In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Wednesday, March 24 – there are now job openings through the City of Worcester’s Youth Entrepreneurs for Creatives program, Attorney General Maura Healey and Congressman Jim McGovern will join with volunteers to fight hunger in Worcester on Wednesday, the Department of Transitional Assistance launches a new tool to connect SNAP recipients with fresh produce, the Worcester Cultural Coalition announces the next iteration of Worcester Windows and Dunkin’ launches free donut Wednesdays.
Job Openings with Youth Entrepreneurs for Creatives Program
The City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division and Division of Youth Opportunities are collaborating to form the first “Create 508 – Youth Creatives and Entrepreneurs” program. The mission of the program is to support youth to drive Worcester’s culture and community while learning the business of art.
Youth Leaders will meet regularly with the program’s Artist Mentors and Program Coordinator to engage in trainings, workshops, and dialogues, learn from guest speakers and panels. The program will run from April through August 2021, during which time participants will organize and host a public event to showcase youth artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs from the Worcester area.
Anyone interested in applying for a Youth Leader or Artist Mentor position is encouraged to apply through the City of Worcester’s website as soon as possible, as participants will be selected on a rolling basis. Job listings for each position will be removed once filled.
The City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, @WorcCulturalCoa & @WorcesterYouth have teamed up to form ‘Create 508’: a 5-month earn-and-learn program that teaches young people the business side of creativity while driving local culture. Visit https://t.co/N3kOdvFxOM pic.twitter.com/zh0UCldyHs
— City of Worcester (@TweetWorcester) March 22, 2021
Attorney General Healey and Congressman McGovern to Fight Hunger in Worcester
On Wednesday, March 24, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern, will join volunteers to help distribute food to residents in need at the Rock of Salvation Pentecostal Church on Main St.
Healey’s office ha partnered with Project Bread, the Worcester County Food Bank, and the state’s three other regional food banks and their pantries to raise awareness about the severity of food insecurity in Massachusetts and make food assistance resources available.
Healey will then join City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. and Worcester District 4 City Councilor Sarai Rivera to visit diverse small businesses in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and recognize Worcester’s economic development efforts as it recovers from the pandemic.
Healey will meet with striking nurses outside St. Vincent Hospital later in the day on Wednesday.
New Tool to Connect Low-Income Households with Local Produce
The Department of Transitional Assistance [DTA] launched a new tool to help individuals and households who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits find open Healthy Incentives Program [HIP] farm vendor locations near them and safe shopping options: DTAFinder.com.
HIP puts up to $40 to $80 back on an Electronic Benefits Transfer [EBT] card when people use SNAP to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors.
Vendors include participating farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and community supported agriculture programs [CSAs].
DTA Finder is an interactive map that allows households to search for up-to-date HIP locations. The tool is mobile friendly and available in 5 languages, including Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Worcester Cultural Coalition’s Next Worcester Windows Project
Worcester Windows announced its next public phase on Tuesday, March 23: PULP.
PULP represents a new phase of Worcester Windows in its embrace of non-traditional definitions of art. The work on display represents Worcester’s vibrant community of alternative artists: indie comic and zine creators, tattoo artists, graffiti writers, and fashion designers.
Worcester Windows is a Worcester Cultural Coalition effort to support a walkable downtown filled with local art.
The storefront window iteration, in collaboration with local business, will remain in place until the end of Summer 2021.
Dunkin’ Launches Free Donut Wednesdays
Every Wednesday starting today — March 24 — through April 21 will be “Free Donut Wednesday” for DD Perks members.
Members can enjoy one free classic donut with the purchase of any beverage at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide. On Free Donut Wednesdays, members can enjoy favorite donut flavors like Strawberry Frosted with Sprinkles, Glazed, Boston Kreme, or Double Chocolate.
Dunkin’ is also launching a new Blueberry Pomegranate flavored Dunkin’ Refresher on Wednesday, March 24. The new Refresher is a combination of iced green tea, flavored fruit concentrate, and B vitamins.
Other refresher flavors remain on the menu, including Strawberry Dragonfruit flavored and Peach Passion Fruit flavored varieties
