Congrats Mayor Wu, Brianna Millor; CTC must continue; toy drive goal reached!

December 2021

News & Updates

ABCD LOOKS FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH MAYOR MICHELLE WU, LAUDS APPOINTMENT OF BRIANNA MILLOR AS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHIEF

During her seven years as a Boston City Councilor, Michelle Wu led the advancement of issues that aligned with the ABCD mission and daily operations. As she gets down to the work of being mayor, we anticipate countless opportunities to join forces for the betterment of under-resourced residents and for Boston overall.

As the first elected woman and first Asian American mayor of Boston, Mayor Wu garnered significant support from a wide range of groups in every Boston neighborhood — African Americans, Latinx, Asians and Asian Americans, students, seniors, and others. This winning constituency looks like the ABCD community: the more than 100,000 low income people coming through our many doors each year, as well as our staff and board members.

SUCCESSFUL CHILD TAX CREDIT PROGRAM MUST CONTINUE

Millions of children lifted out of poverty once more face harsh conditions

The significant and historic Child Tax Credit that this year lifted more than 3.6 million children in America out of poverty must be extended beyond December 2021.

“On behalf of the millions of families and children who will be losing this life-saving benefit in January, we beg the U.S. Congress to do whatever it takes, including separating the CTC from other legislation as is often done for defense and other programs. Continue it for at least another year instead of pulling the rug out from under so many families struggling economically, so many children going to bed hungry,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AWARDS ABCD $250,000 TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY OPERATIONS

ABCD is proud to announce that we have been awarded $250,000 from the Office of Community Services, an Office of the Administration for Children and Families. This funding will be used to launch the GoodBEANS program (Building Efficiency and Access in Nutritious Services), which is designed to bring more food to those in need by strengthening our food systems.

SHARON SCOTT-CHANDLER ADDRESSES BOSTON CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF AN ELECTED SCHOOL COMMITTEE

After Boston voters overwhelmingly supported returning to an elected school committee, with the non-binding ballot measure passing with 78.7 percent of the vote, the City Council’s Committee on Government Operations heard public testimony. ABCD Executive Vice President/COO Sharon Scott-Chandler underscored the organization’s unwavering support for returning to an elected school committee. Scott-Chandler’s testimony begins at 2:08:48.

Committee on Government Operations on December 6, 2021

PROPEL APP MAKES AMERICA’S SAFETY NET MORE USER-FRIENDLY

As The New York Times recently reported, “even as the government expanded aid programs, many people faced barriers to using them." That problem is now being addressed with apps and streamlined websites. Meet Propel, a free app that five million households now use to manage their food stamp benefits. Learn more at joinpropel.com.

EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT BECOMES AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term, $14 billion program, which replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of December 31, 2021. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure income-eligible households can afford the internet connections we need for work, school, health care and more for a long time.

The benefit will provide a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Visit fcc.gov/acp for more information.