The Worcester County Poetry Association (WCPA) and the Worcester Clemente Course in the Humanities (WCCH) are pleased to announce that they have signed a fiscal agency agreement. This change, which took effect on March 6, 2019, allows Clemente Worcester to focus on its mission of providing participants with tools to craft the voice and passion that already exists within themselves into a powerful and impactful resource.
Jim Cocola, a member of the WCPA’s board since 2013, serves as Clemente Worcester’s Academic Director and Poetry Instructor. Cocola approached the WCPA board in November 2018 to gauge interest in partnering with Clemente Worcester as fiscal agent. The WCPA board quickly concluded that working with Clemente Worcester would help the WCPA reach new audiences and increase the diversity of its poetry outreach. After due diligence by both sides, the relationship was formalized at the WCPA board meeting on March 6, 2019
WCPA President, Rodger, Martin, wrote, “The opportunity for the Worcester County Poetry Association to serve as fiscal agent for the Worcester Clemente Course in the Humanities is an occasion we could not let pass. WCCH’s engagement with the powerful range of cultures that exists within our city and county matches our mission to bring poetry to all the people.”
The WCPA, founded in 1971, has a threefold mission: celebrate the rich literary history and creative energy of Central Massachusetts; support the publication of the literary journal, The Worcester Review; and collaborate with a variety of cultural organization to promote poetry.
The Clemente Course in the Humanities provides a transformative educational experience for adults facing economic hardship and adverse circumstances. Clemente Worcester was established in 2014 and will have graduated close to 100 scholars this May. The Course, which focuses on five strands of the humanities over eight months, takes place at the Worcester Art Museum with a Child Education Program and Community Events happening across the street at Trinity Lutheran Church. Each year students represent as many as fourteen countries and most continents around the world. The Course seeks to remove all barriers to higher education and is offered free of charge to accepted students. Child-care, books, and transportation are all included. For more information, please see our website: www.clementeworcester.com.