The
National Council of Churches has recognized the Worcester Area Mission
Society, UCC, for its Elm Park Project.
The Council is embarking on a ten-year Poverty Mobilization, and is
holding up examples of “good works that work” in the fight against poverty.
The Elm Park Project is the first such “good work” the council has recognized.
Elm Park, the oldest public park in the country, lies between the city’s
most blighted neighborhood and its most stable. The mission society,
with support from area UCC churches, has worked with residents, businesses,
government and other organizations to help improve the area around Elm
Park. Progress has been made mainly through two programs: the Neighborhood
Leaders Fund, which paired longtime residents with new Hispanic immigrants
to undertake improvement projects; and the Community Loan Fund, which
has been used to acquire blighted properties for rehabilitation and
sale to first-time homebuyers.
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