Gloucester

Wellspring House Celebrates 18 Recipients at Annual Scholarship Award Celebration

~ Wellspring House

Wellspring House Marks Historic Milestone as First Scholarship Cohort Graduates College

Wellspring House celebrated 18 scholarship recipients, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, at its 2026 Scholarship Award Celebration last Thursday, June 11, 2026, marking a significant milestone for one of the organization’s signature education programs. For the first time, students from the inaugural cohort of the Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund graduated from college. 

2026 Cape Ann High School Graduate Fund Awardees

The celebration brought together scholarship recipients with their family and friends, Gloucester Public Schools representatives including Superintendent Ben Lummis, GHS Principal Dr. John Perella, Wellspring Staff, Board members and supporters, and community members to recognize students pursuing higher education, workforce training, and career advancement. The event also featured remarks from two alumni of the Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund, who reflected on their educational journeys and the support that helped them persist through college and into their careers. 

2026 Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund Awardees

“Looking back, I realize success was never about having all the answers,” said scholarship alumnus Yahir Vasquez. “It came from community, being willing to make mistakes, and continuing to show up even when things felt difficult.” 

Recipients of two scholarships were honored during the event. The Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund awards up to $10,000 per academic year, and up to $40,000 per student, with the option to carry funding into a fifth year, to Gloucester residents graduating from Cape Ann high schools and pursuing a higher education degree. To be considered, students must be actively working with Wellspring or referred by a guidance counselor. The Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund supports Wellspring program participants by covering education expenses that many scholarships overlook, including transportation, supplies, books, online resources, and computers. Together, the two scholarships help remove the financial barriers that can prevent students from achieving their educational and career goals. 

2022 Cape Ann High School Scholarship Fund recipient Yahir Vasquez and 2026 Scholarship recipient Anas Yousif

“Watching the first cohort of Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund students graduate from college is a moment we have worked toward for years, and it speaks to something deeper about how Wellspring works,” said Melissa Dimond, the organization’s President and Executive Director. “We meet people where they are, whether that’s a student who needs extra support navigating in their first semester or someone moving forward from a major family setback losing their housing, and we stay with them as they work toward stability and success. The long-term commitment is what makes the difference.” 

Scholarship Review Panel Members Krystal Williams, Katie O’Leary and Kristin Michel

The scholarship selection process is led by a special advisory committee made up of members of Wellspring’s staff and board of directors, and community partners. This year the committee reviewed over 35 applications, conducted interviews, and nominated the recipients based on a variety of factors, ranging but not limited to education and career goals, essays, personal statements, and financial need.  

“As a first-year Board Member at Wellspring House, I was honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Scholarship Committee. Meeting and interviewing the candidates was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time with Wellspring. Each student shared their unique passions, goals, and determination to further their education, and I was inspired by their drive and commitment to their future. “Knowing that I played a small part in helping support their educational journey is incredibly meaningful. Investing in students and their potential is truly an investment in our community’s future, and I am grateful to be involved in such an impactful program,” shared Krystal Williams, Wellspring House Board Member and AVP, Branch Manager Cape Ann Saving Bank.  

“At Wellspring, our commitment to students extends far beyond graduation. We are dedicated to supporting our participants throughout their educational journey and as they take their next steps toward career and personal success. This graduating class represents not only an important milestone, but also the beginning of new opportunities and achievements ahead. Through continued mentorship, resources, and community connections, we remain invested in helping each student reach their full potential,” said Andy Allen, Director of Education and Career Pathways, Wellspring House. 

Wellspring’s President Melissa Dimond

These scholarships are part of Wellspring’s broader Education and Career Pathways programs, which equip adults and young adults with the credentials, skills, and confidence needed to pursue education, employment, and long-term economic mobility. For many recipients, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, the scholarships represent more than financial assistance. Through career advising, mentorship, scholarship support, and ongoing guidance, Wellspring helps students navigate the transition from high school to college and from college into careers, creating pathways to opportunity that extend well beyond graduation day. 

Many of this year’s scholarship recipients will continue their educational journeys at institutions including North Shore Community College and Salem State University, longstanding Wellspring partners that provide accessible paths to degree attainment for North Shore students.  

The celebration reflects the scale of Wellspring’s broader reach across Cape Ann, where demand for these programs continues to grow. During the past year, 135 adults enrolled in Wellspring’s ESOL program, 100 adults prepared for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), and 87 high school seniors and recent graduates received career advising and scholarship support services. Wellspring remains the only HiSET testing site on Cape Ann and recently expanded its ESOL programming to include digital literacy and career advising. 

2022 Cape Ann High School Scholarship Fund recipient Kaelyn Battle, and 2026 Scholarship recipient Kiara Olson

These outcomes are made possible by donors, partners, and advocates who believe that financial security should be within reach for every North Shore resident.  For more information or to support these critical programs, visit wellspringhouse.org.

2026 Scholarship Awardees with special guests GHS Principal Dr. Perella and Superintendent Lummis

2026 Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund Recipients: Britney Aguilar, Yaira Baez, Lizy Erazo Jesika Gutierrez, Auraylia Lord, Kiara Olson, Evan Porter, Jazmin Saloj, Molly Taormina, Julia Tremblay

2026 Cape Ann Graduate Fund Recipients: Sean Abell, Jamani Belle, Ayden Curley, Alyssa Estime, Shyia-Rose Goodrich, Jennifer Magalhaes, Jaylen Severino, Anas Yousif

All Photo Credits: Kendra Dott Photography | Sharon’s Studio of Gloucester

Gloucester Community Invited to Dedication Ceremony Honoring State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library, in partnership with the City of Gloucester, will host a special dedication ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Ann-Margaret Ferrante on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. The ceremony is free and open to all members of the public.

The event will commemorate Ferrante’s extraordinary contributions to Gloucester and celebrate her enduring role in making the reimagined 21st-century Sawyer Free Library a reality.

As State Representative for Gloucester from 2008 to 2025, Ferrante was a steadfast advocate for education, literacy, and public investment. Her leadership and commitment helped secure support for the historic renovation, expansion, and modernization of the Sawyer Free Library.

The Library and City of Gloucester will dedicate the staircase connecting the Library’s main floor to the Children’s Floor in Ferrante’s honor. The staircase serves as a fitting tribute to her lifelong belief in the power of education and opportunity, symbolically connecting generations of readers and learners while leading to the spaces designed for Gloucester’s youngest residents.

The community is warmly invited to attend. This is a free, public event—all are welcome to join Gloucester in remembering a beloved public servant whose impact continues to be felt throughout the city.

Event Details:

What: Ann-Margaret Ferrante Dedication Ceremony

When: Friday, June 26, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930

Open to the public.

For more information: sawyerfreelibrary.org

Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and Cape Ann Pride present Jessye DeSilva in concert June 14th!

~ chasnaz

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and Cape Ann Pride proudly present sensational vocalist Jessye DeSilva and her band on Sunday, June 14, at 3:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church at 50 Middle Street. Jessye DeSilva seamlessly blends theatrical pop elements with traditional folk and roots music to form her piano-driven alt-americana sound.  Advance tickets (recommended) online with more info at: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Jessye DeSilva infuses hope into songs about religious alienation, mental health struggles, and societal injustice to create a uniquely queer and unholy ruckus. Jessye’s newest album Glitter Up the Dark, produced by Aaron Lee Tasjan, is getting rave reviews. She writes about the album “Aaron and I came up with the idea to write an album that would center the idea of joy, in a broad sense…specifically, the joy of marginalized communities…joy is something you have to fight and work for. Standing strong in the sense of yourself…”  Glitter up the Dark is an astonishing and nuanced meditation on community, memory, resistance and survival arriving at a necessary and vital time.  To learn more about Jessye, visit: www.jessyedmusic.com

Pride Celebration Concert info: general admission $20, students $5, under 12 free. Our historic Meetinghouse, the home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, is located at the corner of Middle and Church Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street).  Parking is available on the green (enter between the granite pillars) and at other locations around the Historic District. The side entrance at 10 Church Street offers an elevator to the main level.

Wellspring House Celebrates Strongest Healthcare Training Outcomes in Program History at May 28th Graduation

~ Wellspring House

31 Graduates – 9 from Gloucester – Complete Intensive Program

Wellspring House celebrated the graduation of 31 adults from its Healthcare Office Support Training (HOST) program at a ceremony held at MGB Salem Hospital on Thursday morning. In a milestone first, 100% of enrolled students, across both the full-time day and part-time evening program, received their diplomas, the highest graduation rate for a class this size in program history. The results reflect a banner year for the program overall: over the past year, Wellspring achieved an 89% graduation rate across all HOST cohorts, the highest in a decade, with 85% of graduates securing new employment with higher wages within nine months of completing the program.

