President for Programs. Dr. Mills comes to the Foundation with diverse experiences in clinical work, program leadership, training, consulting, grant writing, and advocacy. Most recently, she has served as the Vice President of Innovation and Learning at RFK Community Alliance where she has provided strategic direction for and oversight of the departments of Performance and Quality Improvement and Training and led the organization’s efforts to develop a theory of change. Dr. Mills’ other work experiences include serving as a consultant to the Children’s Mental Health Campaign, directing workforce development opportunities at the Infant-Parent Training Institute of Jewish Family & Children’s Service, preparing grants for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, evaluating implementation strategies of MA child welfare and Early Intervention systems, and developing and implementing a state-of-the-art clinical program for children exposed to domestic violence and teen dating violence. She received her PhD in Social Policy degree from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, her Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College, and her Bachelor of Arts in political science degree from the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Mills will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic grantmaking agenda as set by the Board, including management of the grant portfolio and budgets, directing outreach activities, facilitating the application process, monitoring the grant evaluation process, and assisting in evaluating the Foundation’s impact. She will also advise and support grantees’ evaluation, advocacy, and lobbying efforts. Her first day will be April 25.

The MWCC’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative in conjunction with community partners Gardner CAC, Growing Places, HEAL Winchendon, LUK, Inc., Making Opportunity Count (MOC) Inc., and Pathways for Change, announce the second annual Healthy Minds Virtual Youth Conference, scheduled for April 13, 2022 from 10 am to 1 pm.

The 2021 event was a tremendous success, with over 1,700 students across North Central Massachusetts participating in the live virtual event, and over 2,200 registered to access the session recordings, which addressed topics requested by students that fall outside of the realm of traditional academics

This year’s Healthy Minds event brings health and real-world skill-building to K-12 schools across the region with a theme of “Curiosity and Connection”.  Teachers and students will be able to select from breakout sessions that spark personal interests, satisfy curiosity, and help them plan for their future.

“Local organizations have so many great resources to share,” states Fagan Forhan, MWCC Dean of K-12 Partnerships and Civic Engagement. “This event extends our classrooms into the communities and broadens our students’ horizons.”

Speakers include educators and community members covering topics ranging from physical and emotional health and self-care, STEM topics, interpersonal relationships, financial intelligence, and even how to rent an apartment. Healthy Minds event organizer and HEAL Winchendon Coordinator, Miranda Jennings states, “The last couple years have been incredibly difficult for students and educators—we see Healthy Minds not just as an youth-centered learning opportunity, but also as a gift to learners and their teachers from the many community organizations supporting them and rooting for their success.”

The Healthy Minds: Curiosity and Connection event will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 10 am to 1 pm. The conference is free and open to any school and student to participate. Event preview and registration information will be available at uwyv.mwcc.edu.

Current sponsors are the Barr Foundation, Reliant Foundation, and United Way of North Central Massachusetts. Organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring should contact Donna Toothaker, UWYV Program Manager at 978-630-9138 or dtoothaker@mwcc.mass.edu.