Local Hero: Mendelsohn Helped Countless Job Seekers In Central MA

WORCESTER, MA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Dr. Heather Ann Thompson who nominated Bruce Mendelsohn.

Local hero’s full name Bruce Mendelsohn
Local hero’s home state Massachusetts
How do you know the local hero? Spouse
What does the local hero do? Resource Development Coordinator, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

During the past two and half years (especially during COVID-19), Bruce has helped dozens of job seekers secure FT, PT, and Temp jobs in Central MA priority industries such as healthcare, IT, retail/hospitality, and transportation/logistics. As Resource Development Coordinator for the City of Worcester's Executive Office of Economic Development (MassHire Central Region Workforce Board), he wrote and submitted workforce development grant applications that won more than $1.5M to create job training and career development programs for youth ages 16-24 as well as traditionally underserved un- and underemployed residents in the City of Worcester and 38 surrounding towns and communities served by the MCRWB. For example, in 2021, he won a $300K Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training grant from the EPA. 38 people earned environmental remediation certifications during the first of two annual training cycles (2022). Complementing his professional achievements, Bruce--a decorated U.S. Army veteran--consistently volunteers in the community for organizations such as the United Way of Central MA, the Jewish Federation of Central MA, the YMCA, Working for Woo and The Mission Continues. He is also Junior Vice Commander of the Jewish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

He's a selfless, service-oriented person who seeks every day to improve the lives of others and the communities which we share. Thank you for all you do, Bruce R Mendelsohn!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile. Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a hero.