Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1 Million to Expand Employment Opportunities Through Social Enterprises

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1 million in grants to four organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.   

"The Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program helps organizations expand their facilities so they can create more opportunities for people facing barriers to employment," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "These investments support nonprofits that combine paid employment with hands-on training and wraparound services, helping more Massachusetts residents access long-term economic opportunity." 

Social Enterprise Capital Grants support the purchase, repair, renovation, and improvement of the facilities of nonprofit businesses that both sell goods or services and provide paid employment and supportive services to individuals facing significant barriers to employment. To be considered, workforce development needs to be a key aspect to both the organizations mission and programming. Eligible organizations must offer paid work opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority given to socially and economically disadvantaged populations requiring intensive support. The Healey-Driscoll Administration continue to grow this program having awarded, in total, more than $8 million in grants to communities across the state of Massachusetts.  

Awarded Projects:  

ServiceNet Inc. (Northfield) – $250,000 
This grant will support rehabilitation and renovation of Northfield Farm, strengthening ServiceNet’s farm-based social enterprise. The enterprise grows, prepares, and sells agricultural and value-added food products while providing paid work, supervision, and hands-on training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project will improve the farm’s facilities and infrastructure, helping participants build practical skills in agriculture, food production, and related employment pathways. 

GAAMHA Inc. (Petersham) – $400,000 
This grant will support GAAMHA’s acquisition of property at 211 North Main Street in Petersham, creating a permanent home for social enterprise and recovery-supportive employment activities. GAAMHA’s site will connect participants to paid work, skill development, and supportive services through their culinary social enterprise, Forward Fare. There, adults in recovery from addiction and/or navigating mental health challenges can learn job skills while preparing and packaging meals for sale. 

Latin American Health Alliance (Worcester) – $250,000 
This grant will support renovations and equipment upgrades at Café Reyes, LAHA’s mission-based restaurant and catering social enterprise. Café Reyes serves Cuban and Latin American food while providing paid work experience and job training for residents and graduates of the Hector Reyes House, a bilingual and bicultural residential treatment program for Latino men in recovery. Grant funds will be used to modernize the commercial kitchen, upgrade aging infrastructure, and purchase industry‑standard equipment needed to expand production capacity, training space, and operational efficiency. 

Regional Environmental Council Inc. (Worcester) – $100,000 
This grant will support renovation of first-floor social enterprise and workforce development space for REC’s food justice and urban agriculture operations. REC operates community and mobile farmers markets, urban growing programs, and YouthGROW, a youth employment and urban agriculture program that connects Worcester residents with fresh, affordable local food. The renovated space will support market operations and expand employee roles while strengthening the link between workforce development, environmental stewardship, and equitable food access. 

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