ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21
FORWARD
In 2020, our community saw too many doors of opportunity close. We spent 2021 opening them back up, knowing that North Central MA needed our help this year more than ever. And the only way to do that was to move forward. Forward towards a better life for our clients, their families and our community
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With needs ranging from economic insecurity and childcare to accessing mental health counseling, we made it our mission this year to heed the call to not only re-open the doors of opportunity, but open new ones.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Our work in community action is founded on identifying and filling gaps in critical services so our communities can thrive. For far too long, individuals and families across North Central Massachusetts weren't able to receive the mental health care they need.
Opening our first licensed mental health outpatient clinic is one of the greatest achievements of MOC's history - and likely one of our most worthwhile endeavors for our community. It also couldn't be more timely, as the pandemic's impact on mental health across our country became pervasive, especially for young adults, people experiencing job loss, parents and children, communities of color, and essential workers.
The Counseling Center at MOC provides a wide variety of outpatient mental health services including individual psychotherapy and medication management. All services are designed to meet clients’ individualized treatment needs through consultation, collaboration and coordination of care that respects their strengths and differences. We believe that treating the whole person is the most effective way to produce lasting change. And we are thrilled to now have behavioral health in our comprehensive service portfolio for clients.
THE COUNSELING CENTER AT MOC
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YOUTH INNOVATION CENTER WALL BREAKING
2021 brought renewed attention to the progress of the Adrian L. Ford Center for Change Youth Innovation Center. Youth Founders, joined by Senator John Cronin, State Representative Michael Kushmerek, and City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, kicked off construction at the Youth Innovation Center Wall-Breaking Ceremony. It was a welcomed step forward after the pandemic paused progress on the renovations. Designed by the Youth Founders, the Center will include a new creative maker space, multi-media studio, and performance area. The building will also house a shared-use community space to support advocacy, empowerment and policy work aimed at eliminating racial, gender and economic inequities.
Opening doors isn't only about buildings. It's about opening the doors of opportunity for everyone. This year, as part of our commitment to Be Anti-Racist, MOC moved our DEI work from awareness to action, and started from within. It was an honor to have launched MOC's first employee-driven Race Equity Committee.
The Race Equity Committee, led by MOC's Chief Equity Officer, is comprised of a diverse representation of MOC employees across programs. This group of committed staff are spearheading MOC's efforts to improve equitable opportunity, ensure accountability, and increase a sense of belonging across the agency for our staff and those we serve. By creating this space for this important work, we aim to be a leader against systemic injustices for our staff and clients, and we are proud of the Race Equity Committee's commitment to this mission.
LAUNCHING MOC'S RACE EQUITY COMMITTEE
AGENCY IMPACT
individuals received services from MOC programs to help reach their goals
14,376
9,376
families received services from MOC programs to help reach their goals
women, infants and children improved their health and nutrition through the North Central WIC program
1,225
parents were able to maintain employment, become employed, or enroll in training because their children were cared for and safe
1,225
individuals received case management and information & referrals through the Family Resource Center.
709
6,826
youth increased job skills & earnings though Summer Youth Works
youth were engaged in neighborhood-based afterschool enrichment programming
homes became more energy efficient through the Weatherization, Utility Conservation, and/or Heating System Repair/Replacement programs
homeless mothers and 118 children were moved into stable housing through Transitions at Devens
elders increased access to nutritious food and information through Elder Services
tax returns filed, totaling $165,300 in federal refunds back to the region, of which $34,311 was Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).
families increased knowledge about childhood lead safety
parents struggling with substance use disorders participated in a home visiting intervention & peer support to maintain sobriety and improve their home environments for their children
clients received counseling services at The Counseling Center at MOC
hours were volunteered by Head Start parents
individuals received case management and support from CARE AIDS programs
residents were able to remain stably housed during the pandemic through financial assistance from local, state and federal sources
residents avoided a utility shut-off during the pandemic through financial assistance from local, state and federal sources
teens participated in personal health curricula through school- and community-based programming
28
37
105
1,925
52
68
202
children improved their cognitive, social, and emotional development through Child Care & Head Start
4,713
46
POVERTY LEVEL
live at or below 100% of the federal poverty level
live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
98%
49%
OUR CLIENTS
AGE
White
Black
83.1%
8.4%
3.7%
2.0%
RACE
47%
27%
7%
19%
ETHNICITY
GENDER
under 18
18-43
44-64
65 and over
Multiracial
Asian
Other
2.0%
Native American/Alaskan
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
.5%
.3%
Hispanic
39.2%
60.8%
Non-Hispanic
1,560
132
1,246
250
173
61.9%
38.0%
Male
Female
FINANCIALS
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Making Opportunity Count serves 30 cities and towns that span the North Central Massachusetts region.
CLIENT RESIDENCY
23%
16%
9%
4%
3%
2%
43%
$23,972,793
SOURCE OF FUNDS
FEDERAL
STATE
OTHER
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60%
20%
20%
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USE OF FUNDS
$23,797,001
CHILD CARE & HEAD START
10%
19%
13%
46%
HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES
12%
ENERGY
NUTRITION
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATION