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 – Tuesday, August 24 – donate to sponsor Ricky Duran’s walk for suicide prevention in Worcester, sign up to have the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation pick up donations in Worcester on Wednesday, Quinsigamond Community College at Southbridge names its site leader, Massachusetts ranked the 10th best state for women’s equality and gas prices drop one cent in Massachusetts this week.
Sponsor Ricky Duran’s Walk for Suicide Prevention
Ricky Duran has teamed up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help spread awareness of smart mental health practices.
Duran is taking part in 2021 Worcester Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, Sept.18, which begins in Institute Park.
To donate and sponsor Duran in the walk, visit his donation page on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website.
Big Brother Big Sister Truck in Worcester on Wednesday
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation is a foundation which supports the Big Brother Big Sister mentorship program for young people across the county, which was founded in 1904.
The Foundation has a truck in Worcester on Wednesday and is accepting used clothing, shoes and housewares donations.
Interested donors and find the list of acceptable items, instruction, and schedule a pickup appointment on the Foundation’s website.
QCC Names its Leader at Southbridge Satellite Location
Quinsigamond Community College at Southbridge name Geraldo Maldonado, a QCC adjunct faculty member and alumnus, as its new site leader.
QCC at Southbridge offers Southbridge High School students its Early College Program and local residents college academic and workforce development offerings.
Maldonado moved from Puerto Rico to Lowell when he was six years old, with his mother. They moved to Worcester when he was nine years old. Maldonado’s mother took English classes at QCC and earned her GED.
Maldonado took classes at QCC and earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration. He went on to a Bachelor’s Degree from Worcester State University and a Master of Business Administration from Anna Maria College.
Maldonado’s two daughters are also QCC alumnae.
Massachusetts the 10th Best State for Women’s Equality
A new study to determine where women receive the most equal treatment in American society compared all 50 states across 17 key metrics to determine the best state for women’s equality.
The study found Massachusetts is the 2021 10th best state for women’s equality.
The key metrics that contributed to the Massachusetts Rating (1=best state)
- 1st – Job Security Disparity
- 1st – Educational Attainment Gap (among Advanced Degree Holders)
- 3rd – Earnings Gap
- 9th – Political Representation Gap
- 12th – Minimum-Wage Workers Gap
- 48th – Executive Positions Gap
Here is how Massachusetts compared to other states in and around New England:
- 3rd – Vermont
- 4th – Maine
- 5th – New York
- 10th – Massachusetts
- 21st – Connecticut
- 23rd – Rhode Island
- 32nd – New Hampshire
- 33rd – Pennsylvania
- 36th – New Jersey
See the video below to find which states ranks best and worst for women’s equality according to the study.
For more information about the study and its methodology, see WalletHub.com.
Gas Prices Down One Cent This Week in MA
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is down one cent since last week, averaging $3.04 per gallon. That price is two cents higher than a month ago ($3.02), and 92 cents higher than August 23, 2020 ($2.12).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 12 cents lower than the national average.
AAA Northeast’s August 23 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be four cents higher than last week, averaging $3.16 a gallon. Today’s national average price is one cents higher than a month ago ($3.15), and 98 cents higher than this day last year ($2.18).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
Lead image: Ricky Duran/@charlezfair
