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Community
At Worcester Common Ground, our involvement in the community goes beyond projects; it’s a commitment to nurturing the very essence of neighborhood vitality. Through collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication, we actively engage with residents, local businesses, and organizations, creating a network of support and shared purpose. Our initiatives, whether they involve transforming vacant spaces into vibrant community gardens or facilitating educational programs for youth, are designed to inspire, educate, and empower.
We believe that a thriving community is built on strong relationships and active participation. By fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect, we encourage dialogue and cooperation among community members. We strive to amplify voices that often go unheard, ensuring that everyone has a stake in the collective progress.
Our approach is holistic; we not only address immediate needs but also work toward sustainable, long-term solutions. By promoting economic development, advocating for affordable housing, and providing spaces for recreation and learning, we aim to create an environment where every individual can flourish.
Join us in this transformative journey. Together, we can build a community where empathy, opportunity, and shared prosperity form the foundation of a brighter tomorrow. At Worcester Common Ground, community engagement isn’t just a statement; it’s a way of life, and we invite you to be a part of it.
7 Jaques Avenue Bio-Shelter
Located at 7 Jaques Ave, the Bioshelter is a self-sustaining growing space, meaning it can heat, cool, add or remove humidity, generate its own electricity, and collect rainwater. Previously, this land was used as a footpath and dumping ground. Due to this area being a large source of neighborhood frustration, WCG transformed this vacant lot into an urban orchard and community garden space. Equipped with the bioshelter and compost, this site provides neighbors, residents, and students from the nearby Chandler Elementary school with access to the possibility of year-round healthy food, as well as educational and social opportunities for connecting with food systems and the community. The green space surrounding the bioshelter consists of 20 raised beds, on-site compost, 19 fruit trees with 5 types of fruit, and a rainwater collection system.
126 Chandler Street Greenhouse
Our rooftop greenhouse located at 126 Chandler Street is equipped with hydroponic growing systems to replicate many of the same ideas that will come to life in our bioshelter. A hydroponic system uses water and added nutrients as the growing medium, instead of soil. With this, we can avoid using pesticides and it provides food access for our residents and community members year round. Our greenhouse will be open to all residents of our 126 Chandler Street building, and can provide an area for educational and community-oriented activities based on sustainable food systems.
Community Gardens
Our public park located at 22 Newbury Street consists of 5 raised beds maintained by local residents, and a pavilion built by members of YouthBuild. This area provides the perfect environment for community activities like cookouts and parties.
The community garden located at 8 Preston Street is sustained by residents of the area, and crops that are typically seen thriving are corn, mint, and garlic.
One of the biggest green spaces we have can be found on 7-9 Oread Street, decorated with art made by partners of Main South TDI. Several local garden volunteers maintain this land in the summer and cultivate a numerous amount of vegetables and herbs.
Our public playground, known as the Tot Lot, is located on 122 Austin Street and is home to a colorful playscape and a mosaic wall created by children from the neighborhood.
King Community Center
In 2022 we were one of 100 projects chosen for the Lowe’s Hometowns Grant which gave us the ability to turn our newly built community center into a fun and welcoming space for our residents and the greater community. The King Community Center is a hub for community events, meetings, students, celebrations and more. This space features a main sitting area, a large conference table for meetings, a handicapped accessible kitchen, and a kid’s corner equipped for play and studying. Our monthly PACT community meetings are also held here and residents love using the space for birthday parties and gatherings.
The King Community Center was dedicated to Mr. Leon King and his wife Glorre June King for their compassionate and dedicated work in the local and greater community of Worcester. This space embodies their care and desire to uplift the community and continues their legacy of rebuilding the neighborhood.
Pleasant Street TDI
Worcester Common Ground is an active partner to the Pleasant Street TDI through MassDevelopment. TDI districts are eligible to receive enhanced technical assistance, small business grants, strategic real estate investments and additional staff capacity to support visions for redevelopment and to stimulate economic activity in concentrated, disinvested areas. In 2022, the Pleasant Street area was chosen as Worcester’s third TDI district. Ivette Olmeda was assigned as Lead Fellow to spur economic activity alongside partners active in the neighborhood to help them achieve their goals. We assist in the vision and implementation of partners’ goals for the neighborhood, ranging from small business support to rehabilitation of storefronts. WCG support also includes the organization of events, programming, and initiatives for the Pleasant Street area, as well as the review of grant applications.
Dismas Veggies
Each year, our partnership with Dismas Family Farm gets better and more local Worcester residents receive fresh, organic vegetables direct to their door. Thanks to the generous grant from Project Bread, WCG tenants are able to participate in the CSA, from June to October, at no cost. This program transforms our existing food systems in Worcester, alleviates high food costs, breaks down the transportation barriers that make it inaccessible to buy fresh produce, connects residents to local farmers and promotes diversifying our diets through a wide range of common and specialty produce. Along with each week’s box participants received tailored recipes that included the current vegetables, how to use them in familiar ways or try something new from varying cultures, and how to make the most of extra produce through dehydrating herbs, making spices, pickling or freezing.
Trinity Basketball
Worcester Common Ground, in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church, has been running the Trinity Lutheran Basketball League for the better part of ten years. Players from Chandler Elementary, Woodland Academy, the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center, and other local schools were able to come together to play basketball. Thanks to the volunteers from the church and local colleges and high schools, coaches and players from the schools, and funds from the District Attorney, we were able to provide shirts, breakfast, trophies, and medals to participants at no cost. This league gives the kids of our community the chance to come together in a fun and competitive way to play the game they love. Finally, in 2023, we were able to organize the league again after a three year hiatus due to the pandemic.
PACT
We are proud to be an active participant in the Pleasant Area Community Team (PACT), a vibrant network where neighborhood residents, city officials, and local organizations converge monthly. PACT serves as a crucial platform for open dialogue, enabling us to address pressing neighborhood concerns collaboratively. Together, we discuss community engagement opportunities, share insights on problematic properties, and strategize on crime prevention initiatives. By fostering this strong alliance, we reinforce the bonds that make our neighborhood a safe, supportive, and thriving space for all. Join us in the conversation; together, we shape a brighter future for our community.
