In addition to the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, GOLD coordinates four special programs to meet other community needs: Summer Activities for At-Risk Youth, School Supplies for Students, Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution, and Helping Hands for the Holidays. Click below to learn more about each program.
This program provides scholarships for youth in the county to attend summer camps or other enrichment activities.
Summer months can be an opportunity for children to access experiences that have a wide range of benefits. Unfortunately, the low-income families we serve are often unable to access these experiences.
For some students, the summer break presents challenges. Some challenges include limited access to healthy meals, medical attention, a structured and supervised environment, and other resources that foster well-being. Parents without resources for child care may have to work limited hours, losing vital income needed to provide for their family. Some may feel forced to leave children at home unattended.
Through this program, GOLD is able to help children in the county access these experiences.
Every year GOLD provides school supplies to children in need in the county. Each child receives a backpack filled with school and grade-specific supplies. By tailoring the supplies to the student’s needs, GOLD ensures that every child has an equal opportunity for success.
Something as simple as a new backpack can boost a student’s confidence. GOLD receives 300-500 student school supply requests from their community partners. These agents work directly with families living with low income.
Community members are encouraged to sign up to sponsor a student or donate school supplies! Help GOLD provide for students whose parents/guardians do not have the means to purchase required school supplies. Your support can help a child in need start the new school year with the tools needed to be academically successful and blend in with their peers!
Every November the Worcester County Bar Association, with donations from their members, purchase traditional Thanksgiving food items. Through their partnership with GOLD, they make sure the food goes to the families who need it.
Each household is identified as food-insecure by GOLD’s community partners. Individuals either pick up the food or have it delivered to them by their agent. This way, a lack of transportation or a complicated work schedule does not exclude anyone in need. Each household receives a frozen turkey, bag of potatoes, box of stuffing, and cans of yams, green beans, and cranberry sauce. Plenty of food for a group and enough for leftovers!
GOLD’s Helping Hands for the Holidays program provides holiday gifts for those in need in Worcester County. Since 1998, GOLD has partnered with local businesses, organizations, and individuals in our community to provide gifts, clothing, and food for Worcester County residents who need a helping hand during the holidays.
This program not only provides cheer but also helps reduce financial burdens and stress during the holidays. All requests for assistance come from agents with GOLD’s community partners on behalf of families that they serve. Eligible recipients are children and vulnerable adults residing in Worcester County. All recipients are screened to assess need and to prevent the duplication of services.
Community members are encouraged to sign up to shop for a child!