Friday, Jan. 18, 2008

 

UNITED WAY AND MWCC UNITE TO STRENGTHEN NORTH CENTRAL NONPROFITS;
NATIONALLY RENOWNED ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE

By Janice O'Connor

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts and MWCC’s Institute for Nonprofit Development are partnering with the nationally renowned social enterprise consulting firm Community Wealth Ventures to launch the North Central Massachusetts Community Wealth Workshop Series, a six-month development process designed to help nonprofit organizations become more self-sustaining by generating revenue through business ventures and corporate partnerships.

A free information session about how to apply for the workshop series to receive free, intensive training in revenue building will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Four Points Sheraton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster. The information session will be facilitated by Community Wealth Ventures, a Washington, D.C.-based organization founded in 1997 as a for-profit subsidiary of Share Our Strength, one of the nation’s leading anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations.

The session is designed for executive directors, board members and senior staff members of nonprofit organizations that seek to launch a new business or expand an existing one to support the philanthropic work of their organizations.

“We are thrilled to have nationally recognized Community Wealth Ventures share with our nonprofit community innovative strategies on creating new and unique sources of revenue,” commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts. “The possibilities are limitless, when you consider that in 2006 their organization helped 20 ventures generate nearly $8 million in new revenues,” he said.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the many hardworking nonprofit organizations in our region,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “Organizations that are ready to start a new business venture or expand an existing enterprise will receive the technical assistance they need to succeed,” he said. “And those that are not yet ready to start a business will benefit from this program through additional support services that will be available to all nonprofits, and they will be eligible to apply in subsequent years.”

The opportunity is being made possible through an initiative of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and funding from the first year of a three-year federal Compassion Capital Fund grant awarded to MWCC in October by the Administration for Children and Families of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The grant, $200,000 each year for the next three years, includes funding to administer the program and to access to $80,000 each year to the eligible organizations successfully completing intensive, long-term assistance from the Institute of Nonprofit Development.

Up to eight nonprofit organizations will be selected this year to engage in a rigorous business planning process to help them launch or grow an earned income venture. Examples of business concepts that have emerged include translation services, event planning and catering, financial planning and computer repairs. Any eligible organizations that apply for this opportunity will have access to additional support in developing new revenue streams through other intensive technical assistance and/or training opportunities.

Registration to attend the information session is required. Registrations are being accepted online through Jan. 29 at www.communitywealth.com.

Applications for the program will be available on the Community Wealth Ventures website beginning on Jan. 22. The deadline to apply is March 4. For more information, contact Alysia Johnson Fullen at ajohnsonfullen@communitywealth.com or 202-478-6543.

MOLLY BISH INSTITUTE PARTNERS WITH MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE IN AMBER ALERT OBSERVANCE

Magi Bish enjoyed the opportunity to return to creating child safety I.D. kits during Massachusetts' observance of National AMBER Alert Awareness Day. John and Magi Bish were instrumental in bringing the AMBER Alert system to Massachusetts. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police).

Volunteers from MWCC's Molly Bish Institute teamed up with the Massachusetts State Police and the Molly Bish Foundation to present a child safety fair at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree on January 11 in observance of the 11th Annual National AMBER Alert Awareness Day. John and Magi Bish were instrumental in bringing the AMBER Alert system to Massachusetts.

The safety fair was the first event the Molly Bish Foundation and Magi Bish have been able to attend in several months, following John Bish's stroke this past summer. In five hours, the volunteers made over 240 child safety I.D. kits.

The National AMBER Alert Awareness Day honors the memory of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in Arlington, Texas in 1996. The AMBER Alert system activates an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases in an attempt to galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe recovery of the child.  AMBER Alert represents the best hope for the safe recovery of children and to date is responsible for or has assisted in the recovery of over 300 children nationwide.

Andrea Hart de Gravelle, coordinator of Civic Engagement for MWCC's Center for Democracy and Humanity, with a toddler who attended the safety fair. (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police).

"It was a wonderful experience for us to get back out and support the AMBER Alert system in our state," Magi Bish remarked this week. "We worked so hard to have that offered in our communities, and we want people to be able to respond quickly to any report of a missing child. All of the volunteers worked so hard, and we really appreciate that. The volunteers from Mount Wachusett were wonderful. That collective effort helps make a difference every day."