The graduates, North Shore adults committed to building better futures for themselves and their families, completed either Wellspring’s 15-week day program or 32-week evening job training program that prepares residents for careers in healthcare office support. As healthcare employers across Massachusetts continue to face significant staffing pressures, Wellspring’s HOST program is helping connect local residents to real career pathways in one of the region’s most in-demand sectors. Graduates have secured positions across a broad range of local employers, from community health centers to major hospital networks.

“Every person who received their certificate today demonstrated something extraordinary, not just completing a rigorous program, but choosing to invest in themselves and their futures while navigating the very real pressures of daily life on the North Shore. That takes courage. What we’ve built here, together with our partners at Salem Hospital and across the region, is proof that when the right support meets the right moment, incredible things happen,” said Melissa Dimond, President and Executive Director, Wellspring House.

A Program With Deep North Shore Roots

What began in 2002 as a single class at Salem Hospital has grown over more than two decades into a comprehensive workforce pipeline. Salem Hospital has been a cornerstone partner throughout, hosting and helping train participants in a model that works for both students and employers alike.

Today, Wellspring’s Job Training team serves 100 adult students and advises each year, with 658 HOST graduates placed in careers across the North Shore and beyond. Licensed as an Occupational Educational School by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, HOST also offers students the opportunity to earn college credits through an articulation agreement with North Shore Community College, providing a recognized credential and a pathway toward continued education.

“At Salem Hospital, we’re truly grateful for partnering with Wellspring and the HOST program. Programs like this not only strengthen the hospital but our entire community. They create opportunity and help create a workforce filled with compassionate people who want to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Katherine E. Belategui, Nurse Director, Salem Hospital Neuroscience and Orthopedic.

Training That Goes Beyond the Classroom

A unique strength of the HOST program is the depth of its employer partnerships. Wellspring works closely with the Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey health systems, Lynn Community Health Center, Cape Ann Medical Center, Pediatric Associates of Greater Salem, and others, who not only provide internship opportunities but often become direct hiring partners for graduates, allowing students to build professional networks, gain real-world experience, and transition into meaningful healthcare careers with confidence.

The HOST program’s success is further rooted in Wellspring’s integrated approach, combining workforce training and education programs with wraparound housing stability and support services that help participants overcome the barriers that often derail educational progress. For many graduates, the program represents the first realistic pathway to financial security in a region where a family of four must earn more than $121,000 a year just to cover basic needs.

“Our support does not end at graduation. We maintain a strong alumni network and continue helping graduates navigate career growth, continuing education, job transitions, and new opportunities long after they complete the program. Alumni become part of the Wellspring community, “said Mary Beth Tobin, Director of Job Training, Wellspring House.

Wellspring’s Broader Impact

HOST graduation is one milestone in a broader year of impact. Last year, Wellspring served more than 2,000 individuals and families across 20 North Shore cities and towns, with an emphasis on Lynn, Salem, Peabody, Beverly, and Gloucester, with more than 580 receiving intensive, individualized support tailored to their goals. 95% of families in Wellspring’s homelessness prevention program remained stably housed at the 12-month mark.

These outcomes are made possible by donors, partners, and advocates who believe that financial security should be within reach for every North Shore resident.

For more information or to support visit wellspringhouse.org.

Wellspring House Dedicates Colorful New Landmark Honoring 30-Year Partnership with Brookwood School

~ Wellspring House

WELLSPRING HOUSE dedicated a vibrant, handcrafted bench on the grounds of its headquarters at 302 Essex Avenue in Gloucester, marking more than thirty years of partnership with BROOKWOOD SCHOOL in Manchester. The bench, a whimsical, colorful work of functional art designed by artist Claudia Paraschiv and built by The Cornerstone Creative, was inspired by student artwork created during the 2024 celebration of the partnership’s 30th anniversary. It was officially unveiled during Brookwood’s annual first-grade spring planting visit last Wednesday, when students and families gathered at Wellspring to tend gardens, connect with the community, and carry forward a tradition that has shaped young lives for a generation.

The bench is dedicated in honor of three Brookwood educators, whose vision and dedication built the partnership from the ground up: Sarah Dawe, Pam Hawes, and Jeff Wilfahrt. Over more than three decades, they wove Wellspring’s values into the fabric of first-grade learning, crafting year-long curricula, organizing meaningful visits, and nurturing in hundreds of young students the understanding that small acts of generosity can bring great joy.

