Community Involvement
The Guild of St. Agnes is proud to be actively connected with its community. We enhance our mission and quality of care every day through community partnerships.
United Way
The United Way has been a long standing supporter of the Guild. The United Way has funded many programs such as:
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Our Worcester Infant & Toddler Programs
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Our South County Behavioral Health Support Services
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Our Family Support Coordinator to address challenges such as behavioral or developmental concerns, food insecurity, housing needs, and access to community services. They connect families with resources and create individualized plans to ensure children are supported both at home and in early education settings.
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Our Family Liaison to address the increasing need of assessment and screenings for the early identification and support of children with developmental or behavioral concerns
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School Age Summer Programming including field Trips and enrichment programs in our Worcester, Devens, Fitchburg, and Gardner programs
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Support of School Age Salaries
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The Life is Good Playmaker Project, a nonprofit that provides trauma-informed training & support to early childhood professionals for our Granite Street Staff
The Guild also runs an annual workplace campaign to support the United Ways' fundraising efforts.
Worcester State University Partnership
The new University Collaborative Center located on Mill Street in Worcester, MA serves as a lab school for Worcester State University's Early Childhood Education program. Students are able to gain valuable hands-on experience, utilize observation rooms of off classrooms, and attend class session in the conference room. Several university courses are being taught within the center with plans to continue far into the future!
Life is Good Playmaker Project & Playmaker University
The Guild of St. Agnes has received a generous grant from the The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts that will allow us to bring The Life is Good Playmaker Project to our entire organization!
Our educators from across our 18 programs participated in the Playmaker University trauma‑informed certification program. From that group, 6 Playmaker Captains will be trained through a “train‑the‑trainer” model—empowering them to bring this vital approach to all 400+ Guild staff and Family Child Care educators who collectively support nearly 1,800 children every day.
The Playmaker model helps early childhood professionals build safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children impacted by adversity—something especially meaningful at the Guild, where our mission is to provide a safe nurturing environment.
One longtime Guild educator shared that the Playmaker philosophy left her feeling reenergized and inspired—a powerful reminder of how this work can transform not only children’s lives, but the lives of those who care for them.
First Responders
Our community heroes always go above and beyond when it comes to our children. We love our visits from local police departments and local fire departments! Fire departments love teaching our children about fire safety, fire trucks, and having water days with the fire trucks. Our local and state police visit to teach children about safety, being a police officer, and their many police animals and trucks!
Our Government Champions
The Massachusetts and Worcester County champions who advocate for Early Education and Care are so important to the Guild of St. Agnes.
Our Programmatic Community Funders
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United Way of Central Massachusetts
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United Way of North Central Massachusetts
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United Way of South Central Massachusetts
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Greater Worcester Community Foundation
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Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts
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Whole Kids Foundation
Woo Labs
Woo-Labs is a coalition of partners convened by Worcester Education Collaborative that provides 1,300 Worcester students with hands-on project-based learning in out-of-school time to promote their academic and social-emotional growth. Woo-labs is a network of partners advancing educational and racial equity for historically marginalized Worcester k-6 students.
This tightly woven ecosystem of community-based organizations re-conceives education as a coordinated, child-centered effort in which partners work together to maximize student achievement and remove obstacles to learning.
Leadership Worcester
The Guild of St. Agnes is proud to have two participants in the Leadership Worcester program. Leadership Worcester is a 9 month program that meets each month from September to May. Each session explores different themes relevant to the Worcester community. Leadership Worcester creates a network of thinkers and doers who are moving the region and each other forward. Participants connect with key stakeholders, learn from influential leaders, and forge relationships that help them take the next step in their leadership.
Katie Sullivan (Class of '23) & Ramon Perez (Class of '24)
Worcester Sports Teams
The Worcester Railers and WooSox have been wonderful community partners to the Guild of St. Agnes.
Both teams have hosted educators' night/teacher appreciation night.
Our very own president and CEO, Sharon MacDonald is a WooStar.
The WooSox Foundation donated tablets to our school age programs as well as a visit from Smiley, Woofster, and WooSox Ryan Fitzgerald!
The Worcester Railers named the Guild "Non-Profit of the Night" at one of the 2023 games where all chuck-a-puck proceeds went to the Guild. Teachers were offered free tickets to the game!