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).
News
Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
Poverty topic of community action council forum at Mechanics Hall
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.
Forum on Poverty: Charter TV 3 News
As Reported by Chandler Walsh, Charter TV 3:
Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty in Greater Worcester
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).
Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund
Please Sign Up to Volunteer Here
Please sign up to volunteer at sites in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to help people in need.
Report Sets Anti-Poverty Agenda
As Reported Live by Chris Lovett on BNN: Interview with Joe Diamond, MASSCAP
Celebrating Bruce Morell: Community Action in Action in Greater New Bedford
After 40 years in Community Action and 32 years as Executive Director, Bruce Morell is retiring from People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE).
Quincy is changing, but poverty hangs on
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.
Despite booming economy, poverty persists on South Shore
As reported by Neal Simpson, Patriot Ledger:
Times are good on the South Shore: The economy is booming, growing companies are scrambling to find enough workers and the unemployment rate is hovering somewhere under 3 percent.
Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty in Quincy and South Shore
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”
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 I See It: A way forward on a road to opportunity
An opinion piece in the Worcester Telegram, written by Jill C. Dagilis, WCAC:
How does a community pave a road to economic opportunity and self-sufficiency for area residents?
Fighting poverty as federal aid dwindles
As reported by Keith Eddings, The Eagle-Tribune:
Leaders of several of the region’s anti-poverty programs on Tuesday predicted a dire future for the poor as President Trump and Congress begin cutting funding for the programs to pay for the tax cut they recently enacted that could reduce federal revenue by $1.5 trillion over a decade.
Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty in Lawrence
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 Lawrence
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).
Panel analyzes ways to increase opportunities through wages and social programs
As reported by Jordan Frias, Spare Change News:
A report outlining the effects of social programs and removing barriers for low-income individuals and families was discussed at a recent panel discussion hosted by Action for Boston Community Development in Dorchester.
Report Shows Head Start And School Lunch Programs Help Reduce Poverty Among Massachusetts Children
As Reported by Marilyn Schairer, Producer, Morning Edition:
A new report says that while public programs such as food stamps and Head Start help many families make ends meet, one in three children in Massachusetts are living in poverty.
Mass. poverty levels halved by assistance programs, says report
As reported by Paige Smith, Boston Business Journal:
Massachusetts poverty levels would double if not for assistance programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a study by two local nonprofits.
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”
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).
Report Eyes Pathways Out of Poverty
As reported live by Chris Lovett at BNN; Interview with Sharon Scott-Chandler, ABCD, and Joe Diamond, MASSCAP
Community Action rebrands itself
As reported by Steve Pfarrer, Greenfield Recorder, February 19, 2018:
With a new year — and new challenges — ahead, the Pioneer Valley’s premier anti-poverty agency has revised its name and logo to make sure its mission is clear, both to people it assists and to western Massachusetts residents in general.
Press Release: In Response to Proposed FY19 Federal Budget Blueprint
Statement from Joe Diamond, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, In Response to Proposed Federal Budget Blueprint:
“The budget proposed by the Trump administration is a cruel one, especially in light of the new tax law that in almost every way favors the rich.
Sober support program expands amid rise in alcohol abuse
As reported by Joann MacKenzie, Staff Writer, Gloucester Times:
In a recent community needs assessment conducted by local health officials and other stakeholders, alcohol, not opioids, emerged as a greater issue, says Jennifer Beloff, director of Action Inc.’s Client and Housing Services.
MASSCAP Public Policy Briefing February 6, 2018
A Breakfast Briefing on Poverty & Opportunity
A Review of MASSCAP’s Public Policy Priorities
When: February 6, 2018 10:30 a.m.
Proclamation from Governor: VITA and EITC Day January 26, 2018
Community Action Agencies and MASSCAP Kick Off Tax Season with 2018 Launch of Volunteer Tax Assistance Program that Aids Low Income Families
Full Press Release – English
Full Press Release – Spanish
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council today joined State Senator Barbara L’Italien (D – Andover), State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D – Newburyport), State Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D – Methuen), State Representative Diana DiZoglio (D – Methuen), State Representative Juana Matias (D – Lawrence), and State Representative Frank Moran (D – Lawrence) in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual volunteer tax assistance program (VITA).
MASSCAP Live on Centro on WBZ
Watch MASSCAP Executive Director, Joe Diamond, on Centro.
You can watch in English or in Spanish and learn about MASSCAP’s mission to end poverty.
MASSCAP Requests Additional Fuel Assistance Funds for Vulnerable Massachusetts Families
Click here for full Press Release.
Click here for Letter to Governor Baker
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) is urging Governor Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts legislature to include $25 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next FY 18 Supplemental Budget.
A Must Watch: Community Impact, Worcester Community Action Council
Everyone needs help at some point in their life. Have you ever had someone help you? Giving you that chance to succeed… someone who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself?
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) Statewide Kickoff Scheduled for January 26
We will kickoff the start of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for the 2017 tax preparation season.
After uncertainty, Massachusetts gets heating assistance funds
As reported by Brian Benson, Daily News Staff, and Gerry Tuoti, Wicked Local Newsbank Editor:
Despite threats that funding would be eliminated in President Donald Trump’s preliminary budget, the state’s home heating program will continue to keep low-income families warm this year, just as temperatures are beginning to drop.
Sixty-one organizations join the 2018 Your Money, Your Goals cohort (including MASSCAP)
As reported by By Patty Avery and Yuliya Rzad, CFPB:
We’re working to expand the reach of Your Money, Your Goals to more people across the country with the help of our new 2018 Your Money, Your Goals cohort organizations.