youth – Worcester Community Project Center

June 22, 2021August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Women’s Initiative of the United Way: Dollar Scholar engagement

We worked with the Women’s Initiative of the United Way to enhance their online financial literacy program, Dollar $cholar. This program aims to help empower young women through financial education. A lack of financial literacy training can lead to economic dependence. This financial literacy discrepancy is particularly prevalent amongst women, leading to an increase in…

May 20, 2020August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Main IDEA: Assessing the Need for Accessible Youth Arts Programs in Main South

Project Sponsor: Main IDEA Main IDEA is a nonprofit Youth & Arts organization that offers free arts programming to youth ages 6-17 in Worcester, MA, with a priority given to residents of the Main South neighborhood. with a focus on empowerment and intrinsic motivation. These arts programs include not only visual art, but also music,…

March 27, 2020August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC): Identifying a Work Plan for Creating a Database and Online Platform for Youth Job Opportunities in Worcester

Project Sponsor: Worcester Community Action Council The WCAC serves more than 75,000 people in Worcester and 45 surrounding communities. They offer a variety of safety-net and economic self-sufficiency programs such as fuel assistance and energy services, Early Head Start and Head Start, pregnant and parenting teen services, work readiness, financial capability, emergency food assistance, and…

March 1, 2019August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Mechanics Hall: Renovation Revival

Project Sponsor: Mechanics Hall Mechanics Hall is a world-renown concert hall and recording venue build in 1857 by the Worcester County Mechanics Association. Originally constructed as a hall to demonstrate the technological achievements of local Worcester tradesmen, Mechanics Hall has garnered fame around the world as a premier concert venue. More information about Mechanics Hall…

April 28, 2018August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester: Developing a STEAM Strategy

The goal of this project was to help the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester (BGCW or Club) implement a sustainable after-school STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) program. Using the Everything STEM Planning Guide created by the Boys & Girls Club of America, we completed a STEM Readiness Pre-Assessment, STEM Improvement Plan, and…

February 28, 2018August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

The CASA Project: Future CASA Training Program Options

During our Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) we worked in collaboration with The CASA Project to assess options for moving their training program online. Specifically, we focused on providing recommendations of the top e-Learning platforms that would suit their needs and the options for moving the training online. Project Sponsor: The CASA Project The CASA Project is…

January 12, 2018August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Creative Hub Worcester: Art for Main South

Project Sponsor: Creative Hub Worcester Creative Hub Worcester’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible opportunities in the arts for all Worcester area community members, with a focus on at-risk and under served youth. Creative Hub will be located in the former Boys and Girls Club located at 2 Ionic Avenue in Worcester. The nonprofit organization…

May 18, 2017August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Seven Hills Pediatric Center: Implementing a Sensory Garden for Multi-Sensory Cognitive Development

Welcome to our Implementing A Sensory Garden team page. Our Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) involved our team to develop an interactive outdoor environment for the residents at Seven Hills Pediatric Center (SHPC). Working in collaboration with the staff of SHPC, we used a human-centered design approach to identify the needs of residents, and design features and…

March 16, 2017August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

YMCA of Central Massachusetts: Communication at the YMCA

PROJECT SPONSOR The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), originally founded in 1844, is a worldwide nonprofit organizationwhich meets the needs of the community through programs and services. The YMCA now has many branches scattered throughout the world that continue to aid in building the foundations of the community. The Central Community Branch in Worcester, MA…

February 7, 2017August 2, 2021 by Laura Roberts

Habitat for Humanity (HfH): Increasing Youth Involvement

Welcome to the webpage of the Habitat for Humanity 2017 IQP. For our interactive qualifying project, our team worked in collaboration with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate of the MetroWest/Greater Worcester area under the direction of the local volunteer coordinator – Molly Pietrantonio. Our research was oriented around discovering the interests and motivations of local…