(BOSTON 7/16/2026) — This week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the FY27 recipients of the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, including two Worcester-based organizations. Latin American Health Alliance and Regional Environmental Council will receive $250,000 and $100,000 respectively in support of their employment and supportive service programs for individuals who face significant barriers to workforce participation.
The Social Capital Grant Program is focused on supporting nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth that sell goods and services while providing employment opportunities and job training for people who might otherwise struggle to find jobs through traditional avenues. The grants are competitive one-year capital grants that offer funding to purchase, renovate, repair, or remodel buildings to be used by the awarded organization.
“Latin American Health Alliance and Regional Environmental Council are both exceptional organizations that offer job opportunities to people who otherwise might not have them, helping them develop skills and build their resumes through real, fulfilling work,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m pleased that the Governor and her administration recognize the value of these organizations’ work and have awarded them grants that will allow them to continue their mission. Worcester and the entire Central Massachusetts region are better off for it.”
"Local organizations like the Regional Environmental Council and the Latin American Health Alliance lift up our community through the work they do, including providing individuals the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their community and gain workforce skills," said Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester). "Thank you to the Governor and the Executive Office of Economic Development for recognizing and supporting the efforts of these organizations and the lasting impact they make on the people they serve."
Latin American Health Alliance is set to receive $250,000 to support renovations and equipment upgrades at Café Reyes, the organization’s mission-based restaurant and catering social enterprise. Café Reyes serves Cuban and Latin American food while providing paid work experience and job training for residents and graduates of the Hector Reyes House, a bilingual and bicultural residential treatment program for Latino men in recovery. Grant funds will be used to modernize the commercial kitchen, upgrade aging infrastructure, and purchase industry standard equipment needed to expand production capacity, training space, and operational efficiency.
Regional Environmental Council will receive $100,000 to support the renovation of first-floor social enterprise and workforce development space for its food justice and urban agriculture operations. REC operates community and mobile farmers markets, urban growing programs, and YouthGROW, a youth employment and urban agriculture program that connects Worcester residents with fresh, affordable local food. The renovated space will support market operations and expand employee roles while strengthening the link between workforce development, environmental stewardship, and equitable food access.
According to the Social Enterprise Capital Grant webpage, “an employment social enterprise is defined as a discrete or embedded business venture operated by a mission-driven nonprofit organization with programming focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.” To be eligible to apply, “the organization must offer paid employment opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority to socially and economically disadvantaged populations who experience complex needs and barriers to employment that require intensive interventions.”
FY27 grant applications opened on April 1, 2026 and were accepted through May 5, 2026.
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