Dear friends,

As 2023 winds down and we prepare for the holidays, we thank our partners and continued supporters and invite you to learn more about our organization as we continue to work towards a collective vision of a world made up of strong and resilient communities and individuals, confident in their potential and with ownership of their success.

This past quarter we've been busy spreading holiday cheer throughout the community, our advocacy efforts have expanded in both our housing and environmental divisions, and we welcomed the nationwide RCAP Network to our region – as the annual RCAP National Conference was held in Boston, Massachusetts in the month of October.

We hope you enjoy learning about these exciting initiatives and more in this quarter's edition of The Community Connection.

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES

Board of Directors Spotlight

Timothy Grinham, a Commercial Banking and Lending Specialist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, joined the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors in July of 2022.

Tim has a professional background in technology, banking, lending, real estate, and brings over 20 years of experience in finance, investment, and sales management to his role on the board. He has extensive knowledge of working with federal funding sources, financing, managing customer accounts and portfolios, developing business opportunities, customer service, and training.

Full Story

RCAP Solutions Spreads Holiday Cheer Throughout the Community!

Recently, RCAP Solutions held an "Adopt a Child for the Holidays" program. Our team donated, wrapped, and delivered gifts for families with children living at Cottage Street Apartments & Hapgood Apartments – our affordable family housing complexes located in Athol, Massachusetts!

In addition, gifts were also donated to families with children who are enrolled in the YWCA Central Massachusetts' housing, shelter, and domestic violence programs.

Finally, our staff came together to collect and donate food and non-perishables for displaced families in the Worcester area. All of these items will make the holidays brighter for those in need!

View the Photos

Join Our Team – We're Hiring

RCAP Solutions is always looking to recruit talented individuals who are ambitious, creative, data-driven, diligent, passionate, proactive, problem-solvers, and committed to providing services to those who need them.

Are you one of those individuals If so, check out our list of available career opportunities and apply today!

Apply Today

Where We Work

RCAP Solutions is the Northeast and Caribbean affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), which offers water, wastewater, and economic development programming. As such, we provide services in all six New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition, RCAP Solutions serves as the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) for Worcester County and a handful of surrounding towns, providing a wide range of housing counseling and financial services. Furthermore, we administer various voucher programs and manage several affordable apartment complexes for residents across Central Massachusetts.

HOUSING RESOURCES UPDATES

Giving Opportunity – Support Hardworking Families on Their Path to Success

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program provides supportive counseling, financial education, and credit success workshops to housing choice voucher holders who dream of a brighter future for themselves and their families.

FSS participants work one-on-one with a program coordinator to develop an action plan to achieve their goals – to secure better employment, advance their education, purchase a home, or start a business.

By giving to our FSS Fund, you can create a brighter future for individuals and families who strive for economic independence, workforce skills, and a better life!

Make a Difference, Give Today!

Josh Bedarian, our Chief Housing & Compliance Officer, Testifies In Front of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Housing

In September, our very own Josh Bedarian, Chief Housing & Compliance Officer, participated in a hearing hosted by the Joint Committee on Housing at the Massachusetts State House. He spoke on the importance of An Act Codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (H.1351) – filed by Representative Adrian Madaro.

MRVP is one of the many important voucher programs we administer to support renters throughout Central Massachusetts. MRVP provides a permanent improvement in the lives of individuals and families by offering both tenant and project-based rental subsidies.

RCAP Solutions continues to advocate and work tirelessly to ensure all individuals and families have a safe, sanitary, and affordable place to live in communities of their choice!

View the Photos

RCAP Solutions Partnering with Several Community-Based Organizations to Expand RAFT Program Access Throughout Central Massachusetts

RCAP Solutions is proud to announce a partnership with Valuing Our Children, the Spanish American Center, the Worcester Community Action Council, NewVue Communities, and Making Opportunity Count, which expands access to the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program for individuals and families throughout Central Massachusetts.

Thanks to this partnership with these community-based organizations (CBOs), clients who are unable to access or complete an online application may contact RCAP Solutions or one of these CBOs directly to schedule an appointment. During the appointment, clients will be guided through the application process. These appointments can be conducted in-person or virtually.

RCAP Solutions administers RAFT funds and provides application assistance to residents throughout Central Massachusetts, except for those living in the city of Worcester. Effective immediately, residents of the city of Worcester who apply for the RAFT program will have their application processed by the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (see our RAFT Service Area Map).

Learn More

Landlords and Property Owners – List and Lease Your Available Units

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is seeking participants who have available units to lease. All property owners and landlords are encouraged to participate, including those currently renting to HCV tenants! By participating in the HCV Program, we can help you meet your financial goals as a property owner and provide families with a place they are proud to call home.

To market your avaliable units to potential HCV families, visit AffordableHousing.com  and select "List Your Property". You may also email information about your avaliable units to: [email protected]

In addition, landlords with units located in high-opportunity areas are encouraged to participate in the SNO Mass Housing Mobility Program; participating in this program makes you eligible for a $2,400 cash bonus (broken into two installments)! For more information, download our SNO Mass Flyer.

Learn More

COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES UPDATES

RCAP Solutions Welcomes the Nationwide RCAP Network to Our Region During National Conference

Thank you to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) for hosting another fantastic Annual Conference! RCAP Solutions was delighted to welcome the nationwide RCAP Network to our region – as the event was held in Boston, Massachusetts.

This yearly event is an opportunity for our Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) to meet face-to-face and share ideas on how to further our work in supporting the power and potential of rural communities.

We look forward to next year's conference in Omaha, Nebraska!

View the Photos

Providing Technical Assistance to the Rollinsford, New Hampshire Water & Sewer District

This video from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) highlights our work with the Rollinsford, New Hampshire Water & Sewer District – whom we've been instrumental in providing technical assistance to.

This small community faced challenges due to arsenic and lead contamination in its water and long-deferred maintenance. We provided board training, technical assistance, and GIS mapping to bring the town into compliance and give it a full picture of its infrastructure.

Watch the Video

Coalition for Safe Drinking Water Makes a Splash Into the Massachusetts State House

On September 20, RCAP Solutions, The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, and other members of Coalition for Safe Drinking Water gathered at the Massachusetts State House to unveil The MassINC Polling Group's findings from a recent public opinion survey on private drinking water well quality!

Joined by lead sponsors of An Act Promoting Drinking Water Quality for All (S.482/H.902) – Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Dan Sena, and Representative Smitty Pignatelli's office – the event was a great success and presented data which shows broad support among Massachusetts residents for strengthening drinking water protections for private wells to ensure safety and quality.

Detailed Poll Data

September 27 marked the arrival of the highly-anticipated hearing for the aforementioned bill – An Act Promoting Drinking Water Quality for All – in front of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources at the Massachusetts State House!

Our all-star lineup of panelists who testified in support of strengthening private well protections included our very own Brian D. Scales, President & CEO; Amie Shei, Ph.D., President & CEO at The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts; and many more public health experts, private well homeowners, and advocates.

We thank the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources for their time, as well as everyone who provided written and oral testimony in support of this bill.

View the Photos