WORCESTER, Mass. - Rep. Jim McGovern announced Friday $3 million in federal funding to help renovate the new site of Worcester-based organization African Community Education.
What You Need To Know
- $3 million in federal funding will help African Community Education renovate its new site
- The organization recently moved to a Gage Street building which used to house Seven Hills Charter School.
- The renovations will allow additional programming and resources for new immigrants and refugees
- ACE will soon start a new fundraising effort to help cover the remaining cost of the overhaul
Since launching in 2006, ACE has had to relocate several times to different schools and office buildings throughout the city. The organization's new home on Gage Street at the former site of Seven Hills Charter School is part of a plan for stability in the future, and Executive Director Kaska Yawo said it's been a long time coming.
"Today, here we are," Yawo said. "It's a blessing, it is a fulfillment of consistency and commitment to your vision."
The facility will be renovated over the coming years as part of a multi-million dollar project paid for partially by the federal funding. Yawo said more money will still need to be raised for the project, but believes the future is now bright for the organization and the immigrants and refugees they serve.
"This is all about community building, and then making the community stronger and bringing people together as they enter this country," Yawo said. "I know myself, I came as a refugee. It was not an easy thing to come to this country."
The money comes from a spending package passed by Congress in December. McGovern said it's a much-needed overhaul, particularly at a time when growing inequity and the cost of living has made life more challenging for immigrants and refugees living below the poverty line.
"There's a lot going on in this world that can cause us to despair, but today we can celebrate because this is a big deal," McGovern said. "It's a big deal because of all of us in the community coming together and making this a reality."
Classrooms at the new site will host new K-4 early education, STEM programs and more. People will also be able to learn new career skills and get connected with resources in the community.
When it's all finished, the site will aim to help all who use it reach new heights.
"Today, having acquired this building will spark different levels of how we, Africans, dream and hope," said Jermoh Kamara of the Worcester School Committee.
Other details on the project are still in the works. ACE is currently working to get feedback from the Worcester Community before launching a new fundraising campaign.
