News from our members

English Learners Graduate with CNA Certificates from New MWCC Program

DEVENS – Ten students received Certified Nurses Assistant certificates from Mount Wachusett Community College at a graduation last week for a free program that pairs the certificate with continued English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

“This is a group who is focused and committed and who are going to do great things,” said MWCC President Vander Hooven at the graduation. “You are going to be helping people in need and you are going to be working with them in ways that make them feel better… I’m very proud of you and it’s a pleasure for me to be here.”

The students from Clinton, Fitchburg and Leominster were surrounded by family and friends as they received their certificates on Wednesday, February 15 at the college’s Devens campus. This was the first group of students to complete the newly launched program. The student speakers – Jaqueline Conte, Katia Ferrari and Sarai Marcial-Rodriguez – explained the program has helped them move toward their dreams of helping people.

“We have traveled together sharing the same dream,” said Conte. “We’ve had to face many difficulties, but knowing that in the end I will be helping other people will make it all worthwhile.”

Students in the program not only put in the hours for CNA training, but also took ESOL classes two nights a week. Students said the work was tough, but worth it. The next step for students will be to take their state exam and then they will be able to work out in the community.

Everyone was a great student, said MWCC’s Associate Director of Adult Education and Training at Devens Kijah Gordan, and now they will be able to make an impact as they give back through their work.

“You being a part of our college makes it a better place. You working in the community will make it a better place, because you’re all amazing,” said Gordon at the ceremony.

This new program is operated at MWCC’s Devens campus by the MWCC Adult Education and Training Department in partnership with the College Workforce Development Office. It offers English language instruction that has been contextualized to the healthcare field in conjunction with training to prepare students for the Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant Exam.

MWCC received the Integrated English Language and Civics Education grant that funds the program from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2018. All student costs for the program are covered by the grant and matching funds from MWCC, including all the supplies and textbooks, making it free for the students. The clinical portion of the program was conducted at Life Care Center of Leominster.

Grant funds will cover 20 students a year through 2020. While many students were referred from other English language programs, interested students may also inquire directly with MWCC’s Adult Education and Training at Devens by calling 978-630-9363.

Leominster Credit Union Donation Spreads Warmth

Leominster, MA, – March, 2019 – Leominster Credit Union donated 74 new blankets to area homeless shelters and charities.  Twenty-four Massachusetts Credit Unions along with the Cooperative Credit Union Association participated in the 2019 Blanket Drive during the month of January.  The credit unions donated a total of 1,481 blankets to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and other local agencies across the state. LCU has participated in the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s initiative along with area Credit Unions since 2011.

“The generosity from members, staff and board members was exceptional.  A special thanks to Lorrie Brodeur and the residents from Sunrise Senior Living Center for the blankets they made and donated to the drive. Giving back to the community is an LCU core value and we are committed to helping the communities in which we live and work. We are pleased that we are able to assist so many through this blanket drive,” said John O’Brien, LCU President & CEO.

Blankets were distributed to the following area organizations: Montachusett Interfaith Hospital Network, Leominster; Ginny’s Helping Hands, Leominster; Holden Senior Center; Wheat Community Connection/ Hidden Treasures, Clinton; Sterling American Legion, McKay School, Fitchburg; Friendly House, Worcester and Leominster Emergency Management. 

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646. 

Barbara A. Mahoney named Chief Operating Officer at Leominster Credit Union

Leominster, MA– Leominster Credit Union announces that Barbara A. Mahoney has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. 

Mahoney has been with Leominster Credit Union for over 15 years and most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. In her new role, Barbara will continue to manage the Human Resources Department and Facilities Department but will now add the oversight of Information Technology (IT) and Operations to her responsibilities. Mahoney will continue to report to John O’Brien, President and CEO and serve as a member of the senior management team.

“Barbara has a firm understanding of our operations, employees and our mission, vision and values and has worked hard over the years to help build a culture of engaged and motivated employees. I am confident that she will continue to make a positive impact on our institution in her new role,” stated John O’Brien, President & CEO, Leominster Credit Union. 

Mahoney is a long-time resident of Leominster and an active member of the community. She is the Chair of the Board for both the Employers Association of the Northeast and MassHire North Central Workforce Board as well as a member of SHRM and NEHRA and serves on the Foundation Committee for St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School. 

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646. 

MWCC Partners with Gardner Public Schools for Gateway and Pathways Dual Enrollment Programs

GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven, Gardner Public Schools Superintendent Mark Pellegrino, and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, Feb. 11 establishing a partnership between the college and district for the college’s Gateway to College and Pathways Early College Innovation School dual enrollment programs.

The agreement will go into effect for the 2019 to 2020 school year. This will be a planning year between the college and the district to determine the exact structure of the dual enrollment programs. Students graduating in May of 2019 from either program will receive their high school diplomas from Ralph C. Mahar Public Schools, which was the previous district partner for both programs. In coming years, student’s high school degree will be from Gardner Public Schools.

This agreement will reinforce to students in the Gardner school system that college is an option. With time, middle school students will know that college classes through dual enrollment, and beyond, are within their reach because of this agreement.

“I view this as being aspirational… it’s going to keep a focus on having college be an opportunity,” said President Vander Hooven. “Over time, I believe you really are going to see significantly higher levels of students going on to college, whether it be at Mount Wachusett Community College or anywhere else in the state. This is a great opportunity for us to work with the schools here.”

The partnership marks a deepening of an already strong relationship between the college and school district, said Pellegrino at the signing Monday, explaining that about 50 percent of Gardner’s high school graduates attend MWCC. The college is a great resource for the district, as well as the students, he said, and this agreement only solidifies that further.

