Ascentria Care Alliance Earns National Reaccreditation

Wednesday, December 21, 2016
GoLocalWorcester News Team

Ascentria Care Alliance achieved national reaccreditation through the New York-based Council of Accreditation. 

“Earning COA reaccreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality service and care to our clients and to each other. COA sets the bar high. We are extremely pleased and proud of all of our staff for achieving this important designation,” stated Angela Bovill, Ascentria president, and CEO. 

COA accreditation is an objective, independent and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. 

COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement. 

Receiving Accreditation 

To achieve COA reaccreditation, Ascentria first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. Following that, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with trustees, staff, and clients. 

Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Ascentria Care Alliance had successfully met the criteria for reaccreditation. 

Ascentria Care 

Ascentria has program offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. It is one of the largest human service organizations in New England assisting children, youth and families; persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness and deafness; those who are economically disadvantaged; refugees, including unaccompanied minors; and older adults and the elderly. 

  • Salvation Army

    The Salvation Army’s traditional red kettle is an integral part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. Donations provide and financial assistance provides Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need including families of prisoners. Simply make a donation wherever you see their trademark red kettle or do so online by clicking here.

     

  • Goodwill

    Goodwill Mass accepts donations of men's, women's or children's clothing and other textiles. Some of the clothing donations are provided to our clients who may need an outfit for an interview or a one week supply of clothing for a new job. Most is sold to neighboring Goodwills, or as salvage with all revenues raised going back into programs and services for Rhode islanders.

    You may drop off your old clothing at one of the many clothing donation bins throughout the state or at the drop-box located in 25 Park Avenue, Worcester.

    Click here for more information.

     

  • Operation Homefront

    Formed in 2002, Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization developed to support military families. On December 14, Operation Homefront will host a “Holiday Toys for Military Kids” event in Wellesly Hills, Taunton, and Springfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Toys are limited and are on a first come, first serve registration process. Once your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email. Please note that this program is for military dependent children only.

     

  • African Community Education Program

    Donate non-perishable food items such as rice, beans, and canned vegetables for Thanksgiving distribution by November 21. Donate new or gently used winter clothing such as boots, hats, scarves, and coats to be distributed to ACE families during the holiday season. Donations accepted November – January.

    Contact: Amy Connery (508) 799-3653

     

  • AIDS Project Worcester

    Donate gift cards, new toys, and new clothes; personal care items such as soap, shampoo, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, and disposable diapers; and canned goods for December holiday food baskets.

    Contact: Patricia Price (508) 755-3773

     

  • Alternatives Unlimited

    Donate tickets to sporting events, theatres, and movies; specialty food items, health and beauty items; kitchen essentials; gift baskets; and gift certificates to grocery stores, pharmacies, and department stores.

    Contact: Sandra Marquis (508) 266-6517

     

  • Auburn Youth and Family Services

    Donate new toys, games, and books for children of all ages; grocery store gift cards for holiday food baskets; gifts for teens such as movie passes, music, gaming gift cards, and personal care items; and gift cards to clothing and shoe stores to purchase gifts for children and teens. Adopt a family and provide gifts for Christmas. Call for details.

    Contact: Sheryl Spafford (508) 832-5707 ext. 10

     

  • Big Brother Big Sisters Central MA

    Donate gift cards to local grocery and discount stores; board games; craft supplies; sports equipment and balls; and other small gift items suitable for children.

    Contact: Melanie Perreault (508) 752-7868 ext. 14

     

  • Boys and Girls Club of Worcester

    Donate holiday gifts for children ages 5 – 18 including gift cards for teens to purchase items such as movies, music, and clothing; grocery store gift cards to purchase holiday meals for families in need; and wrapping paper and supplies such as bows and cards. Adopt a family for the holidays and provide gifts. Call for details.

    Contact: Liz Hamilton (508) 754-2686

     

  • Burncoat Family Center

    Donate new toys, books, clothes, outerwear, boots, and gift cards for boys and girls ages 4 – 18; gift certificates for movies, bowling, and other activities; non-religious holiday decorations and gift-wrap; and food for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

    Contact: Anna Berin (508) 853-6988

     

  • Catholic Charities

    Donate new winter coats, gloves, mittens, and hats for adults and children; gift cards to pharmacies, grocery stores, and discount retail stores; and non-perishable food donations.

    Contact: Cynthia Taberner (508) 860-2206

     

  • Central MA Housing Alliance

    Donate gifts for homeless children of all ages and new household items for more than 80 homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores. Gifts for teens especially needed.

