Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774-287-6418
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@waysideyouth.org

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. July 14, 2026 — Wayside Youth & Family Support Network has been awarded a $121,000 Activation Fund grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts to support furnishings and equipment for a new, expanded Charlton Community Services facility. The grant will help Wayside relocate from its current 1,800-square-foot site to a newly constructed 6,000-square-foot facility at 123 Worcester Road in Charlton, significantly increasing access to behavioral health services for children, youth, and families across Southern Worcester County.

The award will support the Wayside Charlton Community Services New Site Furnishings Project, an investment designed to strengthen Wayside’s ability to deliver intensive care coordination and related behavioral health services through its MassHealth Community Service Agency (CSA) program.

“This investment comes at a critical time for children and families in Southern Worcester County,” said Sara McCabe, President and CEO of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network. “Demand for coordinated behavioral health services continues to grow, and this expanded facility will allow us to serve more families, reduce wait times, strengthen collaboration among providers, and ensure that young people can access the support they need close to home.”

The expansion addresses a significant community need in a region often recognized as a behavioral health service desert, particularly in Southbridge, Webster, and surrounding communities. By increasing staffing capacity and strengthening infrastructure, Wayside expects to reduce client wait times, improve care coordination, increase the number of families served annually, and enhance engagement through accessible, community-based support.

“This project is about more than a building,” said Jessica Santos, Site Director of Charlton Community Services. “It is about creating the space and capacity necessary to help more children safely remain with their families, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and receive coordinated care in their own communities. We are deeply grateful to The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts for investing in the health and wellbeing of the families we serve.”

“We are proud to partner with Wayside on this initiative which will help more families receive timely care and support across Southern Worcester County” said The Health Foundation President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei. “By supporting Wayside’s expanded Charlton Community Services facility, we are investing in the infrastructure needed to increase and sustain access to coordinated, community-based behavioral health services for years to come.”

About Wayside Youth & Family Support Network

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a nationally accredited nonprofit dedicated to building strength, hope, and resiliency. Wayside provides a continuum of behavioral health and family services, including community-based counseling, residential programs, and family-centered outreach, serving thousands of children and families across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Learn more at www.waysideyouth.org.

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June 24, 2026

Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774-287-6418
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@waysideyouth.org

Wayside’s Lisa Gibalerio Named 2026 Commonwealth Heroine

Framingham, MA (June 24, 2026) – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is proud to announce that Lisa Gibalerio, MPH, has been named a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). Lisa was nominated by State Representative David M. Rogers in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Belmont community and beyond.

The Commonwealth Heroine award honors women across Massachusetts who “don’t always make the news, but who truly make a difference” in their communities through service, leadership, and advocacy. Lisa is a Public Health Educator and the long-time Program Coordinator of the Belmont Wellness Coalition, a program of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center. In this role, she leads a committed cross-section of parents, youth, school, town, and community representatives to promote the health and well-being of young people and families through evidence-based education, outreach, and prevention efforts.

Over the course of her work, Lisa has developed hundreds of prevention-centered video shorts, tip sheets, and educational workshops for both parents and teens. Her work addresses critical topics including substance use prevention, the impact of screens, and the culture of stress, equipping families with practical tools and knowledge. Lisa also serves as a trusted community voice through her monthly “Ask Lisa” advice column in the Belmont Voice, where she provides guidance and support to local families navigating complex challenges. Learn more at belmontwellness.org.

“Lisa’s dedication to prevention, education, and overall wellness has had a profound impact on the Belmont community and beyond,” said Sara McCabe, President and CEO of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network. “Her leadership and compassion truly embody the spirit of the Commonwealth Heroine award.”

Lisa is among the 147 distinguished members of the Class of 2026, recognized for their contributions across nonprofit, business, and civic sectors statewide. The official celebration was held on June 24, 2026, at the Massachusetts State House. Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women partners with state legislators to honor women who enrich their communities through mentorship, advocacy, and service, particularly in support of vulnerable populations

About Wayside Youth & Family Support Network

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a nationally accredited nonprofit dedicated to building strength, hope, and resiliency. Wayside provides a continuum of behavioral health and family services, including community-based counseling, residential programs, and family-centered outreach, serving thousands of children and families across

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June 8, 2026
Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774.287.6418
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@WaysideYouth.org

Framingham, MA (June 8, 2026) – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation to support the launch of its Seeds of Wellness pilot program within the organization’s Multi-Service Program.

Wayside is one of 150 nonprofits selected through a highly competitive process from 959 applicants as part of the Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program, which distributed $35 million this year. The funding will be provided over three years.