“To offer these programs to students while they are still in high school is a great way for kids to get a head start and it’s also a cost-saving measure for families who can save thousands on college tuition by participating in this program,” said Pellegrino who explained students will benefit from robust dual enrollment options. “It is what the state is looking for. It is what our students are looking for and what our parents are looking for. I think it’s the right thing to do… it’s a great program that is preparing students for their future.”

Both of the programs provide significant college experience as students earn their high school degree. Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke, said he was pleased to see connections between his high school and college alma mater expand.

“This is what we do in the city of Gardner every day, make sure we are able to meet our educational goals, whether it be at the elementary school and high school or at continuing education at the community college level,” said Hawke. “This is going to be a great thing for the City of Gardner and the Gardner Public School System.”

The planning process for the Gateway and Pathways dual enrollment programs will take place in the coming year.

Fitchburg Public Library presents Irish Concert with Kate Chadbourne

Fitchburg Public Library presents

Irish Concert with Kate Chadbourne    March 10, 2019, 1:30-3:30 PM, Auditorium

Please join us at the Fitchburg Public Library (610 Main St.) on SUNDAY afternoon, March 10, 2019 from 1:30-3:30 PM in the auditorium for free concert for all ages in the Irish Tradition. The concert will be performed by Kate Chadbourne an award winning songwriter, poet and performer. She brings to her audiences the sounds of the harp, tin whistle, Irish flute, and melodeon, a deep love and knowledge of traditional Irish stories, and a warm and welcoming presence. This is a free program.  Free parking is available in the lot at the corner of Boulder Drive and Newton Place. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website:www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

Moura’s Cleaning Service, Inc. Joins a Growing Number of Cleaning Organizations to certify to the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard

Fitchburg, MA  February 5, 2019 — ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, announced today that Moura’s Cleaning Service, Inc. achieved ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) and CIMS-Green Building (GB)certification.

Compliance with the standard shows that a cleaning organization has the systems in place to deliver consistent, professional services designed to meet customer needs and expectations and is prepared to deliver a comprehensive green cleaning program based on LEED EB: O&M green cleaning criteria. CIMS and CIMS-GB certification are required in many cleaning service bid specifications as customers look for an effective way to identify high-quality providers committed to customer satisfaction.

“We are proud to service our customer’s and all the hard work that our employees do,” says David M. Moura President Moura’s Cleaning Service, Inc.  “all our employees work hard every day to make sure that our customer is take care of”

Independent, accredited assessors verify CIMS and CIMS-GB certified firms meet the industry standard for:

  • Quality systems
  • Service delivery
  • Human resources
  • Health, safety, and environmental stewardship
  • Management commitment
  • Green Building

Workers Credit Union Presents Funds to Worcester County Food Bank

FITCHBURG, Ma., Feb. 5, 2018 – Workers Credit Union has presented $29,150 to the Worcester County Food Bank raised in its fall and holiday fundraising campaign held from November through Dec. 31, 2018. The credit union pledged the Worcester County Food Bank $5 for every new member or account and for every download of its mobile app. Workers Credit Union leaders and staff toured the Worcester County Food Bank and surprised the nonprofit with the donation on Wednesday.

“The response to this new fundraising campaign was tremendous and nearly tripled our original goal,” said Doug Petersen, president and CEO of Workers Credit Union. “The ease of the automatic giving just for joining or downloading the app helped us far exceed our original fundraising goal.”

The donation represents more than 4,100 new members and accounts and almost 1,700 downloads of the credit union’s app. The campaign was simple – new members joined the credit union for the standard $5 membership fee and the credit union earmarked the donation to the Food Bank. The donation was automatic and applied to any member, new or existing, and all those who downloaded the credit union’s mobile app during the campaign period. Workers had originally hoped to raise $10,000 for the food bank.

Workers Credit Union’s donation will help the Worcester Food Bank distribute more than $115,000 of donated food to our community.

“This campaign has raised money and awareness,” said Worcester County Food Bank Executive Director Jean G. McMurray. “The generosity is a beautiful show of support for neighbors struggling with hunger and throughout Worcester County. These funds are used to help us achieve a hunger-free community.”

Workers Credit Union has been a long-time supporter local food banks and hunger-fighting programs. In addition to this campaign, Workers and its members donated $11,299 to the Worcester County Food Bank in September 2018 as part of its annual GiveBack program. In October 2018 Workers Credit Union donated $3,000 to the Gardner Community Action Committee (CAC) to help fight hunger in the greater Gardner area. 

Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB)) is the region’s leading anti-hunger organization, distributing enough food annually for 5.4 million meals in collaboration with food donors, financial supporters, and volunteers. WCFB provides donated food to a network of 118 Partner Agencies that have food assistance programs, including food pantries, community meal sites, and shelters. This past year, WCFB and its Partner Agencies served 81,000 people in the community. WCFB also advocates within the community and at the state and federal levels for systemic and sustainable solutions to the problem of hunger. WCFB’s mission is to engage, educate, and lead Worcester County in creating a hunger-free community. 94 percent of all donated resources go directly towards creating a hunger-free community. See: www.foodbank.org.

Workers Credit Union, home of the $3.3 million GiveBack program, is headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. With assets of $1.7 billion, the credit union serves over 102,000 members from 16 offices in Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend, Westford and Workers Online at www.workerscu.com. 

Paid Internship Opportunities at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital

ATTENTION INTERNSHIP SEEKERS: UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is looking for college students who are interested in paid internship opportunities for the summer season! Please see the form below for details and then send to Christopher Hendry, Sr. Dir. of External Affairs, at chendry@healthalliance.com.

Other Details:

The program is 10-weeks long (June through August), 20-hours/week and pays $12/hour totaling $2,400. We currently have as many as 27 vacancies available. Students must be enrolled in college.