Program Overview
The program begins with an overnight retreat in September and continues one Thursday per month, October to May, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Below is a sampling of what the curriculum has included.
Opening Retreat
In the overnight retreat you will get to know one another and learn more about the program. Past sessions have included:
Q&A with the City Manager.
Tour of Worcester Historical Museum with Executive Director William Wallace
Guided city bus tour with the Chamber of Commerce and Regional Research Bureau
K-12 Education
Get prepared with a clear overview of the Worcester Public Schools’ opportunities and challenges. Past sessions have included:
Tour some of our public schools: Worcester Technical High School, Burncoat, Rice Square, Belmont Community, City View and more!
Hear from leaders, policy experts and parents on how the design of the new strategic plan
Learn what it takes to balance the Worcester Public Schools budget with Brian Allen, CFO
Participate in the Principal for a Day program
Perceptions of Safety
Learn more about the work being done to ensure a safety net that works for all of us. Past sessions have included:
Q&A with Worcester’s Chief of Police Steven Sargent
Conversation with the Worcester County House of Corrections
Eat lunch with Cafe Reyes!
Learn about neighborhood development and public space activation at the Main South CDC
Hear from community leaders like Nicole Bell from LIFT, Ron Waddell from Legendary Legacies and more
Government
All government is local. Learn how local, state and federal all connect in Worcester against the backdrop of beautiful, historical locations. Past sessions have included:
Q&A with Kathleen Polanowicz from the Office of Congressman McGovern
Conversation with Senator Harriett Chandler
Historical tour of City Hall with City Councilor Moe Bergman
Tour the U.S. District Court
Economic Development
What is economic development? Learn more about the history and future of Worcester’s diverse industries and how we are working to grow economic prosperity for all. Past sessions have included:
A slew of entrepreneurs, featuring Paul Wengender, CEO of Greater Good Brewing Co., Ryan Canuel of Petricore Inc, Steve Rothschild of Ivy Corset and Stacey Chin of Hydroglyde
Tour Table Talk Pies with President Harry Kokkinis
Bo Menkiti, CEO of The Menkiti Group
Arts & Culture
What’s current and exciting? What are the possibilities? How do we support our creative community? Past sessions have included:
Tours of American Antiquarian Society, Sprinkler Factory, Technocopia, and Acoustic Java Roastery
Hear from City’s Cultural Development Office & Discover Central MA
Jessica Walsh, Owner of Worcester Wares, Worcester Walls
Creating space for creative community with Creative Hub, Pride Worcester, Poet’s Cauldren and more
Public Health
“If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything”. Examine the ways in which we are improving access and addressing socio-economic determinants of health. Past sessions have included:
Panel of health experts including David Seltz, Dr. Eric Dickson, Richard Burke and Abigail Averbach
City perspectives with Dr. Mattie Castiel, Dr. Sarai Rivera, David Fort and Dr. Laurie Ross
Tours of Family Health Center and House of Corrections
Urban Sustainability
What are the assets and challenges of our urban environment? How are we working to offer a sound quality of life rooted in sustainable infastructure? Past sessions have included:
Tour of waterways from the reservoir barn and water filtration plant to the underground waterways
Explore sustainable transportation with Walk Bike Worcester, Worcester Regional Transit Authority and more
Tours of our community’s expansive green spaces like Beaver Brook Park, Newton Hill and Green Hill Park
Behind the scenes tour at the EcoTarium
Stand on top of the municipal solar farm and hear about the Green Worcester Plan
Food Insecurity
What are some systemic issues getting in the way of equitable access to food? Learn about food deserts and anti-hunger policy. Past sessions have included:
Tour of the Worcester County Food Bank, REC gardens
Conversations about grassroots efforts from community members
