7 Essential Ways The Council Of Social Concern Woburn MA Is Transforming Community Support In 2025
The Council of Social Concern (CSC) in Woburn, MA, continues to be a vital cornerstone of community support, adapting its comprehensive services to meet the evolving basic needs of families in Woburn and Winchester. Established in 1969, this charitable, community-based agency operates on the principle of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," offering a crucial safety net that extends far beyond simple charity. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the CSC's programs—spanning early childhood education, emergency food assistance, and direct social support—are more critical than ever, with Executive Director Jessie L. Bencosme guiding its mission to serve people of all ages.
This article provides an in-depth look at the Council of Social Concern's most impactful programs, recent initiatives, and the essential resources they provide, ensuring the community has the most up-to-date information on how to access help or offer support.
The Foundational Pillars: Core Programs and Leadership
The operational framework of the Council of Social Concern is built upon two primary, high-impact programs: the Emergency Food Pantry and the Children’s Center, supplemented by robust social support services. The agency is headquartered at 2 Merrimac Street in Woburn, MA, acting as a central hub for assistance across the region.
Leadership Profile: Jessie L. Bencosme
The daily operations and strategic vision of the CSC are overseen by Executive Director Jessie L. Bencosme. As a key figure in the Woburn Chamber of Commerce, Bencosme’s leadership ensures the Council remains responsive to changing community needs while maintaining its commitment to quality service delivery. The agency, which employs approximately 27 staff members, manages significant financial operations, with total revenues recently reported in the range of $3.1 million, reflecting the scale of its community commitment.
1. The Emergency Food Pantry: A Lifeline for Local Families
The CSC’s Food Pantry is one of the most visible and essential services it provides, offering critical food assistance to residents of Woburn and Winchester. The pantry operates on an appointment-based system to ensure client dignity and efficient service.
- Accessibility: Recognizing the challenges faced by working families, the pantry offers evening hours, typically on a Wednesday, for individuals who work or attend school during the day.
- Partnerships: The CSC is a proud participant in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), which helps them secure and distribute a wide variety of nutritious food items.
- Community Support: The pantry is continuously stocked through major community efforts, including the annual food drive coordinated by USPS Mail Carriers and donations collected at local fire stations as part of the Woburn Kindness Day (#WoburnCares) initiative.
- Grant Funding: Recent support, such as a grant from the Winning Home organization, has been specifically directed toward bolstering the pantry's capacity for emergency food assistance.
2. The Children’s Center: NAEYC-Accredited Early Education
For parents needing safe, affordable, and high-quality care, the Children's Center program is a standout offering. This center-based program provides early education and care for children ranging from one month through five years of age.
- Quality and Accreditation: The center holds accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a hallmark of excellence in early childhood education.
- Licensing: It is fully licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), ensuring adherence to state standards for safety and curriculum.
- Capacity and Scale: While the center has a static operating capacity of 50 children, it demonstrates its flexibility by serving a larger number of children—for instance, providing services to 72 children during Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023).
- Financial Accessibility: To support low- and moderate-income families, the CSC offers subsidized tuition assistance on a sliding scale basis, making quality childcare attainable for those who need it most.
Expanding the Safety Net: Social Support and Emergency Services
Beyond the two main programs, the Council of Social Concern provides a comprehensive suite of social support and emergency services designed to address the underlying causes of hardship and stabilize families during crises.
3. Direct Emergency Assistance Programs
The CSC acts as a critical first responder for families facing immediate financial distress. While not a direct cash assistance provider, the agency connects clients with resources and, in some cases, provides direct aid for essential needs.
- Targeted Support: Emergency assistance is often provided in the context of Child Day Care and other Family Services, ensuring that a temporary crisis does not derail a family's long-term stability.
- Case Management: Clients seeking food or childcare often have access to social support services, which can include case management to help them navigate complex public benefit systems and community resources.
4. Specialized Social Support Services
The agency’s commitment to holistic support is evident in its specialized services, which focus heavily on proactive intervention and education.
- Parenting Education: The CSC offers parenting education classes, a crucial resource aimed at strengthening family units and providing parents with the tools they need to raise healthy, resilient children.
- Focus on High-Risk Families: A core component of the social support services is a special focus on families identified as high-risk, providing intensive support to mitigate potential crises and ensure child welfare.
5. Community-Driven Holiday Programs
The holidays are a period of heightened need, and the Council of Social Concern coordinates several significant annual campaigns to ensure local families can celebrate with dignity.
- Thanksgiving Baskets: Before Thanksgiving, the CSC coordinates the distribution of food baskets to hundreds of families, ensuring they have the ingredients for a traditional holiday meal.
- Christmas Assistance: For Christmas, the program shifts its focus to providing essential resources, typically in the form of supermarket gift cards, allowing parents to purchase gifts or special food items for their families.
- Toy Drive: The CSC partners with local groups like the Women of Woburn (WOW) for annual Toy Drives, collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to children in the community.
6. Recent Community Campaigns and Partnerships
To keep its services current and well-funded, the CSC actively engages in partnerships and fundraising efforts throughout the year, demonstrating its deep ties to the local business and civic community.
- Recycling Events: The agency benefits from unique partnerships, such as the recycling drive conducted by The Medeiros Crew Recycling group, which collects appliances, electronics, and other items, with proceeds benefiting the Council.
- "Healthy for the Holidays": In a recent initiative, the CSC teamed up with Social Capital Inc. (SCI) for a "Healthy for the Holidays" campaign, focusing on providing nutritious options during the holiday season.
- Corporate Giving: Local businesses, including TransAction Transportation, have selected the Woburn Council of Social Concern as the recipient of their annual holiday giving campaigns, underscoring the Council's reputation as a trustworthy and impactful local charity.
7. How to Get Involved and Support the CSC
The Council of Social Concern relies heavily on community involvement to sustain its operations, which began as a small organization in 1969 and has grown into a multi-million-dollar operation. Supporting the CSC is an investment in the stability of the local community.
- Donations: Financial donations are the most flexible and impactful way to support the agency's broad range of programs, from subsidized tuition to emergency food purchases.
- Volunteering: Volunteers are essential for the smooth operation of the Food Pantry and the execution of large-scale holiday programs.
- In-Kind Donations: Non-perishable food items are always needed and can be dropped off at the Merrimac Street location or designated collection points, such as the Woburn Fire Stations.
By providing everything from NAEYC-accredited childcare to emergency food and social support, the Council of Social Concern remains a powerful force for good, directly addressing the basic needs of its neighbors in Woburn and Winchester, MA.
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