Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
Home Energy Assistance Available November 1!
Today, MASSCAP, Self Help Inc., along with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), launched its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts households are able to stay safe, warm and healthy this winter.
As reported by Kathryn Carley, Public News Service:
As reported by Kathryn Carley, Public News Service:
Community service agencies say requests for home heating assistance were increasing even before National Grid – the power company that serves many in the area – announced energy prices could jump nearly 60% by November 1.
Forum Looks at the Way Forward to Equity and Opportunity in Essex County
Financial assistance during the pandemic such as expanded unemployment benefits, expansion and extension of the child tax credit, and additional SNAP benefits all contributed to direct reductions in poverty and racial disparities.
As reported by Kathryn Carley, Public News Service:
As reported by Mike Moen, Public News Service:
When it comes to “green jobs,” installing solar panels and building wind turbines are often mentioned, and community action agencies in Massachusetts said the field has other career paths, including teams who do key work inside a person’s home.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
May is Community Action Month, and Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts are raising awareness about the wraparound services they provide to low-income residents.
Joe Diamond, E.D. of MASSCAP & Nancy Wagman, Research & KIDS Count Director at MassBudget join Good Trouble to give the historical context in equity here in the Commonwealth.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
A program in Massachusetts aims to provide training on trauma-informed care for early educators.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
A new report shows financial supports made available in the pandemic have led to a direct reduction in poverty in Massachusetts.
Lessons Learned to Help Families Moving Along the Road to Opportunity in Massachusetts
Financial assistance during the pandemic such as expanded unemployment benefits, expansion and extension of the child tax credit, and additional SNAP benefits all contributed to direct reductions in poverty and racial disparities.
· Earned Income Tax Awareness Day ·
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with Berkshire Community Action Council were joined by Congressman Richard Neal, Senator Adam Hinds, and Representative John Barrett III among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
With tax season underway, Massachusetts groups are raising awareness about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), an IRS-sponsored program to help people file their income taxes correctly and maximize their refunds.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
As cold weather moves in, agencies are working to make sure Massachusetts residents know how to apply for fuel assistance and weatherization, if they think they might struggle with their heating bills this winter.
A Focus on the Home Energy Assistance Program
MASSCAP, along with Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
With the school year in full swing for Massachusetts K-through-12 students, many parents are seeking early-childhood education and care for their younger kids.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
Community Action Agencies applauded the Massachusetts General Court for its commitments to anti-poverty efforts in the 2022 state budget, and urged Gov.
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
Community Action Agencies say $5 million in the House version of the Massachusetts state budget next year would go a long way toward helping the most vulnerable communities recover from the pandemic.
· Earned Income Tax Awareness Day ·
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the 23 Community Action Agencies in the state were joined by Congressman Richard Neal, and Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Natalie Blais among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with Action Inc., the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Where: Livestream on MASSCAP YouTube Channel
When: October 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
SPEAKERS:
Senator Bruce Tarr
Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
Peggy Hegarty-Steck, Executive Director, Action Inc.
MASSCAP and Boston Tax Coalition Launch Pilot
Preparing and filing tax returns bring everyone stress annually, especially those living with low incomes, and especially during a time of crisis when it is harder to access services.
Affirming our Core Values
Community Action has always stood for and advanced the promise of equal opportunity for all. The horrific death of George Floyd this past week brings into sharp focus how far we have to go as a society to address the social and economic inequality that persist as historic impediments to the kind of fair, open, just, and inclusive country that fosters belonging not exclusion, that we aspire to be.
Finding Innovative Ways to Continue to Serve Both New and Existing Families
Visit masscap.org to find your local Community Action Agency
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
Check out our NEW video series: Service & Recovery in the time of COVID-19
Updated 4/7/20
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
Thousands of Households To Be Helped Immediately
On behalf of thousands of vulnerable households struggling with their energy burden across the Commonwealth, we thank Chairman Michlewitz and the House Ways and Means Committee for drafting a supplemental budget that includes $15M for Fuel Assistance.
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
Advocates Call for Formal Federal/State Partnership
In response to a second consecutive reduction in federal fuel assistance resources legislators in the Senate led by Senators Hinds and Tarr, and in the House, led by Representatives Mark and Wong, joined last week by more than half of their colleagues, urged budget writers in both chambers to include $15 million for fuel assistance in the FY20 Supplemental Budget.
A Partnership with The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
During MASSCAP’s annual public policy briefing earlier this week at the State House, READYGO, a new early education and care workforce development initiative made possible through The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM), was announced.
As Reported by Chris Lisinski, State House News:
Additional $15M In New State Heating Aid Sought
Thousands of Massachusetts families risk running out of heating oil this winter without additional assistance from the state, an advocate warned Wednesday as lawmakers began pushing for new funding to augment federal aid.
Earned Income Tax Awareness Day · Celebrating 50 years of VITA
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) were joined by Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Marjorie Decker, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and the Deputy Treasurer Alayna Van Tassel among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and celebrating 50 years of this critical program as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
