More Ways to Engage!

Community engagement wears many hats...Connecting with and enjoying our local community might look like volunteering with a nonprofit but it might also look like running a 5K, enjoying a play in the park, sharing a meal, making a donation, stopping by a festival, or building a playground. Find what fits for you! We'll help get you started by highlighting a few opportunities below!

Also, bookmark the Worcester Cultural Coalition's  (https://worcesterculture.org/calendar-of-events/)  and Discover Central MA's (https://www.discovercentralma.org/see-do/events/) Calendar of Events...so much to do in the Woo!

Help with City Planning

Worcester Now | Next

Worcester Now | Next is an eighteen-month-long citywide planning process that will engage the community in exploring issues such as such as land use, housing, economic opportunity, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, and transportation and mobility, among others. The project will generate a long-range plan that knits past, present, and future initiatives covering the entire city, from downtown to its dozens of neighborhoods. The plan will provide a coordinated roadmap for the future development and evolution of the city and will establish a framework for more detailed studies down the road, but is not meant to be a granular study of every issue.

Volunteer with Community Harvest Project
Individuals are welcome to volunteer during “Drop In” hours at our Grafton Location Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to Noon, May through September, and from Monday through Friday until the end of October. Visit https://community-harvest.org/volunteer/ to learn more

Or, join your colleagues for the Employee Volunteer Program's October 14th apple picking adventure. Contact Sue Hunt for more details!

32nd Annual Rodman Ride for Kids

Ride, walk, run, swim, read - or whatever activity you choose and support BBBS!
9/24/2022

Foxborough, MA
Join team Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest in the Rodman Ride for Kids! Not a bike rider? Not a problem! Choose your own adventure and walk, run, swim, dance, read, cook - or whatever activity you choose! Learn more and register here

13th Annual Abby's House Hybrid 5K Run/Walk

October 15 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Join us for the 13th Annual Abby’s House Hybrid 5K Run/Walk to make an impact on the lives of women and children experiencing homelessness.

This year’s event is again both virtual and in-person, allowing you to participate in whatever way feels best for you! The in-person course has gentle rolling hills and scenic views around the Wachusett Reservoir. The event will take place virtually from Saturday October 8th – Saturday October 15th, with the in-person race starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15th at West Boylston Middle/High School!

Register Now at abbyshouse.racewire.com All proceeds raised benefit the women and children of Abby’s House.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk!

Last year HOPE for Worcester participated and partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and joined together in Worcester to walk in unity with hope that the best is yet to come. Please join us  Saturday, September 17th now at POLAR PARK and register to volunteer with Hope for Worcester. Link: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=302279

Holy Cross Football vs. Bucknell Football @ Polar Park

Saturday, October 8, 2022 4:00 pm Kickoff     2:00 pm Gates

Two outstanding Worcester institutions are partnering for the EBW Classic. Learn more at https://www.polarpark.com/ebwclassic

Calling All Artists!

The Worcester Public Library seeks submissions for a new design for their cards.  Submit by 9/30/22

Card Design Contest  Artists of all ages are invited to enter WPL’s Library Card Design Contest! To learn more, visit https://www.mywpl.org/?q=article/card-design-contest

Help Ascentria Care Alliance Welcome Afghan Refugees to MA

Ascentria Care Alliance is working to welcome and assist Afghan families who have fled the Taliban and seek to rebuild their lives here in Massachusetts. Many of you have asked how you can help, so we wanted to alert you to the following opportunities. As Ascentria plans to receive a significant number of Afghan evacuees sometime in the middle of October, they shared that housing and household items are among their most critical needs.

If you would like to help set up homes for Afghan evacuees, please visit Ascentria's Amazon Wish List and select an item that you would like to donate.

You can also donate to Ascentria's Help an Afghan Families fund to assist with housing, legal assistance, and living essentials.

As we continue to work with Ascentria we will post additional opportunities and updates on the MyHC's Community Engagement website for your reference. If you have specific questions, please send us an email.

On Campus Donation Box!

The Holy Cross community can donate used, unwanted clothing and household goods to Hartsprings Foundation via an on-campus collection bin behind Alumni Hall.

Founded in 1997, Hartsprings Foundation “collects used, unwanted clothing and small household items on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs in Massachusetts and Connecticut.” Savers thrift stores purchase the donated goods from Hartsprings Foundation, providing revenue to financially support six Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program locations.

Participation is easy. Simply bag any donations and place the bags into the designated bin 24/7.

Items Accepted:

  • All cloth items
  • Clothing (All sizes, styles, ages, and genders)
  • Bedding and Draperies (No bed pillows)
  • Shoes
  • Small appliances
  • Electronics
  • Kitchenware
  • Household goods
  • Sporting goods
  • Toys
  • Books (No encyclopedias, textbooks, or library books)

Learn More