Governor Maura Healey announces the initiative. (HEC photo)
This is the latest Advancing Heath Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM) to be announced by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the first one in Central Massachusetts.
The Health Foundation has awarded a three-year, $250,000 grant to the Health Equity Partnership to support this work, which was covered by the State House News Service.
The summit was the third such event hosted by the Health Equity Compact, which brings together over 85 leaders of color who aim to advance health equity in Massachusetts. Compact members are high-level executives and experts from a diverse set of health, business, labor, and philanthropic organizations, including hospitals, health centers, payers, academic institutions, and public health.
(L-R) Health Equity Partnership Executive Director Chelsey Patriss, Executive Office of Health and Human Services Director of Health Policy and Strategic Initiatives Eliza Lake, and Foundation President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei. (THFCM photo)
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!
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) has successfully completed its annual April Foods Drive, distributing more than 7,500 pounds of food—valued at $14,625—to local agencies. The drive provided essential nutrition to 900 families and a total of 2,250 individuals across the region.
From April through June, donation boxes were placed in libraries, schools, grocery stores, and partner businesses throughout North Central Massachusetts. Community members responded generously, filling the boxes with nutritious, non-perishable items for local families in need. In addition to community donations, UWNCM partnered with local food pantries to distribute the food and teamed up with Growing Places to include fresh, locally grown produce such as apples, lettuce and asparagus. To ensure a balanced supply of food, UWNCM also purchased additional staple items.
Volunteers from The Club: Lunenburg Teen Center — Mackenzie, Charlotte, Molly, Jules, and Andy — loaded donations into the car of Julie Meehan, Executive Director of the Gardner Community Action Committee, during the April Foods 2025 Drive.
The overall impact of the drive totaled $26,533, thanks to $10,332 in in-kind donations and the efforts of 21 volunteers, who contributed 52 hours of service—valued at $1,650.
UWNCM also extends special thanks to Local Roots Cannabis Crafted and Christ Church Fitchburg for their donations toward fresh produce, Catania Oil for contributing two pallets of cooking oil (110 cases), and Point32Health for providing bags and hand sanitizer to support the drive.
“No one in our community should have to worry about their next meal. This food drive is a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can make a real difference. Every donation, big or small, helps put food on someone’s table and hope in their heart,” said Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact.
Among the many dedicated volunteers were staff from The Club: Lunenburg Teen Center, who have supported the food drive for several years.
“We’ve been volunteering for UWNCM’s food drive twice a year for the past four years,” said Michelle Belleza, Executive Director of the Club. “It’s one way we can ‘LIVE UNITED’ and give back for all the support we receive—from funding to volunteers to training. Helping load up hundreds of pounds of food makes us feel like partners in this work, not just beneficiaries. The UWNCM is a vital part of our village, and we’re proud to support the broader community it serves.”
To learn more or find ways to support future food drives, visit www.uwncm.org.
Agencies receiving donations:
Catholic Charities Worcester County
Clear Path for Veterans New England
Community Pantry at Athol High School
Gardner CAC
Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc.
Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.
Lunenburg Community Food Pantry
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry at St. Joseph Church Fitchburg
Saint Leo’s Parish Church Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Athol Corps
The Salvation Army of Fitchburg/Leominster
The Spanish American Center, Inc.
Winchendon CAC
YMCA of Athol Food Pantry
Red Dog’s Community Roofing Day is more than just shingles and nails — it’s your chance to experience the trades up close and discover how a hands-on career can build a bright future!
️ ️Thursday, July 10
10 AM – 2 PM
The Colonial Hotel, Gardner, MA
️️ FREE & open to the public!
What’s in store:
• Hands-on stations & live demos
• Meet local pros & passionate tradespeople
• National Women in Roofing on site
• Fun prizes & giveaways
• Live Panel + Q&A about career paths in the trades!
Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or just curious — this event is for YOU.
Come learn, explore, and get inspired. Let’s build something better — together.
Join Benchmark Senior Living at Leominster Crossings for an Open House Tour! Stroll our scenic grounds, explore beautifully designed spaces, and savor a signature cocktail and gourmet bites.
Meet our dedicated team and experience the vibrant, enriching lifestyle our residents enjoy every day. Then, relax in the courtyard with chef-prepared appetizers, refreshing cocktails, and live entertainment-and feel the energy that makes Leominster Crossings truly special.