Wellspring’s mission is to inspire families and adults on the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training, and career readiness. Across the region, too many parents and young adults are doing everything right and still struggling to get ahead – facing rising housing costs, grocery bills, childcare needs, and constant financial uncertainty. Wellspring meets that reality with coordinated, compassionate support. The new bench, installed overlooking the wildflower garden that Brookwood’s young gardeners have helped cultivate season after season, reflects that same spirit: a space that is genuinely welcoming and restorative for every person who visits – families seeking stability, students arriving to take High Schol Equivalency exams, and individuals working to build more secure futures.

“Wellspring House is deeply grateful for this enduring partnership with Brookwood School,” shared Melissa Dimond, Wellspring’s President and Executive Director. “For more than thirty years, Brookwood’s students have brought their creativity, generosity, and care to everything they do here – tending our gardens, contributing to our community, and helping make this a place where people feel truly welcome. This bench is a celebration of that spirit, and a reminder of what is possible when a community decides to show up for one another.”

The Wellspring House–Brookwood School partnership is one of the longest-running community service collaborations on the North Shore, and one of the most hands-on. For more than twenty years, Brookwood’s first-grade classes have visited Wellspring each spring and fall to plant bulbs and flowers, cultivating the wildflower beds that now frame the new bench. Beyond the gardens, students have decorated holiday stockings for children in Wellspring’s family shelter, assembled “leaving baskets” for individuals transitioning into stable housing, and donated toys, art supplies, and holiday meals, each act of generosity carefully shaped by teachers into something children could carry with them long after first grade ended.

“For more than thirty years, Wellspring House has helped our students understand that service is not something separate from learning — it is learning. Generations of Brookwood students have arrived at Wellspring to plant, create, give, and connect, but they have also left with something lasting themselves: empathy, perspective, and a deeper understanding of community. We are profoundly grateful for this enduring partnership and for all that Wellspring has given to our students and families over the years,” said Jon Bartlett, Head of Schools, Brookwood School.

The bench was designed by Claudia Paraschiv of Studioful Design in Salem, MA, a woman-owned social enterprise rooted in participatory design, the belief that the most meaningful spaces are shaped by the people who will inhabit them, making it a natural fit for a project born directly from the imaginations of Brookwood’s students. Through a hands-on workshop, students were invited to draw and share memories of Wellspring House and reflect on what gives them a feeling of home. “The result was the creation of four symbols: a house for Wellspring’s mission, a tulip for the bulbs the children planted, a butterfly for the pollinators, and a heart for love and community,” Claudia shared.

The bench was brought to life by The Cornerstone Creative, a Gloucester-based nonprofit that uses woodworking and craftsmanship as a vehicle for youth mentorship. That both collaborators work at the intersection of making and community is no coincidence: it reflects exactly the values that have defined the Wellspring–Brookwood partnership for thirty years.

Wellspring House fosters and enhances its grounds with a wild mix of trees and perennials, creating colorful, inviting spaces to rest, relax, and restore. The new bench is the newest expression of that commitment – a place to sit, to breathe, and to feel, however briefly, that the world is a generous place.

Visit wellspringhouse.org to learn more about the range of meaningful ways to engage directly with the North Shore community through Wellspring. From hands-on outdoor work to sharing professional expertise to supporting families during the holidays, each opportunity is well-organized, personally rewarding, and connected to the more than 2,000 individuals and families Wellspring serves each year throughout the North Shore and beyond.

Brookwood’s Lindsay Murphy, Sarah Dawe, Jane O’Connor, Jeff Wilfahrt and Pam Hawes with Wellspring’s Melissa Dimond

Celesong Is Almost Sold Out — Get Your Tickets Now

~ Wellspring House

If you’ve been thinking about joining Wellspring House for CELESONG on Friday, May 1, now is the time to act.

This unforgettable evening at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport features Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and Marcus Hummon — three extraordinary songwriters sharing the stories and songs that have made them legendary.

Celesong is not just a concert. It is an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience that fills the room with warmth, energy, and the kind of magic that only happens when artists share the stories behind the songs. 

Tickets are nearly gone, and this is truly a night you will not want to miss.

Every ticket also supports Wellspring’s work helping families and adults across the North Shore build stability, opportunity, and brighter futures.

