On Friday, October 11th, nearly 200 passionate members of The Caring Force gathered at Clark University for the fifth and final regional Caring Force Rally of the year. The Central Massachusetts Caring Force Rally was organized by Advocates, Inc., AIDS Project Worcester, Center for Living and Working, CENTRO, Community Resources for Justice, Justice Resource Institute, Key Program, Inc., Open Sky Community Services, Pathways for Change, Pernet Family Health Services, Seven Hills Foundation, Venture Community Services.
The theme of the rally was “Heroes in Human Services: Thanking Legislators and Workforce,” and was a perfect way to cap off the rallies for the year, celebrating the dedication and resilience of those who work tirelessly to support our communities while acknowledging the critical role legislators play in championing policies that uplift the human services sector.
Ken Bates, President and CEO of Open Sky Community Services, brought enthusiasm and energetic anecdotes as the event’s MC. Joseph M. Corazzini, VP of Government and Community Affairs at Clark University, welcomed The Caring Force to the university and shared his appreciation of the human services sector.
We had two wonderful speakers share their human services story, reminding everyone of the sector’s vital importance. First, we heard from Eric Stout, a peer-support specialist at the Living Room: a 24-hour crisis alternative to emergency department visits and hospitalization in Framingham, run by Advocates, Inc.
Eric shared his story of resilience and compassion, and how his own personal struggles motivate him to support others every day. He explained that “The Living Room is one place that provides that vital connection. Here, people can walk in without needing a referral, an assessment, or even insurance. They are greeted as individuals by people who genuinely care. As we sit down and share our stories, they often discover they are not alone in their challenges.”
Nancy Garr-Colzie then shared her experience as a person served by the Center for Living and Working. She discussed living with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and emphasized how human service workers, especially her Personal Care Assistant (PCA), who is also her daughter, are essential to her daily life.
She stated “This [PCA] job is not easy or glamorous. But it is essential to me. My daughter, and thousands of human services workers across the state, deserve a livable wage to support themselves. I’ve lost PCAs to better paying jobs; I know it isn’t personal; they simply couldn’t live on the wages they were being paid. I want to thank the legislators who are here today for your support of the human services sector. I hope my story encourages you to continue to advocate for more funding as these services are invaluable to myself and many others across the state.”
State Senator Michael Moore, (Second Worcester), delivered a powerful message of support for the sector. He emphasized the critical role human service workers play as his connection to the broader human services community, and ultimately, his constituents, and pledged to continue the legislative fight for better wages, student loan repayments and resources.
The rally closed out with a Q&A session with legislators, including State Representatives Natalie Higgins, Joe McKenna, John Marsi, David Laboeuf and Donnie Berthiaume. When asked about what they would tell young people entering the human services sector, each emphasized the importance of self-care, while underscoring their own responsibility to ensure there are resources available for workers to do so.
These stories serve as powerful reminders that the work of human services professionals goes beyond a job—it is a lifeline for countless individuals.
The rally ended with lots of smiles and photos being snapped (Check some out below!): a great way to remember this spirited gathering.
Our next rally will happen in the spring at the Massachusetts State House. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep fighting for the future of human services!
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