WORCESTER—The Clemente Worcester Course in Humanities is commemorating its tenth anniversary of providing free college-level education to motivated low-income adults this weekend.
On Saturday, May 11, Clemente Worcester celebrates with an event showcasing their graduates and members of the Worcester community at the Worcester Art Museum from 6-9 p.m.
Sponsored by Mass Humanities and local organizations, the program offers participants the opportunity to earn six college credits from Bard College upon successful completion.
The Clemente Course aims to enrich lives and build stronger communities through the study of the humanities. By offering free tuition, transportation assistance, and childcare, the program breaks down common barriers that often prevent economically disadvantaged individuals from accessing higher education.
“The way the faculty mentors, supports, befriends, and encourages their students is unique and admirable,” said Brian Boyles, director of Mass Humanities.”The Clemente Worcester course is also unique in the thriving alumni network that they sustain, the community dinners that they hold, the way that they are working with other organizations to highlight other Clemente students’ stories. In Worcester, people like Elizabeth Bacon have set the bar high in terms of their dedication to the program and to Worcester.”
The impacts have been far-reaching, according to Boyles: “Individuals in Worcester have gone on from Clemente to take jobs in higher education, public education, and human services. We have seen people who started the class in houselessness, go on to be activists for other people who don’t have a house.”
Doreen Samuels, a Clemente alumnus, added, “You’re never too old to learn, so I took the course. The course allowed me to get to know so many people from all around the world, and it let us feel like family. We still talk and keep in touch.”
In his role, Boyles said he gets a front-row seat to how these people view the world, the challenges they experience, and the ways they use the humanities to improve the place where they live.
“I have the honor of sharing these stories from individuals with legislators, with supporters, and with other stakeholders,” he said. “I do my best to convey just how strong the humanities are and how so many individuals have great ideas about how to build a more equitable Commonwealth.”
Samuels added that she’s excited for the future of the program and emphasized some of what she learned. “Critical thinking was very important. Some of us didn’t even make it out of high school, but to see that we can start over and improve and learn is incredible. It enriched my whole life and made my kids and grandkids so proud of me.
“Myself and so many others in the community are looking to go forward and not backward. There are so many degrees and different paths that someone can choose to take. The more you know, the better off you are.”
Samuels is also the recruiter for the program and says she hopes to interview and see who would be a good fit and interested in taking the course.
“I go to the Worcester Public Library, a shelter home for women, a housing complex where I can schedule a time to talk with tenants who may be interested,” she said. “I’m hoping to recruit 60-70 people, but only about 30 will end up taking the course.”
As the Clemente Worcester program marks its 10th anniversary, Elizabeth Bacon, community coordinator, is also looking towards the future. “We are hoping to build a cohort program in partnership with Quinsigamond Community College where our students could attend together as a group after graduating from Clemente. This would be paired with a support structure that could provide wrap-around service referrals, financial planning, and tutoring support as needed.” These plans are still in the “concept” phase, but Bacon hopes that they come to fruition.
Matt Olszewski is a freelance content and news writer based in Boston, MA. In his free time, Matt enjoys running, hiking or skiing. Matt is currently finishing up the MPH degree program at Tufts University. He can be reached at mattoskier@gmail.com
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