Grantee Partner Spotlight

PSNNC

Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center

photo of a group of people standing outside in front of a house; five children are in front with one holding a sign that says 'Unity and Peace' and two other signs visible in the background that both say 'Ending Violence Together'
A group of mothers in the neighborhood respond to local gun-related violence.

“I was born and raised in Worcester, in the Pleasant Street neighborhood,” says Adriana Ojeda-Joslyn. “This is where I started my career, where I’ve raised my three children and fought for the resources they needed, and where I’ve always been proud to give back by working in social services. Now, I’m the lead organizer and executive director of PSNNC — the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center — and it feels like it’s all come full-circle.”

PSNNC was founded by a group of Pleasant-Piedmont area residents in 1997, nearly 30 years ago, but a lot of changes were set in motion when Adriana took over in 2022. The building they rented had only ever been used for evening meetings, and there was no heat, no comfortable space for hanging out, and no computers.

“We needed a place for connection — for young people and new neighbors who’ve just arrived,” Adriana explains. “We realized we had a brick and mortar space we could be using more effectively, a home outside of the home. Now, we are the community living room!”

“People stop by to warm up, have a snack, play cards, charge their phone, or send a fax,” she continues. “The things we do are often small but impactful. Someone can sit here for two hours just to have a place to belong or some room to breathe, whether that’s an elderly person who’s been feeling cooped up or a young person who just needs time out on their own.”

The changes at PSNNC have been continuous over the past two years, including a remodel that is currently underway and a stronger emphasis on youth development. Just this past spring, PSNNC took over the administration of Cultural Exchange through Soccer (CETS), a multicultural program that brings together diverse groups of Worcester kids ages 6 to 18, year-round, to share their passion for soccer and learn about teamwork and leadership.

The beloved program had a two-decade history of bridge-building and youth empowerment, but it came with a challenge: hosting the annual Worcester World Cup. Coordinating the movements of roughly 2,200 players (adults and youth), fans, volunteers, vendors, and musicians for this three-day event takes nearly a full year of planning. Teams represent 16 countries and all walks of life, and though all the players are Worcester residents, at least half of each team must descend from that country. As they compete at Worcester’s 4,000-seat Foley Stadium, they’re also raising money for CETS, making lifelong connections, and giving their friends and neighbors an occasion to celebrate their former home countries and share the food and music of other cultures.

“It’s a proud tradition and an awesome celebration of Worcester’s multiculturalism,” says Adriana. “And the beautiful thing about soccer is that it’s known and loved in almost every culture, so it overcomes the language barrier.”

photo of 8 boys outside wearing the same shirts and medals, one holding a trophy, with arms around each other, posing and looking at the camera with an adult man standing behind them
CETS players celebrate a win.

Basketball, music, and arts programs at PSNNC also help bridge cultural and linguistic divides. Adriana makes a point of planning inclusive events, such as a winter solstice celebration, volunteer clean-up days in local parks, and a group project creating a map of Indigenous tribes in Massachusetts.

With more young people involved now, PSNNC has created a Youth Advisory Council, comprised of four members this year. Council members meet twice a month during the nine-month school year, with a goal of building capacity and creating a local advocacy “zine” that they self-publish three times per year. Adriana comments that the young members’ energy and tech skills have been instrumental in the organization’s outreach and growth.

“We’ve created a hub,” she says. “Last year, more than 600 residents came to the Center for services. We have an annual block party now, too, where you’re likely to hear dozens of languages being spoken among the 200 or so attendees. And the remodel will make our space even more inviting, with better access for wheelchairs and walkers and quiet spaces for neurodivergent people. There will also be privacy pods for telehealth appointments or other private phone calls or meetings.”

three people looking at a lit up table that looks like a replica of a city neighborhood
Volunteers in the newly renovated Urban Room with a replica of the neighborhood created by a local college student.

All the recent changes are resident-informed and led, instigated by brainstorms and concerns voiced at the monthly Pleasant Street Area Community Team (PACT) meeting. “At first, I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Adriana says. “I haven’t had much formal education, but I looked for opportunities and had supportive female mentors who helped me along the way, as well as professional development from the Lenny Zakim Fund more recently. Also, we just received funding for a board retreat that will help us with capacity building.”

Adriana’s first job was in a small community center, and she recalls thinking of ideas for what she would do “if she ever had her own community center.” She wanted to teach people how to fish, as the saying goes, and she had a vision of a welcoming space where neighbors could get to know the people they see at shops and in the parks every day.

“Now, looking back, it feels like Did I really do that?” she laughs. “People have known me in this city for over 20 years, and now they’re stopping and congratulating me on the street. It feels really good. The impact PSNNC has is not just positive, but collective.”


PSNNC is growing quickly and seeking new community partners, funders, donors, and volunteers, particularly those who can help with managing growth, board development, and tech support. If you’d like to get involved, please use the PSNNC contact page or write to psnnc@psnnc.org.