News

Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.

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Statement on Racial Injustice

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.

More Than Half of State Legislators Urge Inclusion of Fuel Assistance in State FY 20 Supplemental Budget

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. 

Federal Home Heating Aid Not Meeting Families’ Needs, Lawmakers Warn

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.

MASSCAP and Community Action Agencies Launch Annual Volunteer Free Tax Preparation Program that Aids Low Income Families

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).

Public Programs Cut Child Poverty by More than Half, According to Recent Report on Poverty in Massachusetts. Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty on the South Coast

Effective programs that help families to make ends meet, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, SNAP, fuel assistance, school lunches, Head Start, and Social Security cut the number of people in Massachusetts living in poverty by almost half and reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to a new report on poverty called “Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Together.” The report was commissioned by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and written by Nancy Wagman, Kids Count Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget).

Statement on Allocation by the Baker Administration of $19M for Fuel Assistance

We very much appreciate and are grateful to our elected officials – our legislators and the governor – for being so responsive and sensitive to the needs of our vulnerable friends and neighbors living with low-incomes and struggling with high energy burdens which are a drain on their limited resources and threaten their health and safety.

Community groups seek larger role in fighting poverty

As Reported by Kaitlyn Budoin and Michael P. Norton/ State House News Service:

Community action groups often associated with getting heating assistance to people who need it want the Legislature to give them a broader mission that reflects their efforts in areas like food assistance and financial literacy.

Households Continue to Struggle to Heat Their Homes

Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil

 With bitter temperatures gripping the nation including New England, there is serious concern for the health and well-bring of low-income households – especially those that heat with oil.

MASSCAP and Community Action Agencies Launch Annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program that Aids Low Income Families

Earned Income Tax Awareness Day

The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and the Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) today were joined by Senator Dean Tran (Worcester and Middlesex), Representative Stephan Hay (3rd Worcester), Representative Natalie Higgins (4th Worcester, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen Dinatale, Everett Handford, State Outreach Director & Regional Director, U.S.

FUEL ASSISTANCE IS PERSONAL

As published on Item Live, powered by Daily News:

At Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO), our work is about people and relationships.

MASSCAP Held Press Conference on Call for Supplemental Fuel Assistance Funds to Avoid Public Health & Safety Crisis

Federal Allocation Reduced by $11 million
Households Will Run Out of Home Heating Oil by end of January

The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) held a press conference this morning on the steps of the State House in order to continue to urge Governor Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts legislature to include $30 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next FY 19 Supplemental Budget. 

MASSCAP Requests Additional Fuel Assistance Funds for 48,000 Vulnerable Massachusetts Families Expected to Run Out of Benefit by Mid-January

Association Requests $30 Million in the FY 19 Supplemental Budget to Head Off Public Health, Safety Crisis

The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) is urging Governor Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts legislature to include $30 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next FY 19 Supplemental Budget.