Office for Racial and Economic Equity

Willis Center Office for Racial and Econmic Equity is engaged in the community through organizing and advocacy initiatives. Willis Center’s community mobilization is aimed at increasing access to resources that enable disadvantaged community members to live healthy lives.

Willis Center provides leadership and support that allows our community partners to build capacity to address community needs. Willis has provided administrative assistance and served as fiscal conduit, coordinator, consultant, facilitator, and advocate. A basic description of each of the community initiatives is provided below. Check out Cyberdrum Worcester's Black Urban Village and the Black Community Calendar for additional information and to get involved in our community. 

The Worcester Opiod Overdose Prevention Coalition aims to reduce the high rate of opiod overdose in Worcester. The group includes community members ranging from medical professionals, the Department of Public Health and police to people who have or know someone with a substance addiction. The coalition researched the causes of overdose in Worcester, which showed that the Latino community is particularly highly impacted by Opiod overdoes. The results of the research were used to develop strategies and education programs to reduce Opoid overdose. Willis Center supports the coalition through our substance recovery programs and with technical assistance in cultural competency.

Black Unity is a community, grassroots coalition dedicated to making a positive difference in the Black Community by promoting spiritual and physical health, understanding, respect and inclusion through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. The coalition involves a diverse group of people who can bring information to the community and has become a hub of resources for black individuals in our community. Willis Center collaborates with Black Unity on many projects including the African American and Juneteenth Festival.

The Worcester Partnership for Racial and Health Equity was formed to raise awareness of health inequity and organize the community to work toward health equity. The coalition represents the diverse community through members including Willis Center, Department of Public Health, hospitals, health centers, community based organizations, affected community members, faith-based groups and health providers. The Partnership focuses on the causes of health inequity and strategies for sustainable change. The efforts of the Partnership have led to community assessments, a 2-day Undoing Racism workshop, a film screening, and the creation of a film about the impact of health inequity in Worcester.

Black Legacy is a community health equity project that developed from the Partnership. The group works to determine the root cause of health inequity and improve health outcomes in Worcester’s black community. Education and the academic achievement gap have been shown to be indicators of health inequity. With this knowledge, Black Legacy developed methods to close the academic achievement gap and secured funding to work within schools. Parents, schools, and caregivers are all involved in the effort to educate students, change policies, and decrease health inequity. The efforts will lead to long-term health outcome improvements. 

Worcester Violence Prevention Coalition responded to a call for action by the Chief of Police and Congressman McGovern after research showed a disproportionately high number of men of color between 18 and 25 were involved in shooting violence. The coalition challenged the city and community to determine why this was. The coalition now manages resources for funding and provides grants for grassroots organizations that provide necessary development programming for youth of color. This has resulted in an increase in job placements for youth that have historically been excluded from job opportunities. 

Social Justice Roundtable is a cross-sector coalition of individuals and organizations addressing various aspects of social justice. The coalition has identified targeted action project to advance the cause of justice. These project include youth leadership and civic engagement. They have resulted in the organization of a youth advisory council to the school superintendent and a series of civic engagement workshops providing training in local governance.