Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with LEO 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.
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).
MASSCAP Calls for Its Reversal
Is it possible to succeed as a legal immigrant if you are faced with a regulation designed to cause you to fail?
One Holyoke family is now finally able to make the down payment on their first home. This family with 2 young children and 2 working parents who have been saving for some time left the Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site smiling.
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.
As Reported by Crystal Haynes, Boston 25 News:
BOSTON – Families living on tight budgets are facing another tough week with brutal wind chills and snow in the forecast.
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.
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
Advocates have urged the Governor to provide $30M in supplemental Fuel Assistance Resources to meet the immediate need of vulnerable households across the Commonwealth to stay safe and warm this winter.
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.
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.
As Reported by Paula J. Owen, The Worcester Telegram:
With all the benefits the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) brings to families, if EITC were a drug, it would be available in every pharmacy across the state, says Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, executive director of Children’s Healthwatch.
Households Will Run Out of Home Heating Oil by end of January
The severe winter that we knew was coming is now here.
As Reported by Dick Lindsay, The Berkshire Eagle:
Gov. Charlie Baker should kick in $30 million in state money to help struggling households pay their heating bills this winter.
As reported by Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, The Berkshire Eagle:
WILLIAMSTOWN —When State Rep. Paul Mark was 12-years-old, his father was laid off on Christmas Eve.
As published on Item Live, powered by Daily News:
At Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO), our work is about people and relationships.
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.
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.
As Reported by Scott Stafford, The Berkshire Eagle:
With the winter season bearing down on the Berkshires, the federal allotment that provides heating aid for lower income families has been cut by more than $11 million from last year’s allocation.
As Reported by Deb Allard, The Herald News, Fall River:
With winter on the way, Citizens for Citizens Inc.
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with Citizens for Citizens and the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts, will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign on heating help including fuel assistance and energy efficiency programs in advance of the cold weather.
As Reported by Taylor Knight, 22WLLP News:
A new study recently released by MassBudget found that some of the poorest communities are located in the Pioneer Valley.
As Reported by Diane Lederman, MassLive/Springfield Republican:
Thinking about health care beyond the doctor’s office, offering smaller buses to reach rural residents and stepping out of silos to work collaboratively across the Pioneer Valley were some of the suggestions offered to address poverty and inequality raised in a recent statewide report.
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).
As Reported by The Telegram:
U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern said he was glad to be in Worcester Friday – where more than half of city children are near or below the federal poverty threshold – rather than continue to hear from legislators he said were out of touch with the needs of the poor.
As Reported by Chandler Walsh, Charter TV 3:
Public Programs Cut Child Poverty by More than Half, According to New Report on Poverty in Massachusetts
Report Commissioned by MASSCAP and Written by MassBudget Looks at “Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Together”
Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty in Greater Worcester
Congressman McGovern Stresses the Fundamental Importance of Making Our Voices Heard
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).
Please Sign Up to Volunteer Here
Please sign up to volunteer at sites in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to help people in need.
As Reported Live by Chris Lovett on BNN: Interview with Joe Diamond, MASSCAP
After 40 years in Community Action and 32 years as Executive Director, Bruce Morell is retiring from People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE).
As Reported by Jill Terreri Ramos, Boston Globe Correspondent:
Poverty is not very visible among Quincy’s newly built apartments and condominiums and increasingly expensive single-family homes.
