Significant strides have been made because of that support. In 1995, for example, 85 percent of the teen mothers who completed the School Age Mothers Program at the Worcester Children's Friend Society returned to or graduated from high school; during one six-month period, 11 families helped by the Friendly House Basic Needs program moved off public assistance and became self-sufficient; and the recidivism rate for 23 youth enrolled in YOU Inc.'s Court Involved Program decreased to 17 percent in another six-month period when the recidivism rate for Juvenile Court was 38 percent.
Payroll Manager Julia Matt is chairing this year's WPI United Way Campaign; James Hanlan, associate professor of history, is the faculty representative. President Edward Parrish asks all members of the WPI community to join him in supporting this worthy effort.