The Seeds of Wellness pilot will enhance Wayside’s Multi-Service Center existing mental health and substance use prevention services by creating opportunities for youth to connect with nature, build resilience, and strengthen relationships with trusted adults through community volunteers. Through hands-on gardening and wellness-focused activities, the program introduces an innovative, sustainable approach to supporting positive outcomes for young people.

Wayside’s Multi-Service Center serves youth and families across Watertown, Waltham, and Belmont, with a strong focus on those facing behavioral health challenges and systemic barriers, including low-income households, immigrant communities, and LGBTQ+ youth.

We are grateful to the Cummings Foundation for supporting Seeds of Wellness, an innovative program that will help young people build resilience, connection, and hope while strengthening the bonds between youth, caring adults, and the broader community,” said Sara McCabe, President and CEO of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.

“Nonprofit professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities,” said Joyce Vyriotes, executive director and trustee of the Cummings Foundation. “By providing flexible funding, we aim to support organizations in delivering meaningful, long-term impact.”

Cummings Foundation supports Massachusetts nonprofits primarily serving Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties and nearby communities. The Foundation sustains its philanthropy through a unique model in which rental income from Cummings Properties—its affiliated commercial real estate firm—supports its charitable giving.

Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $650 million to Greater Boston nonprofits. A full list of grant recipients is available at https://www.cummingsfoundation.org.

About Wayside Youth & Family Support Network

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a nationally accredited nonprofit dedicated to building strength, hope, and resiliency. Wayside provides a continuum of behavioral health and family services, including community-based counseling, residential programs, and family-centered outreach, serving thousands of children and families across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Learn more at www.waysideyouth.org

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The Watertown Community Foundation has awarded $39,475 in the inaugural Education and Youth Development grant cycle. This new grant program creates access to opportunities for Watertown youth that foster skill-building, creativity, leadership, confidence and resilience, while creating pathways for all young people to thrive.

The Watertown Public Schools (WPS) was the largest grant recipient, receiving $22,575 to support six programs and provide student internship support. One of the grants, totaling $5,000, was awarded to the WPS Student Opportunity Fund, which covers the cost of student activities, field trips, and clubs for families who need support.

This grant increases the district’s Student Opportunity Fund by approximately 25% for the 2026–2027 school year — a year that will see the reinstatement of athletics and activity fees at the middle and high school levels. An additional $9,000 was awarded to partner organizations, including Wayside Youth and Family Support Network and parent-teacher organizations of the Lowell Elementary School and Watertown High School, to directly support Watertown Public School students.

“These funds will go a long way to support families and programs that we truly need. I appreciate the work of the Watertown Community Foundation in funding these programs,” said Watertown Public Schools Superintendent Dede Galdston when she learned of the awards.

Other Education and Youth Grant recipients include the Mosesian Center for the Arts for youth arts tuition assistance; the Watertown Boys & Girls Club for nutrition education and yoga; and the Watertown Free Public Library for internship stipend support.

An additional $8,500 in Youth Sports Leagues Grants has been awarded to four Watertown youth sports leagues so any child who wants to play ball can participate, regardless of ability to pay. Grantees include Watertown’s Challenger Baseball Program, Youth Baseball and Softball Program, Youth Basketball Program, and Youth Football and Cheer Program. Launched in 2020 with support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation, NESN, and Arsenal Yards, the Watertown Community Foundation has awarded more than $48,000 since the beginning of the grant program to provide financial assistance for more than 400 student athletes. This is the final year of the Youth Sports League Grant Program. Future support for youth sports will be incorporated into the Education and Youth Development Grants program.

“We know that as rising prices add new pressure on families, folks in Watertown may struggle to cover costs associated with school and youth experiences” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Watertown Community Foundation board co-president. “These grants make sure that kids in Watertown continue to have access to great opportunities, regardless of costs. The Watertown Community Foundation is honored to provide this support which makes it possible for all students to participate fully alongside their peers in the life of their school and community.”

About The Watertown Community Foundation

The Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown through the transformative power of community giving. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city. Started with funds from the sale of the Watertown Arsenal property in 2003 and powered by generous donations from Watertown residents and businesses, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants. We are committed to convening local stakeholders, creating cross-sector collaborations, and breaking down barriers to bring people together to turn philanthropy into action. For more info about our mission, board of trustees and impact, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 40,500 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement. USA TODAY showcased the winners online and at the National Awards Summit in Nashville.

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance. “This recognition is a true reflection of the culture at Wayside. Our employees are the heart of everything we do, and they are the reason this is such a great place to work,” said Sara McCabe, President and CEO. “

“Earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market”

and its leadership.

ABOUT WAYSIDE YOUTH & FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK

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The Wayside Youth & Family Support Network has long struggled to recruit local teachers for its private special education school, relying on a skilled visa program to hire workers from countries like Brazil, Mexico and Germany.

