Pathway to College program

We recently received the following information from UMMHC Human Resources about a new opportunity for UMass Memorial caregivers to prepare for further healthcare education. Questions can be directed to Christine Staub, HR Organizational Development Specialist, 508-793-5637

The Pathway to College program provides caregivers with the foundation needed to enter a number of degree programs including health education, nursing, occupational studies, business, psychology, and sociology. This collaboration with Worcester State University is a revised version of the Direct Care Pathways program, but expands beyond healthcare specific roles.

Cherie Comeau, Director of Worcester State University’s Center for Business & Industry will be on campus to share information and answer questions

• University: Tuesday, February 6th  Noon-2 pm Outside Pharmacy near the cafeteria
• Memorial: Wednesday, February 7th  6:30 - 8:30 am Across from cafeteria
• Hahnemann: Wednesday, February 14th  11:30 am-1 pm Main Lobby

Program Highlights

• A 9-month program designed to prepare participants for admission to an associate’s degree program
• Begins with an Academic Success Seminar followed by three core classes delivered with individual attention from the instructor and support from an advisor
• Three (3) cohorts of up 20 students, the first group starting in March
• One evening per week (Cohort 1 will meet on Tuesdays)
• Low out-of-pocket expenses for those eligible for tuition assistance benefits

2016 Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO College Scholarship

The SHARE office recently received the following notice in the mail from Joe Carlson, the President of the Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO, about a really great scholarship opportunity for our members. The lottery for these scholarships will be open to any SHARE members, as well as children and grandchildren of our members, who will graduate from high school this year and attend college next year. The details are posted below. Please note that applications should NOT be sent to the SHARE office. If you would like a copy of the nomination form, please click here.

***

To: All Affiliated Locals of the Central Mass AFL/CIO,

We are pleased to announce that we will be awarding six $1,000.00 scholarships as well as a number of  $500 Platinum sponsored scholarships.

The scholarship recipients will be drawn by lottery at the May community services committee meeting and the winners will be announced at the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, June 3, 2016.

The scholarships will be presented at the Labor Day breakfast September 5 2016

To be eligible, the student must be a 2016 graduating high school senior and going on to college, and a child, grandchild, or member whose local is affiliated with the Central Ma. AFL/CIO. Union members must live or work in the jurisdiction of the Central Ma. AFL/CIO.

All names must be submitted by April 29, 2016 and returned to:

Paul Soucy

AFL/CIO Labor Community Services

Central Ma. AFL-CIO

400 Washington St

Auburn, Ma. 01501

Fraternally Yours,
Joseph P. Carlson, President
Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO

Union Plus Scholarship Opportunity

The Union Plus Education Foundation is now receiving applications for their 2016 Scholarship Program. The awards range from $500 to $4,000.

The application deadline is Saturday, January 31, 2016.

This is a competitive scholarship, and applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. The Scholarship Program is open to current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program (e.g., AFSCME), their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2016.

The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college or university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. Awards must be used for the 2016 - 2017 school year. You do not have to purchase any Union Plus product or participate in any Union Plus program to be eligible.

Applicants should note that the application requires you to list the national or international union name, local union number, local union's address, phone number and the name of the local union President or Business Manager.  You need this information for your union, your spouse's union or your parent's union (if you are a dependent).  If you or your family members are affiliated with multiple unions you must list this information for all.

As a member of SHARE, you are also a member of our parent organization, AFSCME, a qualifying union. Please note that the “local number” for SHARE on the Hospital-side is AFSCME Local 3900. The SHARE Hospital-side co-presidents are Rita Caputo and Bobbi-Jo Lewis.

For more details, and to access the online application dashboard, please see the Union Plus Scholarship website.

Scholarship Opportunities for SHARE Members and Dependents

SHARE's parent organization, AFSCME, earlier this week published to their blog the following information about scholarships. As members of AFSCME, all SHARE members qualify. Please note that the application deadlines are rapidly approaching!

Many families are struggling with the costs of college tuition — or paying off college loans. AFSCME members and their children or dependents can apply for scholarships that could substantially reduce college costs. Here are two scholarship options currently accepting applications:

The Gerald W. McEntee Scholarship is a one-time award of $5,000 granted to one AFSCME member each year.  The scholarship is given to the member who best exemplifies the former president’s commitment to strengthening our union through organizing, building political power for working families, defending workers’ rights and supporting public services. The application deadline is Jan. 31.

The AFSCME Family Scholarship is an award of $2,000, renewable for up to four years, granted to 10 rising high school seniors each year. Any senior whose parent or legal guardian is an active AFSCME member may apply. The application deadline is Dec. 31.

Visit AFSCME.org/members/scholarships to learn more and download application materials.

Already graduated? AFSCME is committed to helping union members navigate the student loan process. You may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program or Income-Driven Loan repayment, which can help dramatically reduce your monthly payments. You can find out more at AFSCME.org/student-debt.

Free Film Screening: The Connection

Over the next week, UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Hospital will be screening The Connection, a documentary film about "the remarkable link between your mind, body & health." For a preview, you can watch the official trailer, or the first fifteen minutes of the film free online. For more information about the screenings, see the information from the event flyer below.

• Learn more about the practice of mindfulness and the numerous resources available at our academic medical center.
• After viewing the 70- minute video, participate in an interactive discussion and learn about mindfulness programming and new resources to continue or adopt a mindfulness practice. 
• We encourage you to take the time to learn about the benefits of mindfulness for yourself and our patients.

