Community Corner
Worcester Honors Former Friendly House Leader With 'Gordon Hargrove Way'
The street designation covers Thorne Street from Wall Street to Plantation Street.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester has added Gordon Hargrove’s name to a street outside the organization he led for decades.
The city recently unveiled "Gordon Hargrove Way" on Thorne Street near Friendly House, honoring the longtime former executive director who helped expand the Worcester nonprofit’s work in social services, youth programming, food access, and emergency shelter.
State Sen. Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester) highlighted the dedication Tuesday, saying Hargrove’s legacy will continue in both Friendly House programs and the street bearing his name.
The honorary street designation covers Thorne Street from Wall Street to Plantation Street, according to Worcester City Council documents. The request was filed by Councilors Gary Rosen and Robert Bilotta and recommended by the City Council’s Public Works Committee in April.
Hargrove began volunteering with Friendly House youth programs in 1957 and became executive director in 1969, the organization said. He led Friendly House for about six decades as it grew into a multi-service neighborhood center.
Friendly House first opened in 1920 as a three-room settlement house serving Worcester immigrants and neighborhood families, according to the organization. Today, the nonprofit provides food pantry access, social services, youth programs, shelter and housing support from its Wall Street location.
Hargrove retired in 2022 after 65 years with the organization, according to Spectrum News 1.
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