Owner, Sara's Auto Sales · Community Leader & Public Servant · Worcester, MA
Jessica Sarita remembers standing in line for food as a child, including, she laughs, "that delicious American yellow cheese."
She was raised by a single mother who did not speak English, in a family that relied on cash assistance, food stamps, housing support, and Medicaid to get by. Today, Jessica is a business owner, a public servant, a wife, a mother of six, and one of Worcester's most dedicated community leaders. On November 14 at Knights, Crowns & Community, For One Child Foundation will honor her with the 2026 Crown of Impact Award.
"I was once the child who needed these very programs, services, and resources," she says. "I don't just understand the challenges people face through my work; I've lived them."
Service as a Way of Life
Professionally, Jessica serves as Assistant Director for a Commonwealth of Massachusetts program that helps nursing home residents move back into the community, with the services they need to live full, independent lives. That work has shaped her whole philosophy of service.
"Service is not about assuming we know what someone needs, but about listening, meeting people where they are, and empowering them to reach their fullest potential," she explains. "Behind every need is a person with a story, dreams, and the desire to be seen and heard."
Her community footprint is wide. A former president and current member of the Main South Business Association, she works alongside minority-owned businesses to strengthen the neighborhood. She is involved with The WellStorm Inc., the Manny Familia 267 Foundation, the Dominican Marketplace, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Worcester program, the Shrewsbury Mastermind Group, Spirit of Shrewsbury, Worcester Public Schools' family and community engagement initiatives, the Worcester Technical High School Council, and the Gates Lane PTO. In 2020, she was honored as a Commonwealth Latinx Trailblazer.
Why For One Child
Jessica met Founder Racquel Knight a few years ago, when Racquel moderated a Woostapreneurs panel at Holy Cross that Jessica sat on. "That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship," she says, and the start of her work with For One Child.
The mission hits close to home. "Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances," Jessica says. "Education is more than just academics; it builds confidence, opens doors, and empowers children to envision a future beyond their current circumstances."
Breaking Cycles, Making Memories
Ask Jessica what she does for fun and she'll tell you about her husband Jose, their four daughters and two sons, music, dancing, and travel, especially Disney Cruises. She is, by her own admission, a HUGE Disney fan.
There is meaning behind it. "Growing up, my mom couldn't afford to take us on vacations," she says. So now, every year, Jessica sends her mother on a vacation for her birthday. "It's about creating experiences, breaking cycles, and giving my family opportunities that weren't always available to me growing up."
Her flowers, without question, go to her mother: "for showing me what strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love look like. The woman I am today is a reflection of the foundation she built."
"Never forget where you came from, and always remember that your purpose is bigger than yourself." — Jessica's guiding words
What This Crown Means
"To me, the Crown of Impact is a reminder that our circumstances do not define our future, and that our experiences can become the very reason we are called to serve others," Jessica says. "It's not the finish line. It's a reminder of the responsibility and privilege that come with making an impact. When we are given the opportunity to make a difference, we should always reach back and bring someone else forward."
Her Advice
"Start by asking one person or a local organization how you can assist them."
The Legacy She's Building
"I want my children to see that success is not measured by what you achieve for yourself, but by how many lives you touch along the way. My greatest hope is to break barriers, open doors, and leave every space, person, and community I encounter a little better than I found it."
We'll celebrate Jessica at Knights, Crowns & Community on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Thank you to everyone joining us for a sold-out evening honoring the people investing in the next generation.
For One Child Foundation: Empowering Education. Transforming Lives.