Sara McCabe, the president of the Massachusetts-based nonprofit, said the school has five open teaching positions that it would usually try to fill through the H-1B program. But after the Trump administration attached a steep $100,000 fee to new H-1B visas last fall, Ms. McCabe said the nonprofit could no longer afford to use the program. As a result, the school has turned away a dozen students who have tried to enroll because it cannot hire enough special education teachers to offer more classes.

“The $100,000 fee has closed the door for us,” Ms. McCabe said.

Since imposing the fee in September, the Trump administration has upended the H-1B program, a critical pipeline for a broad swath of employers ranging from big tech companies and consulting firms to hospitals and schools. The result has been a fundamental shift in who gets to benefit from the visa program, which was put in place three decades ago.

Continue Reading —->

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) grant accounts for a large portion of the Wayside’s program in Watertown. It is used to support youth with trauma in Watertown and Waltham, and their families.

“It’s over a third of our staffing and budget at the moment, so it was definitely really scary to have it go away so suddenly,” Suarez-Friedman said.

In mid-January, Wayside and other organizations that receive the federal grant received an email in the middle of the night saying that the SAMHSA grant had been terminated, effective immediately.

“There was no warning more than just understanding the current climate that we’re in,” Suarez-Friedman said. “But no actual warning.”

If the SAMHSA grant had gone away, the staff members working at the Multi-Service Center would likely have been able to move to other work within Wayside (which has nine locations in Eastern Massachusetts and served more than 6,800 people in 200 communities in 2024), Suarez-Friedman said, “but we would have lost them here at the Multi in Watertown.”

The grant funds programs to help youth who have experienced trauma. The Wayside Multi-Service Center supports youth ages 6 to 22 in Watertown and Waltham who have experienced trauma, she said. and provides supportive counseling for the youth and their families. Currently, the Wayside Multi-Service Center serves about 45 clients in this area.

“Trauma can be anywhere from the loss of a loved one, it could be witnessing or experiencing a natural disaster or violence,” Suarez-Friedman said. “But we also see trauma as being the negative response that some people had due to the pandemic, and living with hunger — not knowing when you’re getting food — or having uncertainty around your housing. Or immigrating, whether it’s because you experienced something traumatic in your home country or that maybe the process of immigrating was traumatic.”

Wayside often fills the gaps in coverage or services, Suarez-Friedman said, such as treating someone when there is a long wait list for outpatient therapy, working with families whose insurance does not cover therapy, or helping connect people to other resources such as family housing and food assistance.

For about 24 hours, the funding for this program was gone, Suarez-Friedman said.

“It was actually really heartening for me. It was really impressive how much advocacy there was nationally. Because this was a national cut. It’s a federal grant. So it was really far reaching,” Suarez-Friedman said. “And so there was a ton of advocacy with legislators, and amongst the grantees and Wayside. I felt very supported by our senior leadership, our CEO (Sara McCabe) and our VP of Government Relations (Aaliyah Bannister-Batie). And I reached out to (State Rep.) Steve Owens, who connected us to (U.S. Sen.) Ed Markey’s office very quickly.”

Seeing how fragile federal grants can be was a good reminder for Suarez-Friedman.

“I’m always looking for other grant opportunities for continuing our existing programs should they end, or when they end, because they have end dates, and also for new programming,” she said.

Wayside receives some funding from the City of Watertown, and also has some state contracts as well as private funding, such as from the Watertown Community Foundation. Wayside also seeks new grant opportunities.

“I just put in an application for another large, private funder, and so I’m hopeful for that one, but we won’t learn until June,” Suarez-Friedman said. “So we’re always looking for other opportunities because of how, how immediately funding can be taken away.”

Finding private funds often provides more flexibility, Suarez-Friedman said.

“What I love most about the Wayside Multi is how much we are, grassroots social work, a community organization,” she said. “We’re figuring out what the community needs and just doing it. I really think that. When we get private funding, or more flexible funding like that, we get to do exactly what’s needed, versus what a grant is telling us to do.”

The Wayside Multi-Service Center has not done large-scale community fundraising, Suarez-Friedman said, but the people can donate to the organization.

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Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774-287-6418 (cell)
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@WaysideYouth.Org

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Wins 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award(s) for Innovation, Purpose & Values

FRAMINGHAM, MA, April 15 – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network has announced that it is a 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner for the second consecutive year. Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets.

Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas of workplaces culture:

Innovation

This award will celebrate organizations who have embedded innovation into their culture and create an environment where new ideas come from all employees.

Purpose & Values

This award celebrates organizations who have both embedded their mission and values into their culture and are efficient in their work to bring it into reality.

Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey. Details about how Wayside Youth & Family Support Network builds a great workplace culture are available on Top Workplaces

“The true strength of any organization, regardless of the industry, is the workforce. Wayside is so fortunate to have such talented and dedicated employees who make a real impact in our communities,” said Sara McCabe, President and CEO.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

ABOUT WAYSIDE YOUTH & FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK

Founded in 1977, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human services agency headquartered in Framingham, Mass. dedicated to building strength, hope and resiliency through its family-based outreach services, residential treatment programs, and community-based counseling services to thousands of children, youth and families throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts. To learn more about Wayside, please visit https://www.waysideyouth.org

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April 15, 2025

Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774-287-6418 (cell)
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@WaysideYouth.Org

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Receives $20,000 Grant from Watertown Community Foundation to Provide Emergency Assistance for Local Families

WATERTOWN, MA – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center in Watertown has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Watertown Community Foundation to provide emergency assistance gift cards to local households facing urgent financial crises.

These funds will help Watertown residents struggling with unforeseen hardships by covering essential needs such as overdue utility bills, transportation, moving costs, medical prescriptions, food, and personal care supplies. Priority will be given to households that do not qualify for existing state or federal assistance programs.

“We are deeply grateful to the Watertown Community Foundation for their commitment to supporting vulnerable families in our community,” said Laura Kurman, Director of the Multi-Service Center of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network. “This funding will provide immediate relief to individuals and families experiencing unexpected financial strain, helping them maintain stability during difficult times.”

The Watertown Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that serve the local community, striving to support the most vulnerable, invest in health and well-being of the Watertown community, foster community engagement and leadership, advance education and youth development, and promote the arts and protect the environment.

Wayside’s Multi-Service Center through its’ Social Service Resource Program, funded by the City of Watertown, provides comprehensive support to individuals and families in Watertown, offering critical resources to those in need. This grant will further Wayside’s mission of strengthening family well-being and community stability.

For more information about Wayside Youth & Family Support Network visit WaysideYouth.org.

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December 12, 2024

Contact: Betsy Freedman Doherty
774-287-6418 (cell)
Betsy_FreedmanDoherty@WaysideYouth.Org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Named Boston Globe Top Workplace for Second Consecutive Year

FRAMINGHAM, MA (December 8, 2024) – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is honored to be named a Boston Globe Top Workplace for 2024, marking the second consecutive year the organization has received this distinction.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state voted on by the people who know them best, their employees. This year, 175 companies made the Globe’s annual Top Places to Work list, including 39 newcomers. In all, the employee engagement company Energage, invited more than 8,000 organizations with employees in Massachusetts to participate. 68,000 workers at 323 companies rated their employers on leadership, values, training, benefits, and other metrics. There are four categories: small (50-99 employees); medium (100-249); large (250-999); and largest (1,000 or more). Wayside Youth and Family Support Network was ranked 50 out of 55 employers in the large category. This recognition underscores Wayside’s ongoing commitment to creating a supportive, equitable, and employee-centered workplace culture.

As highlighted in Boston Globe’s coverage, Wayside’s focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) continues to set it apart. One standout initiative is its approach to equity in health insurance benefits. Employees earning less than $25 per hour receive a discounted health insurance rate, reducing disparities among staff. “We have not ever had a single higher-paid employee complain. I think that’s part of the Wayside culture,” said Guimel DeCarvalho, Chief Information Officer. “If any of our policies or procedures is creating some kind of disparity, we try to create some new policy that will fix that.”

This innovative approach resonates with staff. Trini Swinnen, a Human Resources Generalist and immigrant from Argentina, shared how the discounted health insurance played a pivotal role in her decision to join Wayside two years ago. “The country I came from, the health system is free. When I moved to the US, I learned it is very expensive to get the health care you need,” said Swinnen. “Getting a lower rate was a relief. I really feel that they care about their employees and support employees in the best way they can.”

In addition to equitable health benefits, Wayside supports employees with a wide range of programs, including assistance for immigrants navigating the green card process and creating a workplace environment where all staff feel valued and supported.

Wayside remains dedicated to its mission of serving children, youth, and families through a range of mental health and community-based programs. This recognition reinforces its values of equity, compassion, and collaboration. For more information about Wayside Youth & Family Support Network and its programs, please visit waysideyouth.org.

About Wayside Youth & Family Support Network: Founded in 1977, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human services agency headquartered in Framingham, Mass. dedicated to building strength, hope and resiliency through its family-based outreach services, residential treatment programs, and community-based counseling services to thousands of children, youth and families throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts. To learn more about Wayside, please visit www.waysideyouth.org.

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