    Contact: Katherine Kerr (508) 791-7265

     

  • Children's Friend Inc

    Donate gift cards for discount and grocery stores that will be distributed to needy families during the holiday season to be used for food, clothes, and gifts.

    Contact: Karen Ludington (508) 459-6424

     

  • Community Healthlink - Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Program

    Donate winter hats and gloves and gift cards to discount stores, grocery stores, and fast food restaurants.

    Contact: Brian Bickford (508) 860-1139

     

  • Community Healthlink - Victim Services

    Donate new coats, hats, gloves, and mittens for children, adolescents, and adults of all sizes. Donate new board games and gift cards in denominations of $10 – $25.

    Contact: Amanda Atchue (508) 421-4501

     

  • Dare Family Services

    Donate toys and other items for children ages 10 – 18. Items for teens especially needed.

    Contact: Armida Martinez

    (508) 755-7100

     

  • Dismas House

    Donate gift cards for male residents: sheets and blankets, toiletries, hats, gloves, and pajamas.

    Contact: David McMahon

    (508) 799-9389

     

  • Family Health Center of Worcester

    Donate new items for newborns and mothers in need: baby blankets, toiletries, newborn undergarments, socks, bibs, infant equipment such as car seats, new maternity clothes, and gift cards for discount and grocery stores. Donate new items for immigrants/refugees such as gloves and mittens, hats, scarves, and home first aid kits. Donate new household items for homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dishes.

    Contact: Georgianna Sgariglia

    (508) 860-7951

     

  • Elder Services of Worcester

    Donate small toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to be used as gifts for Meals on Wheels recipients.

    Contact: Julia Martiros

    (508) 852-3205

     

  • Family Success Partnership

    Donate gift cards to grocery stores to purchase items for a holiday meal; gift cards to discount stores; and children’s winter clothing including gloves, socks, and small-sized winter coats.

    Contact: Courtney Hale

    (774) 245-5416

     

  • Frances Perkins and Foundations

    Donate educational toys for children ages 1 – 12; gift cards and gift certificates; and household items such as bedding, pots and pans; personal hygiene products, and diapers.

    Contact: Ivonne Suarez

    (508) 757-7506

     

  • YWCA of Central MA

    Donate coats for women, children, and teens; hats and gloves; books for all ages, journals, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores.

    Contact: Amarely Gutierrez

    (508) 755-5371 ext. 3014

     

  • Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital

    Donate men’s and women’s clothing in all sizes (especially XL and plus sizes) such as sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans, underwear, and t-shirts; toiletries such as hairbrushes, makeup, shampoo, body wash, and lotion; inexpensive male and female jewelry items such as crosses, watches, and rings; games, cards, word search books, and other small gift items.

    Contact: Sandy Epstein

    (508) 368-3524

     

  • Worcester Housing Authority

    Donate Christmas trees and decorations for use in resident community rooms; pie filling or grocery store gift cards for holiday food; and hats and gloves for children in all sizes.

    Contact: Lynn O’Toole

    (508) 635-3306

     

  • Worcester County Food Bank

    Donate non-perishable food for distribution to area emergency feeding programs. Drop off items Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Please call the office before dropping off. Please visit www.foodbank.org for more information.

    Contact:

    (508) 842-3663

     

  • Horace Mann Educational Associates

    Donate linens and blankets, craft supplies, gloves, hats, scarves, and gift cards to pharmacy and grocery stores. Items donated to individuals with developmental disabilities.

    Contact: Tracy Andryc

    (508) 298-1129

     

  • Key Program

    Donate small gifts for teenage girls in residential shelter such as warm socks, gloves, scarves, hats, journals, and hygiene products.

    Contact: Stephanie Towne

    (508) 852-6277

     

  • LUK

    Donate toys for children ages 2 and up including Disney toys, Dora, pretend food items, art supplies, model cars, blocks, and books; gift cards to toy and discount stores. Gift items for teenage boys especially needed.

    Contact: Melissa Murphy

    (508) 762-3205

     

  • Nativity School of Worcester

    Donate navy blue blazers, white button down shirts, khaki pants, belts, and dress shoes for boys in sizes from boys’ small to men’s medium; sports equipment such as baseballs, soccer balls, and related items; art supplies and music equipment such as instruments, scores, and songbooks.

    Contact: Patrick Maloney

    (508) 799-0100

     
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