Worcester is a great city full of art, culture, music, food and opportunity. Whether you’re from the city, returning after summer break or coming here for the first time, we’ve got everything you need to survive in Worcester. Check out tips from college students, resources and places to go on a budget — it’s time to get to know the Woo!

Worcester has increasingly become known as the epicenter for equality in Central Massachusetts. Home to large immigrant populations, LGBT asylum seekers and a popular annual Pride festival, Worcester is well-known for earning 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

Worcester Pride is held each year throughout September. Although Pride Month is officially recognized in June, Worcester has ultimately decided to hold the festivities in September to allow all members of the college community to participate.

A spokesperson for Worcester Pride said, “The month of June is very crowded with Pride events across New England, so the committee decided to create a unique identity for Worcester by moving Pride Week to September. This also allows us to involve the large college community in Worcester County. Worcester Pride celebrates the community with events every month all year.”

Worcester Pride week is jam-packed with fun events, parades and celebrations for those of all ages. Some of the events include crosswalk painting, a flag raising at city hall and even a drag pageant! Worcester Pride contributes to a sense of safety and community among the LGBTQIA+ minority within the city and will remain an important staple of the city’s culture.

More recently, the Digital Transgender Archive, located at Holy Cross College, is attempting to collect records, in collaboration with more than 50 other colleges and universities, regarding transgender history. This international project was born out of researchers many challenges in obtaining information across different networks. This collaborative project showcases the shift in public opinion regarding transgender rights and forms a comprehensive record system. Focusing on materials predating 2000, The Digital Transgender Archive hopes to inform the public and create a more accepting and welcoming environment within Worcester.

Pastor Judy Hanlon, of Worcester’s Hadwen Park Congregational Church, has been fighting for oppressed groups’ representation for more than 20 years. “We’ve always looked out for the vulnerable, the oppressed, as we believe Jesus did.” Pastor Hanlon welcomes LGBT individuals with open arms; she has even marched at the Statehouse and spoken to the legislature regarding marriage equality.

Within the past few years, Hadwen Park has become increasingly well-known for its LGBT Asylum Task Force, which houses and feeds LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers from across the world. “

We house them in a place they can be out, so they don’t have to experience the closeting they experienced in their home country. We (also) give them stipend that will pay for a cell phone and buy food,” Hanlon said.

The church hopes to eventually to purchase a house in Worcester to create a permanent home for asylum seekers and will be holding a gala to raise money for the cause at The DCU Center on Oct. 27.

As immigration remains an important issue on Americans’ minds, Worcester continues to do its part and fight for those who don’t have a voice. The Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center in Worcester focuses on providing immigrants and refugees with a variety of helpful services, classes and aid throughout their journey to becoming citizens.

Moira Lucey works for the RIAC and knows the importance of the services the organization offers. “Worcester is a very diverse community, and so it’s very welcoming in terms of new families. This also means that when people come, there has already been community established here.”

The RIAC focuses on creating a network of individuals in order to help as many people as possible. The organization’s newest effort is in collaboration with several networks of English as a Second Language providers and has gained “navigator status.” This means that some of the organization’s staff will meet weekly at Worcester’s main library and will be available for anybody who wants more information about English-learning programs in the city. For more information, visit riacboston.org.

Worcester has continually proven itself to be a welcoming community. Time after time, it has grown and changed with the times, and that’s what we love about this city!

Owen Meyer