LUK, Inc. recently learned that one of the founders of the organization and retired Chief Executive Officer, Punky Pletan-Cross, passed away on August 5, 2025 after a sudden illness. He was surrounded by his life partner and wife of 52 years, Cris Pletan-Cross who also worked for LUK for 26 years.

Punky came to Fitchburg MA in January 1970 as a Vista Volunteer and with co-founder Eric “Ric” Walen partnered with the community to identify needs and to take collective action to meet those needs as a human service organization. At the time, the answer was to launch a 24-hour, all-volunteer “hotline” and Let Us Know (LUK) Crisis Center, Inc. was formed accepting the first hotline call on June 26, 1970. Punky was always clear that it was the efforts of many community members bringing their unique strengths and diverse perspectives that lead to the initial creation and subsequent flourishing of LUK over the years. Punky became LUK’s first CEO and served the communities of Central MA until his departure to Hawaii in 1998. As a CEO he was passionate about LUK adapting and creatively providing services to those community members who needed it the most. Punky was a dynamic and talented leader who worked to develop organizations in which people could maximize their talents, learn, grow and be of service to others.

After leaving LUK, Punky and his wife Cris relocated to O’ahu, Hawaii and he became the Chief Executive Officer of Hale Kipa, a non-profit human service agency serving the state of Hawaii through a network of services and programs across four islands—offering outreach, housing counseling, foster care and more. He retired from Hale Kipa in 2022. Taken together, Punky served as a CEO for over 50 years to two non-profit organizations that have helped multiple communities, served countless children, youth, adults, and families and continue to make a difference in people’s lives. Punky cared deeply about his relationship with his wife and life-partner, Cris and was a devoted husband. He was a mentor, a friend, a teacher to many, and a gifted athlete who connected with all types of people and was endlessly curious about the world.

Punky remained connected to LUK throughout the years often providing mentoring to key leaders of the organization. Beth Barto, LUK’s current President and CEO shared “Punky was the type of person who you immediately felt at ease with. He understands what it is like to have the responsibility of an organization and those we serve forefront in the mind. He had the ability to ask the right type of questions to help leaders find a way forward that always kept the mission at the center. He will be missed by many but his memory lives on in the strong foundation he built at LUK which continues to help the Central Massachusetts community today.” The community can learn more about Punky and his remarkable contribution through his obituary on-line: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/honolulu-hi/punky-pletan-cross-12480015

LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.

For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!

Mass Soccer Foundation is thrilled to invite you to join us again this year, back on the greens of Red Tail Golf Golf Course, for a day of fun, camaraderie, and giving back. This tournament is more than just a great day on the course – this year all proceeds will support Mass Soccer Foundation as it aims to help community soccer organizations across the state. The backbone of this sport and key to its growth for all ages, levels, and formats is volunteerism – something that has fallen off year-over-year.

Find out more about the Mass Soccer Foundation here.

CLICK HERE FOR GOLF REGISTRATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Please contact Michael Bruno () or Jaime Balboni () with any questions regarding the golf tournament.

 

Believe it or not, CASA Project is already preparing for the next school year! We’re looking ahead to the bright futures of the children we serve. Starting early allows us to gather personal requests, grade-specific classroom lists, and the hundreds of essential supplies needed to ensure each child is set up for educational and social-emotional success.

The youth we serve often face changes in both homes and schools, making access to basic school supplies a challenge. Our goal is to provide every child we advocate for with a brand-new, personalized backpack filled with the tools they need to thrive in the 2025-2026 academic year.

You can help make that possible! By donating items from our thoughtfully curated Wishlist, your gifts will be shipped directly to our office and distributed to the students we serve.

Shop school supply deals for a GREAT cause!

DONATION DEADLINE: Monday, August 11

Shop our Wishlist HERE!

Monetary donations or gift cards for school supplies can be mailed to:
100 Grove Street, Suite 403, Worcester, MA 01605.

THANK YOU for believing in brighter futures!

Source: Worcester Business Journal
Author: By Mica Kanner-Mascolo

As part of a statewide initiative to support students historically underrepresented in higher education, Clinton High School, Fitchburg State University, and Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner have entered into a collaboration allowing students to complete college-level coursework while earning their high school diplomas.

Through the partnership, Clinton High School seniors will be able to participate in dual enrollment courses at FSU and MWCC. The collaboration looks to significantly reduce the cost and time to earn a college degree while providing greater access to career readiness programs, according to a Wednesday press release from MWCC.

Participating students will receive guidance and direction in navigating college life, preparing for college coursework, and exploring career options.

The trio’s partnership is part of Massachusetts’ Early College Initiative, the brainchild of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Launched in 2017, the program provides students across the state, particularly prospective first-generation college students, with access to college completion and career success, according to the program’s website.

“Early College programs are a key component of providing equitable access to higher education. This partnership allows us to reach more students in the region and provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed in their academic and career pursuits,” MWCC President James Vander Hooven said in the release.

Clinton High School seniors will be able to start taking courses at MWCC’s Leominster campus this fall.

The state’s Early College program includes 55 other partnerships throughout the commonwealth, including nine in Central Massachusetts, according to the website. MWCC participates in four other Early College programs with eight high schools, and FSU participates in three programs with seven high schools.

MWCC and FSU began jointly participating in the Early College program in 2019, Nia Carignan, MWCC associate director of public relations and communications, said in an email to WBJ.

“We are deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for investing in Early College opportunities that open doors for students at Clinton High School,” FSU President Donna Hodge said in the release. “We know Early College works, and at Fitchburg State, we’re proud to stand alongside our K–12 partners to expand access, increase opportunity, and help students see college as part of their future.”

LUK, Inc. was recently awarded the $10,000 Impact Award from the 100 Women Who Care of Greater Westford.

Launched in 2022, 100 Women Who Care is a Giving Circle comprised of women from Greater Westford with a desire to support nonprofits in the local community. The group gives to nonprofits quarterly and is one of more than 650 chapters of the 100+ Who Care Alliance across the globe.

LUK was nominated as the recipient of the award to support their Community Behavioral Health Clinic. The funds will help to provide safe and comforting spaces for therapy services and to offset LUK’s free care pool.

“LUK is so appreciative of the 100 Women Who Care,” says LUK President, Beth Barto. “Their donation will help children, youth, and families heal from challenging life events in a safe and supportive environment.”

LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.

For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!