Community Based Resources

After School Programs with Formal Mentorship

Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS)
Age: 6-12 years old
Location: Worcester, MA and other locations in Central Mass & Metrowest
BBBS is a structured mentorship program that offers school and community based programs. Kids are matched with a "Big" who shares similar interests and experiences. 

Boys & Girls Club
Age: 8-18 years old
Location: Worcester, MA and other locations in MA
The Boys & Girls Club offers programming during the school year and summer. After school programs provide instruction in sports, arts, and academics.

Girls Inc.
Age: K-12th grade
Location: Worcester, MA
Girls Inc. offers after school and summer programs that empower girls and young women.

Holy Cross SPUD
Age: Varies
Location: Worcester, MA
Holy Cross college students volunteer as mentors to Worcester kids through various programs. These volunteers also partners with other community based organizations that focus on specific programs for women and girls, and programs that combat poverty and hunger.

Latino Education Institute
Age: K-12th grade
Location: Worcester, MA
The goal of Worcester State University's Latino Education Institute is to address the education and well being needs of Latino students and families. It also connects students and families with regional and national resources.

South East Asian Coalition
Age: K-12th grade
Location: Worcester, MA
The South East Asian Coalition runs education relates classes and workshops to help kids with their homework, post secondary prep, and jobs searches.

STEM mentorship at WPI
Age: K-12th grade
Location: Worcester, MA
WPI students and faculty run STEM related programs and workshops for kids in elementary to high school during the academic school year and summer.

Youth Outreach Whitin Community Center
Age: 5-17 years old
Location: Whitinsville, MA
Whitin Community Center runs a free youth outreach program. This program is made up of 4 centers that focus on providing 1. academic/homework support 2. recreational activities on the weekends 3. mentorship 4. a theatre program in the summer.

After School Programs without Formal Mentorship

Discovery Museum
Age: Varies
Location: Acton, MA
The Discovery Museum houses exhibits that are interactive and encourage play.

Friendly House
Age: Varies
Location: Worcester, MA
Friendly House offers many youth programs that run year round. Programs may include homework help, physical education activities, arts and crafts, and games.

Summer Programs

Guild of St. Agnes
Age: Infant-6th grade
Location: Worcester, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardener, MA
The Guild of St. Agnes offers programs during the academic year and summer that range from homework help to recreational activities. Transportation is provided from some of the Worcester Public Schools to the Center.

Regatta Point Community Sailing
Age: 7+ years old  
Location: Worcester, MA
Regatta Community Sailing offers sailing and rowing lessons during the spring, summer, and fall.

Tenacity Summer Tennis & Reading Program
Age: 6-16 years old
Location: Worcester, MA
Tenacity Summer Tennis & Reading Program is a free program that runs in July and August where kids get to enjoy playing tennis and participate in summer reading activities.

Worcester Summer Camp
Age: Varies
Location: Worcester, MA
The Worcester Summer Camp is a comprehensive online catalog of local summer opportunities for kids and families in Worcester.

YMCA Camp
Age: 1st-7th grade
Location: Worcester, MA
The YMCA Alden Summer Program in Worcester provides age appropriate programming that includes arts and crafts, cooking projects, group games and free play.

Job Training Programs

Worcester Community Action Council- Job Education Center
Age: 17-24 years old
Location: Worcester, MA
The Job & Education Center at the Worcester Community Action Council offers support to youth and young adults who are seeking to employment. Services include help in writing a resume and cover letter, and strategies for job searching.

Worcester Youth Center
Age: 14-24 years old
Location: Worcester, MA
The Worcester Youth Center offers many free drop-in programs including work preparation where participants learn "soft skills" including resume writing, interviewing, and expectations of the workplace.

Resources for Caregivers

Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance
Location: Central MA
Service: Housing
The Central Massachusetts Housing Alliances work with families to secure safe, affordable, and stable housing.

Parents helping Parents of Massachusetts
Location: MA
Service: Peer support
Parents helping Parents offers support groups (in person and online). It also has a guide for parents who care for kids in DCF custody.

PPAL
Location: MA
Service: Workshops/ Trainings
The Parent Professional Advocacy League works with caregivers and families who are seeking mental health services and resources.

Worcester Family Partnership
Location: MA
Service: Peer support
Worcester Family Partnership works with caregivers and children and provides support services. Screening tests for your child are free and provide info on your child's development.

List of agencies in Massachusetts that may be able to provide free or low-cost services

Resources for Foster and Birth Parents:

Document with resources for foster, pre-adoptive, and kinship families regarding financial support, child care and support networks. As well as, resource guide for parents impacted by the Child Welfare System.

Referral Center

Mass211
Location: MA
Mass211 is a 24/7 service that helps families connect with community services such as food banks, after school programs and health services.

Seven Hills Child Care Resources
Location: Worcester, MA
Seven Hills' Child Care Resource Program connects and refers families to affordabe child care programs.

UMass Community Health Link
Location: Worcester, Clinton, Leominster, Fitchburg, MA
UMass Community Health Link connects kids and families to mental health services, primary care, rehab centers, substance abuse treatment centers and homeless services.

Worcester YOU, Inc.
Location: Worcester, MA
You Inc. helps connect families to services relating to food, childcare and health.

1. Massachusetts Early Intervention

Early Intervention (EI) is a state program for children under 3 years of age who have or are at risk of a developmental delay. Learn more about eligibility and how the EI team works with caregivers and children.

2. Massachusetts Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is a state agency that works with families and the community to ensure that kids are protected from abuse and neglect. The Kinship Navigator service helps kinship caregivers access resources.

3. Regional School District: Worcester Public Schools

Many of our youth in foster care attend the Worcester Public Schools. Learn more about your child's school curriculum, and the activities and student support services offered.

4. CASA of Worcester County

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), also known as Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), are volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in foster care in the juvenile courts. Volunteers gather information to help judges better understand a child while also advocating for the medical, mental health and education needs of the child.

5. Child Trauma Training Center

The Child Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a statewide program that trains child-serving professionals to identify trauma related symptoms and make appropriate referrals to evidence based trauma treatments. CTCC also offers a centralized referral system, LINK-KID (1-855-LINK-KID), which connects children to local mental health providers trained in evidenced based trauma treatments. Read more about LINK-KID on the Child Trauma Training Center’s website here. LINK-KID Referral form can be found here. 

Resources for Transition Aged Youth and Young Adults. Contains resources for education, employment and housing