Marlborough Community Services to Merge with Tri-County United Way

The United Way of Tri-County will begin to provide direct services for the city of Marlborough in July. Fatinha R. Kerr, Executive Director, Marlborough Community Services, Inc. (MCSI), confirmed that merger negotiations with the United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) are in the final stages, and expected to become effective on July 1, 2011. This announcement was made public last week during the United Way’s Annual Meeting in Framingham.

MCSI, a UWTC community partner since 1992 receiving over $100,000 from the organization, serves the community by providing direct services and a food pantry program that currently benefits more than 800 city residents on a monthly basis. MCSI programs are designed to address and improve the quality of life of local individuals and families.

Paul Mina, President of United Way, said “This is a natural partnership. The United Way’s role is to ensure community non-profits meet the needs of those they serve. We have been supporting MCSI in doing this with over $100,000 in the last five years.”

“We want to expand what MCSI does to serve more people in a way that connects them to the wonderful programs and services located in Marlborough.” Mina said.

Looking ahead, Kerr commented that Carol Phipps will continue to manage the food pantry in Marlborough, assisted by an impressive number of volunteers, some of whom have been with the agency for over 14 years. Fatinha Kerr will take on the position of Director of Food Security Initiatives for UWTC. Present MCSI board members, Amy Katsis of Caldwell Banker Real Estate, and John Gagne of Price Chopper Supermarkets, will be named to the Board of Directors of the United Way of Tri-County and an advisory committee comprised of other remaining MCSI Board  members will continue to represent client needs in Marlborough.

“This is a very exciting transition for our organizations. Going forward as part United Way’s new Food Security Initiative, MCSI services will remain uninterrupted and hopefully expand and improve,” said Kerr. “It is very reassuring to know that consumers will still be served, even as we face continued economic downtrends. On a personal level, I look forward to being part of the  UWTC team, knowing that they also share my passion of service to people that are experiencing difficult times."

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