The New England Dream Center was launched in 2006 by Reverend Will Bard. The center was birthed out of a desire to impact lives by going beyond the traditional scope of helping people in order to make a lasting difference in the community. Branching out from its origins in foster care, and care for the neurologically challenged, the Dream Center today provides care for hundreds of people facing numerous challenges, the biggest of which is unemployment. By providing care in the form of children’s programs, care for elders and the neurologically challenged, counseling, tradesman and salon training, grooming, English language classes and interview preparation the Dream Center aims to cover all areas of finding lasting employment. Supported by the passion and the giving spirit of numerous amazing people he has surrounded himself with at the Dream Center, Bard has built an almost totally self-sufficient center, a feat not accomplished by most non-profits.
Pastor Will grew up in a family that gave what little they had to those around them and asked for nothing in return. The New England Dream Center is built on that same foundation, giving all that they have with no expectations of return. It is because of that philosophy that so much of its support now comes from its alumni [that so many of its alumni stay to help in any way that they can]. The Dream Center isn't just a path away from unemployment – it's a route to lasting and meaningful success in all areas of a person's life.
The physical site of the New England Dream Center is an impressive church in the heart of Worcester Massachusetts with a history similar to that of the people the Center serves. In its heyday during the 19th century, the Cathedral was known as the "Protestant Cathedral of Worcester" and was listed as so on the National Registry of Historical Sites. It was a sanctuary to thousands of worshippers and an exact 1/5 replica of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. By the mid 20th century the congregation had stopped meeting within its hallowed halls and the building fell into disrepair. A businessman purchased the building and it remained vacant for twenty five years. It was slated for demolition in September of 2004.
Just months before it was to be brought down, Pastor Will Bard and the congregation of Liberty Churches stepped in and with the help of Preservation Worcester purchased the building and thereby saved it from demolition. With the help of hundreds of volunteers the structure was rebuilt and restored it to its former splendor. It now serves as the main facility of the Dream Center. In the latest phase of fully restoring the striking building, Pat Lanza donated $30,000 in 2009 to have it power washed. The brightened building now stands as an impressive monument to the power of giving and a perfect example of the rejuvenating work being done [going on] inside its walls.
