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The Winchendon CAC's Mission & Values
The Hub is a community center run by the Winchendon CAC located at 5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, MA.
The WCAC provides a comprehensive continuum of services & systems that address social determinants of health and serve over 700 people each month from primarily marginalized populations. Services and offerings include: our food pantry, Community Threads, emergency assistance, and more. Also available through the WCAC at The Hub is Community Bowling, The Sunshine Cafe, and a lively Makerspace. Explore our site to learn more about the wide array of services and ways to engage available!
At the Winchendon CAC, our mission is to foster an inclusive environment through Building Community, Working Together, and Changing Lives. We meet all people with compassion and respect, ensuring the essential needs of every family and individual are met and supporting them to define and meet their goals. We are dedicated to building a collaborative network of community members and partners to enhance the well-being of our community, envisioning a Winchendon where every individual has the opportunity and tools to thrive.
Our Journey in Numbers
40+
Years serving the community
5K
Residents served annually
80
Volunteers Engaged Annually
Plan a Visit
(The Winchendon CAC)
THE HUB
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon, MA 01475
Click on a service below to learn more.
GENERAL HOURS
Wed - Fri
Sat
10 AM - 3 PM
10 AM - 2 PM
Fri & Sat
Sun
Fri Teen Drop-in
5 PM - 9 PM
12 PM - 5 PM
3 PM - 5 PM
Nosotros hablamos espanol!
We can translate
SUNSHINE CAFE & BOWLING HOURS
Miranda Jennings
Executive Director
Miranda has had the honor to serve as the Executive Director since 2022. Her goal is to ensure that every person that visits the CAC feels welcome, dignified, and inspired to be the change they want to see in their lives and the world. ¡Si se puede!
Shaina Cunningham
Associate Director
Shaina has proudly served as the Associate Director of the Winchendon CAC since 2023. With a deep commitment to compassion and empathy, her work focuses on making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Through her role, she strives to support individuals, build strong relationships, and foster positive change within the community. Shaina is dedicated to transforming lives, one person at a time, and creating a better, more inclusive empowered environment for all.
Melinda Bowler
Administrative Assistant
Pantry Volunteer
Elizabeth Herliger
Volunteer
Looking for that perfect outfit? Elizabeth oversees the clothing and always gives a personal touch of kindness and care to find the best clothing for our members
Deb Kane
Volunteer
You can find Deb giving our delicious samples and recipes for healthy and yummy meals to cook using ingredients from the Food Pantry. She's a rockstar gardener too!
NaTalia Lahood
Volunteer
The powerhouse woman jumps in wherever help is needed from answering phones to doing marketing and social media.
Jordyn Lynds
Volunteer
Jordyn is a local farmer and HEAL Resident leader.
Gary Lusco
Volunteer
Gary never stops lending a helping hand, you can find him always fixing things at the CAC!
Carrie Hackett
Volunteer
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Margaret Huhtala
Volunteer
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Diane & Larry Corkum
Volunteer
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Bonnie Veilleux
Youth Workforce Program Coordinator
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Cohen Veilleux
Volunteer
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Winchendon CAC Staff & Volunteers
Community Advisory Board
To ensure that we remain true to the core needs of the communities we serve and stay in touch with evolving local dynamics, we have established our Community Advisory Board (CAB). The primary purpose of the CAB is to act as a bridge between the organization and the community, enabling genuine dialogue, feedback, and shared decision-making.
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John Fitzgerald
Elizabeth Herliger
Susan Kuchta
NaTalia Lahood
Jane Lapointe
Gloria Wirtz
Garret Wante
President
Susan Kuchta
Vice President
Tamarah Estes
Secretary
Brian Croteau
Treasurer
Michelle Smith
Member
Cailte Kelley
Member
Nancy Romanowski
Member
Board of Directors
“When one of us rises, we all rise” - Rupi Kaur
Creation of
See how our logo captures our essence:
HEALTH
& GROWTH
HOPE & POSSIBILITY
CHANGE
& POWER
WORK &
COLLABORATION
Creation of
See how our logo captures our essence:
Our Journey through HEAL to The Hub
The CAC is a member of the H.E.A.L. (Hope, Empower, Access, & Love) Collaborative.
We partner with local organizations, residents, and youth to address both the immediate and root causes of community issues. Through this partnership, the CAC has been able to expand our scope and impact to include financial coaching, on-site SNAP registration, an Economic Empowerment Hub, Makerspace, and Youth Leadership and Workforce programming.
Due to the organizational growth and demand in August of 2023, we purchased a larger building to create the Winchendon Community Hub, or “The Hub”. The new building is located in a previously vacant bowling alley and provides a versatile space to grow services, bringing to fruition several initiatives lacking space including The Sunshine youth Cafe, teen space, outdoor classroom, and Makerspace kitchen.
HEAL Partner organizations include: The Town of Winchedon, Growing Places, Heywood Hospital, Mount Wachusett Community College, The Health Equity Partnership, Winchendon Public Schools, The Winchendon School, Three Pyramids, The City of Gardner, HOPE, and The Wachusett Business Center.