The event focused on AMBER Alert awareness, abduction prevention education and the preparation of child identification kits for parents to use in case their child goes missing or is abducted. The volunteer effort also included members of the Braintree Police Department and Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department, and McGruff the Crime Dog. 

"We had a wonderful turnout," said Andrea Hart de Gravelle, coordinator of Civic Engagement for MWCC's Center for Democracy and Humanity, which houses the Molly Bish Insititute. "After speaking with Nicole Morrell, the AMBER Alert Coordinator of the State Police, and Lt. Colonel Mariann McGovern, who sits on our board, we are very excited to expand the State Police's partnership with the Molly Bish Institute. We have many things in common - namely that we engage in outreach to the entire Commonwealth of Massachusets, and not just one specific region. We are very excited to work with them on many more partnerships throughout the state."

The event also served as the kickoff for the 2008 AMBER Alert Poster Contest. The United States Department of Justice sponsors this annual poster contest that challenges fifth grade students to develop posters that represent America’s united goal of bringing missing children home safely. The winning poster from each state will be displayed at the National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony held in May. The national winner will travel to Washington D.C., along with his/her parents and teacher, to receive an award and participate in the National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony.

More MWCC News:

• International Club member Faheem Muhammad, left, and club co-presidents Jorge Aguirre, center, and Morgan Opramolla, right,were among the many students who volunteered at Wednesday's orientation for new students. An expo set up in the Commons area, one of many components of the orientation day, encouraged new students to participate in MWCC's Student Life programs to enhance their college experience.

  Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 season of plays presented by Theatre at the Mount. The music of legendary rock and roller Buddy Holly takes center stage as the season kicks off. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, featuring over 20 hit songs such as Peggy Sue, Chantilly Lace and That'll Be the Day, will run on Feb. 22, 23, 29 and March 1 at 8 p.m., and March 2 at 2 p.m. Summer heats up with the powerful musical Ragtime, painting a portrait fo the melting pot of America at the turn of the 20th century. Performances of Ragtime are June 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. the Disney Channel's smash hit movie High School Musical comes to life in August. This amazing blockbuster will be performed on Aug. 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Dan Goggins' Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue brings the zany Sisters of Hoboken back to the stage. In this all-new, sixth eidtion of the Nunsense series, a parishioner has promised the Little Sisters of Hoboken $10,000 for their school if they go to Las Vegas and perform at a friend's showplace. Show dates for Nunsensations are Oct. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Home for the Holidays will conclude the 2008 season. This Christmas spectacular promises to put audiences in the festive spirit with dazzling sets, stunning costumes, Broadway-style dancing, traditional holiday songs and a visit from Santa. Home for the Holidays runs Nov. 28, 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets or request a season brochure, call the TAM box office at 978-632-2403. Tickets also may be purchased online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Wish you could be the next American Idol but find the thought of facing Simon Cowell too intimidating? The Office of Student Life is offering students, faculty and staff the opportunity to make their own music videos for free during Spring Semester Welcome Week. Stop by the South Cafe from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 23 and find out if you're the next Carrie Underwood...or William Huong. On Friday, Jan. 25, the Welcome Week fun continues with free personalized signs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lion's Den Student Center.

• Works of art created by Drawing III/Painting III students will be on display through Jan. 25 in the East Wing Gallery. In addition, an exhibit of sculptures and carvings by Boston artist Paul Angiolillo is on display in the gallery through Jan. 18.

• The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: Feb. 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Dining Room B; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Feb. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner Campus, room 341; A.S. Nursing: Feb. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate program: Feb. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Complementary Health Care: Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: Feb. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12. Prospective students interested in attending an information session are asked to call the enrollment center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

• Stressed? Why not schedule a relaxation massage to ease your tension? The MWCC Student Massage Therapy Clinic provides relaxation massage at a reduced rate to the public, faculty, staff and students. One-hour sessions with student massage therapists enrolled in MWCC's Massage Therapy Program are just $15 for students and MWCC employees and $30 for the general public. Many people have already discovered the advantages of this service as a way to relax and reduce stress. To schedule an appointment, call (978) 630-9212.