WORCESTER—The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) has laid off six staff members due to financial strain caused by delayed federal funding and uncertainty about future funds.
The nonprofit, which has supported women entrepreneurs across New England for 30 years, announced the layoffs last week, affecting staff at each of its five Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) and one regional program team member.
CWE President & CEO Gabrielle “Gaby” King Morse told the Worcester Guardian that the decision was made to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability.
“We have had to make some tough decisions due to the financial strain caused by the nonpayment of monies owed,” Morse said, “and the uncertainty surrounding future funds committed to us by the Federal government.” She added that the organization remains committed to fulfilling its grant obligations and supporting women entrepreneurs despite the staff reductions.
Before the layoffs, each of CWE’s five business centers—located in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island—had two full-time staff members. Now, only one full-time staff member remains at each location. The sixth person who was laid off was part of the regional program team that provides services across New England, including WBENC certification and procurement support.
Former Central Massachusetts Women’s Business Center Director Racquel T. Knight, one of the affected staff members, expressed disappointment but highlighted the impact of her work. “I am deeply saddened by the recent decision to lay off myself, along with all the directors across the New England Women’s Business Centers and several program managers,” Knight told the Guardian.
During her tenure, Knight led initiatives such as the Women of Color Business Summits, the Roadmap to Entrepreneurship Program, and efforts to rebuild the Worcester Center as a trusted resource for women and women of color entrepreneurs. “While I am disappointed by this decision, my commitment to supporting and uplifting women entrepreneurs remains unwavering,” she said.
Despite the layoffs, CWE leadership emphasized that they plan to continue meeting all SBA grant requirements and serving women entrepreneurs.
“Although the way we will be delivering programming will be different, we have plans in place to meet all requirements of all SBA grants and other key funders,” Morse stated, “as well as continue to provide WBENC certification and procurement support services. In the future as things stabilize, we look forward to again increasing services that go beyond the expectations of our funders and our work focused on WBENC certification; as women entrepreneurs deserve everything we can give them.”
Editor Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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