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.
Tomten Biketown in Leominster is expanding its product line with a new inventory of running shoes now available for purchase in the showroom located at 1029 Central Street. The carefully selected collection includes brands such as Altra, Craft, Salomon, Saucony, Topo, and Balega.
This expansion is a natural fit for the expertise of the shop’s staff, who have been dedicated to helping customers enjoy a great cycling experience. Dustin and Andrew bring a background in sports shoe sales, while Jim serves as a track coach. They are all equipped to assist customers in finding the right shoe for various needs, whether for road running, trail running, competition, or casual use. The shop’s convenient location makes it easy for customers to stop by and leave ready to run.
Tomten Biketown has been an integral part of the Leominster community since 2016. With a vibrant population passionate about outdoor recreation, Tomten is committed to helping its customers stay active, healthy, and enjoy their time outdoors.
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.”
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 ().
Join MassCEO on July 30th at Framingham State University to learn more about employee ownership models and how they may help your business!
