YWCA UNVEILS HISTORIC $24 MILLION RENOVATION

The non-profit celebrated this achievement, June 23, surrounded by campaign donors, YWCA members, volunteers, city and state officials, and the Worcester community. The building dedication included a ribbon cutting, tours of the facility, and tribute to Executive Director, Linda Cavaioli, who will be retiring this July, after 29 years.

“Throughout the renovation, we had women living in our facility, and at the same time, we were operating as an emergency childcare facility in the middle of a pandemic- adding additional layers to an already complex construction project,” stated Cavaioli. “Their presence set an example for the children, highlighting what female leaders look like in a historically male industry.”

YWCA’s renovation, in partnership with Consigli Construction, made history within the City of Worcester signing the city’s first Community Benefits Agreement, CBA, in so promising an all women led construction management team, living wage jobs with benefits, and an emphasis on diversity by employing union contractors, and local women and people of color. YWCA exceeded their targeted goals set in the CBA. The results are as follows:

• 50% of all workers were Worcester residents
• 31% of all subcontractors and firms were located within 30 miles of Worcester
• 30% of all workers were people of color
• 9% of all workers were women

“Supporting the YWCA’s mission of empowering women was woven into the makeup of our diverse female management team,” stated Consigli Construction Project Executive, Jody Staruk. She continued, “Every challenge was met with thoughtful consideration of the YWCA community.”

Built in 1961, the Salem Square facility required several larger-scale enhancements and upgrades to the building’s infrastructure. After a yearlong renovation, without one day of service lost, the building now features STEM-aware childcare learning and play areas, additional transitional housing space, secure mentoring spaces, updated heating and cooling systems, and improved security throughout the building.