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 – Monday, January 24 – the City of Worcester seeks applicants for ARPA Ad Hoc committees, a City Archive is in the works, there are four days of free COVID-19 testing this week at Mercantile Center, the YMCA on Main Street is hosting a vaccine clinic today and a Worcester resident will be awarded the Key to the City of Worcester today for his efforts advocating for survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Worcester Seeks Applicants for ARPA Committees
City Manager Ed Augustus is calling on applicants to come forward to fill five Ad Hoc committees to determine the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funding in the community.
Members of the committees must be Worcester residents and willing to serve a three-year term.
The committees include Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Business Assistance, Community Projects/Programs, Creative Economy/Cultural Plan and Mental Health Programs.
Eligible residents interested in joining the committee can apply and find more information at worcesterma.gov/arpa by Feb. 22, 2022.
City Archive Proposed at Former Becker College Library
City Clerk Niko Vangjeli will present plans Tuesday night to the City Council for a City Archive to be located in a space at 61 Sever Street. The building is the former home of the Becker College library and the property now shares space with Clark University’s Arnold Weller Academic Center (see photo above).
Documents from city departments like the Worcester Fire Department, DPW, Parks and Recreation, Treasury and more are currently being collected and sorted by the City Clerk’s office and interns from Holy Cross.
City officials have met with museum and collector consultants, experts in digitization and a fire protection company specializing in archival spaces.
For a more detailed look at what kind of documents and other artifacts will be placed in the City Archive, click here.
Four Free COVID-19 Testing Clinics at Mercantile Center this Week
There are three free COVID-19 testing clinics at Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester this week.
Clinics are operated by UMass Memorial Health and will be held Monday to Thursday. Walk-ins are welcome.
- Monday, Jan. 24 – 11 AM to 4 PM
- Tuesday, Jan. 25 — 10 AM to 3 PM
- Wednesday, Jan. 26 — 9 AM to 12 PM
- Thursday, Jan. 27 — 10 AM to 3 PM
Vaccine Clinic Today at YMCA Central Community Branch
The YMCA Central Community Branch on Main Street in Worcester is hosting a vaccine clinic today from 11 AM to 7 PM.
No appointments are needed. Participants can receive a first dose, a second dose, or get a booster. Designated medical staff will be on site to answer any questions.
The YMCA clinic is held every Monday until further notice.
Chris Bates to Receive Key to City of Worcester at Pathways for Change
The Central Massachusetts rape crisis center, Pathways for Change, Inc., located at 588 Main Street in Worcester will host a ceremony today for Worcester resident Chris Bates as he is presented with a Key to the City by Mayor Joseph M. Petty in recognition of Bates’ ongoing advocacy efforts for all gendered survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Bates, 27, is Worcester-based sex trafficking survivor and advocate. He serves on the Massachusetts Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission and is a volunteer Sexual Assault Support Counselor at Pathways for Change.
The presentation of the Key to the City will be held at 4:30 PM.