University Campus

• Monday, September 21, 12:00 pm (Lazare Auditorium)
• Friday, September 25, 12:00 pm (Lazare Auditorium)

South Street Campus

• Monday, September 21, 3:00 pm (Amphitheater)
• Tuesday, September 22, 3:00 pm (Amphitheater)

Memorial Campus

• Monday, September 21, 3pm (Amphitheater)
• Wednesday, September 23, 3pm (Amphitheater)

Hahnemann Campus

• Monday, September 21, 11:00am (Ann Nemitz Room)
• Monday, September 21, 12:30 pm (Ann Nemitz Room)

HealthAlliance-Burbank

• Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 pm (Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center)

Congratulations to the Winner of the Murray Wagner Laughlin Scholarship

Congratulations to Xoyoan X. Colon Vega, who was awarded the Murray Wagner Loughlin Scholarship at this year's Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO Annual Labor Day Breakfast.

While the Labor Day breakfast up the Pike in Boston captured the national spotlight this year with President Obama and Labor Secretary Perez in attendance, the Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO hosted another inspired and dignified event. Attendees included union members and leaders from throughout the region, as well as leaders from the United Way, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, and Attorney General Maura Healey. The breakfast featured a keynote address from Congressman Jim McGovern.

Xoyoan is entering college to study automotive mechanics. His father works professionally on large truck engines, and Xoyan is considering that path, too. Xoyoan's mother, Ana Myriam Vega, is a former SHARE member, having worked as a senior administrative secretary in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. 

Laurie Lynch, a member of the SHARE union organizing staff who also attended the breakfast, said that Xoyoan told her he was extremely grateful to our union for the award. He also wanted to express his faith by sharing a Christian Bible verse that he finds meaningful, Isaiah 12: 2, which reads, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."

This year, a total of $13,500 was awarded to nineteen scholarship recipients. The scholarships are presented each year to graduating high school seniors who will be going on to college. The student must be a member of a union local affiliated with the Mass AFL-CIO, or the child or grandchild of a member. The program intends to expand its scholarship offerings next year. SHARE typically receives announcements for the AFL-CIO scholarships in March. Keep your eye on this blog, where we will pass along any news of scholarship opportunities made available to SHARE members.

College Scholarship Opportunity: Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO

The SHARE office recently received the following notice in the mail from Joe Carlson, the President of the Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO, about a really great scholarship opportunity for our members. The lottery for these scholarships will be open to any SHARE members, as well as children and grandchildren of our members, who will graduate from high school this year and attend college next year. The details are posted below. Please note that applications should NOT be sent to the SHARE office. If you would like a copy of the nomination form, please click here.

***

To: All Affiliated Locals of the Central Mass AFL/CIO,

We are pleased to announce that we will be awarding six $1,000.00 scholarships as well as a number of  $500 Platinum sponsored scholarships.

The scholarship recipients will be drawn by lottery at the May community services committee meeting and the winners will be announced at the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, June 5, 2015.

The scholarships will be presented at the Labor Day breakfast September 7 2015

To be eligible, the student must be a 2015 graduating high school senior and going on to college, and a child, grandchild, or member whose local is affiliated with the Central Ma. AFL/CIO. Union members must live or work in the jurisdiction of the Central Ma. AFL/CIO.

All names must be submitted by May 1, 2015 and returned to:

Paul Soucy

AFL/CIO Labor Community Services

Central Ma. AFL-CIO

400 Washington St

Auburn, Ma. 01501

Fraternally Yours,
Joseph P. Carlson, President
Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO

Even More College Scholarship Opportunities . . .

are available to SHARE members through the AFL-CIO "Union Plus" progam. Click here for details.

College Scholarship Opportunities

The SHARE office recently received announcements about two scholarship opportunities for our members. Both scholarships are open to children and grandchildren of SHARE members who will be graduating from high school this Spring, and attending college in the Fall 2011.

• The Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO Scholarship Award -- Five $1000 scholarships, plus several $500 awards, to be drawn by lottery. (Submission deadline May 1, 2011) We posted previously about this scholarhip on our blog here.
• The 14th Annual AFSCME Council 93 M. Michael Botelho Scholarship Award -- $1000 Scholarship. Applicant must complete a 500-750 word essay entitled "Unions have been important to my family because . . ." (Submission deadline June 1, 2011) 

For full details, please call the SHARE office (508-929-4020). Please provide your mailing address or fax number in order for us to send them to you, along with a phone number where we may contact you. 

Central Mass AFL/CIO College Scholarship

The SHARE office recently received a notice in the mail from Joe Carlson, the President of the Central Massachusetts AFL/CIO, about a really great scholarship opportunity for our members. The lottery for these scholarships will be open to children and grandchildren of our members and any members themselves who will graduate from high school this year and attend college next year. The details we received are posted below. If you would like a copy of the nomination form, please contact the SHARE office (508-929-4020).

To: All Affilliate Locals of the Central Mass AFL/CIO.

We are pleased to announce that we will be awarding five $1,000.00 scholarships as well as a number of $500 Platinum sponsored scholarships.

The scholarship recipients will be drawn by lottery at the May community services committee meeting and the winners will be announced at the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, June 3, 2011.

The scholarships will be presented at the Labor Day breakfast September 5, 2011

To be eligible, the student must be a 2011 graduating high school senior going on to college and a child, grandchild, or member whose local is affiliated with the Central MA AFL/CIO. Union members must live or work in the jurisdiction of the MA AFL/CIO.

All names must be submitted by May 1, 2011 and returned to:

Paul Soucy

AFL/CIO Labor Community Services

Central Ma. AFL-CIO

400 Washington St

Auburn MA 01501