United Way of Central Massachusetts Celebrates a Year of Community Resilience at Annual Community Celebration
United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) brought together community leaders, partners, and volunteers for its Annual Community Celebration, highlighting a year of impact centered on community resilience, one of the organization’s four core focus areas.
The event began with a hands-on Community Impact Service Project, where attendees assembled 500 backpacks for teens participating in YouthConnect Summer Nights, a program that provides local youth with workforce exposure, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities across 6 non-profit Worcester organizations. Guests also contributed new and gently used professional attire to support individuals served by Open Sky Community Services, helping young adults and adults enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence and dignity.
“Today was about more than celebration, it was about action,” said Tim Garvin, President and CEO of UWCM. “From building backpacks to supporting workforce readiness, our community continues to show that when we come together, we can respond to urgent needs while building long-term stability.”
The program reflected on a year in which UWCM intentionally focused on strengthening community resilience in the face of rising costs, food insecurity, and the impact of SNAP benefit reductions. Through the creation of the United Response Fund, UWCM mobilized partners and resources to invest more than $1.3 million in support of families across Central Massachusetts.
Another highlight of the event was a keynote address from Bill Wallace, recipient of the 2026 Orville Harold Award. Wallace, who recently retired after 50 years of service at the Worcester Museum shared reflections on a lifetime of philanthropy, civic engagement, and community leadership.
UWCM also recognized several individuals and organizations whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact:
Alexis de Tocqueville Award: Dan Mastrototaro of The Hanover Insurance Group, for inspiring community through leadership and philanthropy
Orville Harold Award: Bill Wallace, for a legacy of leadership with humor, action, and resolve
Francis Wisebart Jacobs Award: Dr. Matilde Castiel, City of Worcester retiree, for a life-time of advancing community health and equity
Labor Services Community Hero Award: Joe Carlson of Central MA Labor Council for outstanding personal commitment to community
Stoddard Small Business Award: Lamoureaux Pagano Associates, Architects, for strong community impact and community leadership
Stoddard Large Business Award: National Grid Corporation & Foundation, for sustained partnership and continued investment in Utility Assistance for vulnerable residents
Ted Coghlin Community Service Awards:
Casey Burns, Coalition for Healthy Greater Worcester
Casey Starr, Worcester Public Schools
Worcester Community Action Council
The Ted Coghlin Award recipients were honored for their collective leadership during the SNAP crisis, ensuring that vulnerable residents across the region had access to food through coordinated, community-wide efforts.
As the community looks ahead, United Way encourages continued support of programs like YouthConnect, which provide critical opportunities for local teens to gain skills, confidence, and pathways to future success. Community members can support this work year-round by making a donation to United Way of Central Massachusetts, helping to expand access to programs and resources that empower young people and strengthen the community as a whole. Support YouthConnect here: United Way of Central Massachusetts
“Our work this year reinforced a simple truth, resilience is built together,” said Dan Mastrototaro, who will conclude his two-year term as Board Chair in June. “When organizations, businesses, and individuals align around shared goals, we can meet urgent needs while strengthening our community for the future.”
UWCM also recognized a leadership transition, welcoming Beth Helenius as incoming Board Chair, continuing the organization’s commitment to collaborative leadership.
The Annual Community Celebration underscored UWCM’s guiding message: United is the way to build community resilience, through partnership, action, and a shared commitment to ensuring all residents of Central Massachusetts have the opportunity to thrive.
About YouthConnect
YouthConnect is a coalition of Worcester youth-serving organizations working together to expand opportunities for young people ages 12–26 through workforce development, leadership training, mentoring, and enrichment programming. Partners include the YWCA Central Massachusetts, Worcester Youth Center, YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Girls Inc. of Worcester, Friendly House, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, and coordinating partner United Way of Central Massachusetts.
By: Lynn Cheney, VP of Communications, UWCM