PUBLISHED: Worcester Business Journal (March 3, 2021)

Almost a year after the coronavirus pandemic hit, the fund has now given $1 million in its third and final phase, which it calls Reimagining, with a goal of helping organizations plan for the future after the health crisis. Six groups got funding that the Worcester Together fund announced Wednesday:

• Legendary Legacies, Inc.: $125,000 for creating a youth-led civic engagement academy to increase voter registration and turnout among 18-25 year olds.
• Pernet Family Health Service: $150,000 for providing in-home neonatal visits for all Worcester parents.
• Regional Environmental Council: $125,000 to improve food security by increasing utilization of federal and state programs designed to help residents purchase local produce
• Together for Kids Coalition: $175,000 for establishing an early childhood care coordinated system.
• Worcester Community Action Council: $175,000 for the delivery of services in Southbridge and surrounding communities.
• Worcester Education Collaborative: $250,000 for improving access to and quality of out-of-school time programs.

The Worcester Together fund, a joint effort led by the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, raised $10 million in the span of about five months last year to help groups meet the needs of their clients during the pandemic. Major recipients included Abby's House, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Community Healthlink, Open Sky Community Services, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts and YOU Inc. Programs that benefitted include housing aid, meal deliveries, youth enrichment, and supplies and equipment for health providers.