Get your tickets today before they sell out at wellspringhouse.org

What:            Celesong 2026 to benefit Wellspring House 
When:            Friday, May 1, 2026
Time:             Concert at 6:45 – 9:00 PM | Doors open at 6:15 PM
Where:          Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA
Tickets:         Purchase tickets today at wellspringhouse.org

CELESONG 2026: A night of music and song in support of Wellspring House

~ Wellspring House

A Nashville-Style Songwriters’ Round Featuring Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman & Marcus Hummon

Wellspring House will present Celesong 2026—its most important annual fundraising event—on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport. Doors open at 6:15 pm for an unforgettable evening that brings together music lovers, community champions, and supporters of Wellspring’s mission for a Nashville-style songwriters’ round featuring extraordinary talent and storytelling.

Wellspring creates opportunity for families and young adults across the North Shore through stable housing, education, job training, and career readiness. Each year, more than 2,000 people turn to Wellspring for support to overcome barriers, build skills, and move toward stability and financial independence, one family, one job, and one home at a time.

Returning to the Celesong stage is nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, joined by Beth Nielsen Chapman and Marcus Hummon. Between them, these legendary artists have earned inductions to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Grammy Awards, and Lifetime Achievement honors. Their music and storytelling have shaped generations, and together they bring uncommon depth, heart, and connection to every stage they share.

The evening will also feature an intimate live auction with a handful of carefully chosen items, including an exclusive Tim McGraw at Fenway Park package and a custom guitar signed by the night’s featured artists. Billy Costa will once again serve as emcee and bring his signature energy to the auction block, making it one of the most exciting moments of the evening.

Tickets are available to purchase at wellspringhouse.org/celesong2026. Early purchase is encouraged as space is limited. Tickets range from $100–$150. 

Wellspring is grateful to the sponsors who have committed their support, including Legacy Sponsor Institution for Savings; Resiliency Sponsors: EBSCO and Quantum Surfer; Determination Sponsors: Albrecht Auto Group, Cape Ann Savings Bank, and New England Biolab; Strength Sponsors: Annisquam Landcare, Beacon Pointe Advisors, Beauport Financial Services, Brian Orr Pediatrics, Coldwell Banker, Corporate Legal Partners, F.L. Putnam Investment Management Co, Gorton’s, Salem Five Charitable Foundation, Sawyer Free Library, The Housewright Co., and W.T. Rich; and Community Sponsors: Elaine Quinn Interiors, Kristin Francoeur & Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, and Community Credit Union, along with a number of individual and family sponsors.

Date: Friday, May 1, 2026 | Location: Shalin Liu Performance Center (37 Main St, Rockport, MA) | Time: 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM, Doors open at 6:15PM | Tickets: wellspringhouse.org/celesong2026/

This special night sells out fast, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of it.

Photo from Celesong 2025 at Shalin Liu Performance Center

One magical night for a powerful purpose — bringing our community together through song and storytelling to support Wellspring House’s work of opening doors to opportunity, one family, one job, and one home at a time. 

Boston Bruins Mascot Blades Coming to Sawyer Free Library on Tuesday! for 2026 PJ Drive!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Boston Bruins mascot Blades is coming to Sawyer Free Library this Tuesday, February 17, from 2:00–3:30 PM for a special PJ Story Time in support of the 19th Annual Bruins PJ Drive.

The event will kick off with Story Time featuring Blades, followed by Bruins-themed trivia, with questions and prizes provided by the Bruins. Children will then rotate through fun activity stations, including beading, fan button-making, mask coloring, Giant Jenga, and individual photo opportunities with Blades. Each child will also receive a goodie bag. Register at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Running from February 1 through March 15, the Bruins PJ Drive aims to collect 10,000 new pairs of pajamas for Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund to support children in need. Sawyer Free Library is proud to partner with the Boston Bruins, Cradles to Crayons, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and DCF/Wonderfund to help collect donations for local children living in low-income and homeless situations.

To donate, please bring to the storytime or drop off new pajamas (sizes 0–3 months through 18/20, adult medium) at Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. You can also donate through the Amazon Wishlist and ship directly to Cradles to Crayons. Please ensure all pajama donations are appropriate for all seasons and do not include holiday or family-specific references. The most-needed sizes this season are 12–18 months, 18–24 months, and adult medium.

We’re excited to help provide children with new pajamas so they can stay warm and get a good night’s sleep. For questions, please email tbalsan@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5555.

