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

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Public Programs Cut Child Poverty by More than Half, According to New Report on Poverty in Massachusetts: Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty in the Pioneer Valley

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).

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).

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.

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).

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).

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).

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.

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).

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.