Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
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.
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?
We will kickoff the start of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for the 2017 tax preparation season.
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.
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.
As reported by Jonathan Dame, Daily News:
FRAMINGHAM – An improved economy may mean fewer households are tapping into the financial help for winter heating bills, but questions about eligibility might be playing a role.
On October 27, 2017, the Massachusetts Association of Community Action (MASSCAP), along with several community action agencies, launched a statewide awareness campaign on fuel assistance in advance of the cold weather.
Community Action Agencies stand ready to help families who have come here from Puerto Rico. Visit our Agencies page to find your local agency.
As reported by AFAMPOV:
The staff at Springfield Partners has found a delicious way to celebrate the success of Paul Boyd, one of our Individual Development Account graduates.
After 23 years at the helm of South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC), Patricia Daly is retiring in June.
As reported by Sara Brown, Sampan:
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) celebrated the opening of its new Head Start center serving Boston’s Chinatown and South End on May 1.
NEW BEDFORD — People Acting in Community Endeavors Inc. will receive a Head Start State Supplemental Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) for Fiscal Year 2018, Rep.
As written in Press Release, Essex County Community Foundation:
Gail Souther is the first person you’ll meet when you walk through the doors at Community Action, Inc., located at 3 Washington Square, a multilevel brick building in downtown Haverhill that could be considered a relic by modern standards.
As reported by Jesse Collins, Wicked Local Bedford:
President Donald Trump’s federal budget proposal that was announced on March 16 has social service providers reeling.
As Reported by Gerry Tuoti, Wicked Local Newsbank Editor, Wicked Local Newburyport:
Social services providers, environmental advocates and others warn that Massachusetts would suffer dire effects under President Donald Trump’s budget proposal.
Statement from Joe Diamond, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, In Response to Proposed Federal Budget Blueprint
“Cutting the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) will not only adversely affect thousands of residents of Massachusetts but will also remove millions of dollars from communities across the Commonwealth.
As reported by Sampan:
The forecast of frigid sub-zero temps, more snow and ice storms indicate that this unpredictable yet frigid winter is far from over.
As reported by the Boston Business Journal:
The state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced $7.9 million in workforce training fund grants to 111 Massachusetts companies, saying the funds will be used to train 5,243 workers and create an expected 522 new jobs.
As reported by Kathleen McKiernan, The Boston Herald:
Fearing federal cuts to Head Start, Action for Boston Community Development has launched a lobbying effort to fight for the early education program for low-income children and families.
As reported by The Berkshire Eagle:
Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Berkshire Community Action Council, with support from Berkshire United Way, will offer free filing of 2016 federal and state income taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, now through Sunday, April 16.
As reported by SAMPAN:
ABCD will celebrate the opening of its new Head Start center serving Boston’s Chinatown and South End communities on February 22from 10:30 am to 12 noon.
A Breakfast Briefing on Poverty & Opportunity
A Review of MASSCAP’s Public Policy Priorities
When: February 2, 2017 10:30 a.m.
As reported by Boston Herald:
A longtime champion of services to those in need — who helped build and expand the South Shore Community Action Council — was honored yesterday by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.
As reported by Sy Becker, 22 News WWLP:
Free help is available for thousands of families that need to file their taxes.
Join us along with federal, state and local elected and appointed officials as well as Community Action Agencies and local partners to help kick off the start of the 2017 tax season (for the 2016 tax year) on Friday, January 27 at 10:30 a.m.
As reported by Thor Jourgensen, Item Live:
With a part-time income barely covering her rent, Jennifer Caruso came to Lynn Economic Opportunity on Thursday to get heating assistance.
As reported by John Lynds, East Boston Times-Free Press:
As the weather gets colder Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Energy Programs Director Kathy Tobin expects more residents will be signing up for the annual Fuel Assistance Program at ABCD’s Meridian Street APAC office.
As reported by Jonathan Dame, Wicked Local Newton:
Electricity generated at one of the city’s solar arrays will help low-income Newton residents save on their energy bills through a first-of-its-kind program unveiled Wednesday, officials said.
As reported by Wicked Local Plymouth:
PLYMOUTH – South Shore Community Action Council recently hosted a Japanese reporter from Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese daily newspaper with bureaus across the globe, including offices in New York and Washington D.C.