Come see why our residents helped us earn a place among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Assisted Living Communities.
THE DETAILS
Thursday, June 26th
4 – 6 PM
Benchmark Senior Living at Leominster Crossings
1160 Main Street
Leominster, MA
Drop-In Coffee Hour with the Gardner Master Plan Team
Tuesday, June 24, 8-9 am
Victoria Coffee, 24 Main St., Gardner
The City of Gardner is preparing a new master plan, the first update since the last master plan 50 years ago. You can learn more about the project here.
The project consultants – Barrett Planning Group LLC and BSC Group – will be at Victoria Coffee on Tuesday, June 24, from 8 to 9 am for a drop-in discussion about the project for local organization leaders and business owners.
Come learn more about the project and share your organization or business’s experience of Gardner today, and your hopes for the city’s future! There won’t be a formal presentation but we will have materials about the plan, and we look forward to hearing how we can incorporate your organization or business’s work and constituents into the master plan.
There will be other opportunities for the wider Garnder public to participate in the plan development, but at this coffee hour we are hoping to speak with as many local organization leaders and business owners as possible!
If you have any questions about the event or the project overall, please contact Jenn Doherty at Barrett Planning Group LLC () or Jason Stevens, Director of Gardner’s Community Development & Planning Department ().
Catania Oils is opening its’ doors this summer for all enthusiastic job seekers! Join us Wednesday June 25th for our 2025 Career Fair. From production roles like Machine Operators and Bulk Technicians to Packaging Engineers and Product Onboarding Specialists, Catania has your next opportunity waiting! Check out our flyer for more details, and we’ll see you there!
Date – Wednesday June 25th, 2025
Location – Catania Oils, 90 Nemco Way, Ayer, MA 01432
Time – 11am-3pm
For more information, please contact:
Josh Gallant
Talent Acquisition Specialist
978-294-8861
July 7 – July 11 is all about giving back to the communities we serve!
Red Dog Roofing is kicking off our 1st Annual Red Dog’s Roofing Week with a bang – and we’re giving away FREE ROOFS at each of our 3 locations!
Roof Giveaway Schedule:
Monday July 7th– Sarasota, FL
Tuesday July 8th– Waterford, CT
Wednesday July 9th– Fitchburg, MA
Eligibility:
Florida Giveaway – Open to residents of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte Counties
Connecticut Giveaway – Open to all of Connecticut and Rhode Island
Massachusetts Giveaway – Open to Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Know someone who deserves a free roof?
Nominate now at www.RoofGiveaway.com
Just fill out the form – it’s that easy! Deadline for submission June 22nd – Selections made June 27th -Winners announced June 30th
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Bachelor of Science in Finance program, beginning in the 2026 academic year. As we build this program, we are committed to ensuring that our students gain not only strong academic foundations but also meaningful, real-world experience in the finance industry.
To that end, we are actively seeking to partner with local businesses and organizations to provide internship opportunities that will prepare our students for successful careers in finance. Your insights and potential involvement are incredibly valuable to us.
We kindly ask you to take a few moments to complete a brief survey regarding any finance-related internship opportunities your organization may offer, or to share your thoughts on the skills and experiences you believe are most important for future finance professionals.
Your feedback will directly influence how we shape our curriculum and internship offerings to better align with the needs of the local business community.
Thank you for your time and support in helping us prepare the next generation of finance professionals. If you have any questions or would like to discuss partnership opportunities further, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
MassDevelopment’s Biz-M-Power offers matching grants of up to $50,000 to eligible, growth-oriented small businesses. These grants can help offset costs related to acquisitions, expansions, improvements or leasing of facilities, purchasing or leasing equipment, and other capital needs.
To qualify for this funding opportunity, businesses must have fewer than 20 employees and annual revenues not exceeding $2.5 million. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have at least 20% of the required owner’s funds available at the time of application, as shown by business bank account statements.
For fiscal year 2025, the Commonwealth’s Capital Budget has allocated $1,000,000 for this program, which will be administered by MassDevelopment’s Growth Capital Division.
To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application by June 15, which is available exclusively online through Submittable: https://massgcc8.submittable.com/submit
While working with the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is not required, you are welcome to contact Sandie Cataldo for assistance at .
