Along with the vast majority of the American public, we are appalled, saddened and angry about the attack on our nation on Wednesday by a minority group of extremists with a narrow disruptive agenda. The disparate law enforcement treatment of a largely white mob caused further pain to people of color who have experienced much harsher protest responses. It is an unfortunate reminder that we remain a nation very much divided along political and racial lines. While healthy and peaceful political discourse is and always will be a welcome part of our society, there will never be a place for what happened at the US Capitol, and all participants need to be held accountable. Read more

An agent of change

Through roles in city government, education and Mechanics Hall, Stacey Luster’s impact on Worcester continues to reverberate.

Meet the female power players of the Bay State. The 2020 installment of this list, a joint project of The Commonwealth Institute and the Globe Magazine, includes leaders of health care companies, retail giants, construction heavyweights, financial institutions, nonprofits, and many more. All told, the women featured here­ — ­responsible for thousands of employees and billions in revenue­ — ­drive the Massachusetts economy.

How the list was created: For each organization, The Commonwealth Institute, a nonprofit that supports female business leaders, examined revenue or operating budget as well as other variables, including number of full-time employees in the state, workplace and management diversity, and innovative projects. TCI then ranked organizations according to its own formula. This is the 20th year that TCI has created the list and the eighth year that the Globe Magazine has partnered with the group.

In reviewing its strategic direction, the board of directors concluded that more Worcester based directors were an imperative for the organization. As a result, ACA made a concerted effort to “double down” on the recruitment of Worcester-area board members. Jeff Kinney, Chief of Staff and External Relations said “Worcester is a special community and we wanted our board to include more local leaders who are committed to the continued growth and prosperity of this great city. Ascentria is grateful that these talented professionals have accepted our invitation to join the board to provide incremental insight and guidance to our organization. Read more

Our nation is very sick. We are living through a pandemic, which is the easiest of the illnesses. We are also living with a cancer called racism and we suffer from massive crippling of income inequality. The first one can be cured with a vaccine, however the second two are much more structural and systemic. Read more

When young Brockton mother Jasmine Meninno was deciding on what to draw on a banner she was making for the essential workers at Ruth House, “Rosie the Riveter” popped right into her brain. Read more

These are extraordinary times. We see the challenges of this pandemic playing out in front of us every day.  We recognize the enormous burden that many are carrying, including issues related to unemployment, loneliness, physical health and stress from uncertainty.  As a human services provider, our mission is to be there for those who need us, especially now. Arguably, our work has never been more important.

This is also a time of reflection - a time to give thanks for the generosity of amazing supporters like yourself. You are the reason we are able to continue our important work of helping those in need. Read more

Every day our clients thank us for providing services that help them meet life's challenges and thrive. But the truth is, without supporters like yourself, we would not be able to help people like Amanda. So when she thanked Ascentria for the car she was awarded, she was thanking you as well. Read more