Ronald M. Ansin (left) and Daniel Asquino, president of Mount Wachusett Community College, (right) who were both judges in the selection process, congratulate Pete Cormier, executive director of Sterling Music Exchange, for winning a $2,000 award from Community Builders in MWCC Business Plan Competition.

For Release (November 27, 2006) – Sterling Music Exchange’s business plan struck the right chord for Community Builders, who recently awarded the organization $2000 for their innovative music program aimed at adolescents who are being treated for emotional problems and/or depression.

The special prize was one of four given through Mount Wachusett Community College’s Business Plan Competition, which asked for individuals, businesses and organizations to submit business plans that would launch or expand a business or community initiative.

“We encourage businesses to integrate a volunteer component in their plans,” noted Karin Oliveira, coordinator for Community Builders, which is a partnership between the college, United Way of North Central Massachusetts and ASHOKA to promote volunteerism.

Pete Cormier, founder of Sterling Music Exchange, wants his new program “to enhance the self-esteem and self-confidence of adolescents who for a variety of reasons find themselves in a situation that warrants counseling, outpatient therapy or residency in a group home situation.”

Students who are accepted will take 30-minute lessons for eight weeks. Those who meet the requirements, which also include taking care of the instrument and practicing, will receive a framed certificate and a guitar as a gift. The goal is to use volunteers to teach the musical lessons.

Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts’, gives the board of directors a tour of the 5,000 square feet of donated warehouse space by Fosta-Tek in Leominster for their Product Philanthropy Program. The United Way program provides donated products, such as paper, office equipment and computers, from local and Fortune 500 companies, at no cost or significant savings to local nonprofit agencies.