City of Gloucester Named One of Nation’s Digital Inclusion Visionary Trailblazers for 2025 

~ Sawyer Free Library

City of Gloucester Recognized for Second Time

GLOUCESTER, MA – The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named the City of Gloucester as a 2025 Digital Inclusion Visionary Trailblazer, recognizing the City’s  efforts to close the digital divide. 

Digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training – is essential to participating and thriving in today’s world. Recognizing the ongoing needs of the community, the City continues in its efforts towards digital equity.

“Access to technology is essential for education, work, and community engagement. The City of Gloucester is proud to be recognized as a Visionary Trailblazer for our commitment to ensuring all residents can fully engage in today’s connected world,” said Mayor Paul Lundberg. “We are grateful to Library Director Jenny Benedict and the staff at Sawyer Free Library for their leadership in advancing these efforts and making our Digital Equity initiatives a success.”

This year, Gloucester joins 58 other Digital Inclusion Trailblazers paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the U.S.  Visionary Trailblazer is the highest honor awarded for communities that have achieved 18 points or higher out of a possible 23. Visionary Trailblazers are communities that have deeply integrated digital inclusion throughout their local government. They are leading the way in digital inclusion innovation.

“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazer program exemplifies the key role of local governments in building digital opportunities for all of their residents.”

Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems.Last year, the designation recognized the work of the Sawyer Free Library and municipal IT Department with consultants from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on Gloucester’s first Digital Equity Plan. This plan is a roadmap for how the community can address the digital divide by helping under connected residents better access the Internet and obtain the devices and digital skills needed to fully participate in digital and everyday life.

This year, the City of Gloucester achieved Visionary Trailblazer status through the implementation of the Digital Equity Plan’s recommendations. Notably, the following Digital Equity initiatives launched in 2025:

  • Gloucester’s Digital Equity Steering Committee was formed with 9 community partners, establishing Gloucester’s Digital Inclusion Ecosystem and engaging the community in ongoing conversation about increasing under connected residents’ access to the Internet, reliable devices and digital skills training;
  • Sawyer Free Library’s Digital Learning Lab opened and hosted a Computer Basics Course funded in partnership with the Essex County Community Foundation;
  • Gloucester Public School students with interests in technology were employed as Digital Tutor interns by Sawyer Free Library.

In addition, grant funds through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute have been secured for the implementation of initiatives in 2026, including new public outdoor Wi-Fi access networks downtown; the continuation of the Computer Basics Course at Sawyer Free Library; and free public Wi-Fi access in affordable housing sites. 

“The progress that has been made in a short period of time is simply outstanding,” said Library Director and Gloucester Digital Equity Steering Committee Chair Jenny Benedict. “In the first year, eight of the Digital Equity Plan’s thirteen short term recommendations are well underway. We are so proud that NDIA has recognized the City of Gloucester as a Visionary in leading the way with innovative practices in digital inclusion efforts.”

The Trailblazer program identifies seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.

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About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with over 2000 affiliates, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.

The Gloucesterman Adventure : Jonathan Bayliss and Schooner Adventure at 100

~ Sawyer Free Library

Discover how the Schooner evolved from a pinnacle of North Atlantic design into a lasting symbol of literary endurance and independence in a presentation at the Sawyer Free Library by Ken Riaf, John Day and Emily Pearce on Thursday, January 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

For more than a century, Gloucester’s schooners have shaped the city’s identity, inspired generations of writers and artists, and embodied both the peril and poetry of life at sea. In this richly illustrated lecture, we explore how the schooner—especially the Schooner Adventure—has served as a powerful creative catalyst for author Jonathan Bayliss and for Gloucester’s cultural imagination at large.

The hour-long program highlights Schooner Adventure—launched in 1926 and celebrated as the “Queen of the Windjammers”—as a rare, fully restored vessel that keeps Gloucester’s maritime heritage vibrantly alive. Set against this historical backdrop, the program also explores the literary imagination of Jonathan Bayliss, whose childhood experiences with Gloucester’s schooners became central to his writing. Through Bayliss’s memories, historical imagery, and hands-on examples, the program demonstrates how schooners fuel creativity, bridge fantasy and realism, and inspire new generations to connect with maritime history.

This event will be hybrid taking place at the Sawyer Free Library and online. If you wish to participate online please include this in your RSVP at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

For more information contact Meg O’Neill or Julie Travers at 978-325-5500.