ROAD TO OPPORTUNITY: FINDING THE WAY FORWARD THROUGH COVID-19 AND BEYOND
September 22, 2020
WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO: SERVICE INNOVATION AND RECOVERY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 IN SPRINGFIELD, MA
MASSCAP Service Recovery during COVID #3 SPCA 9 4 20

Missed Episodes 1 and 2? Watch here
DID YOU KNOW: We are OPEN and READY TO SERVE
  • The effects of the pandemic continue to compound the needs of the people we serve - people living with low income, diverse populations, marginalized communities, and people of color - as well as many families seeking help for the first time.
  • The programs we run and services we provide are even more important now to help stabilize lives.
  • Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 11 MA households were Food Insecure.  The need for assistance with accessing and affording food has increased dramatically.
  • Heating Help Programs including Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP) and Energy Efficiency Programs helped 160,000 households in MA last year including 35% children and 47% elderly. 
  • VITA sites not only provide free tax prep (including virtual VITA), but also provide access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) as well as other tax credits. 
  • The EITC and the Child Tax Credit CTC have kept 150,000 people out of poverty in MA by helping them to bridge the wage gap.
PUBLIC POLICY MATTERS
The state funding for policy and programs is crucial in finding the way forward in Massachusetts, especially now when so many are being negatively impacted by COVID-19. While we are mindful of the unprecedented budgetary challenges that MA is facing, we firmly believe that the budget priorities below will assist some of Commonwealth's most vulnerable residents continue to thrive during and following this crisis. 

Please join us in supporting our TOP FY21 Priorities:

Bridging the Wage Gap
Creating a Foundation for Economic Opportunity
Strengthening Families through Affordable and Accessible Early Education and Care
  • Provide Hazard funding (6 months): $70M
    We must address the challenges and risks early education and Out of School Time (OST) services face during the pandemic
  • Ensure Pre-Pandemic Level Monthly Program Funding: Early Education/OST
  • Increase Head Start Line Item (3000-5000): $15M
  • Support Early Education Teacher Salary Line Item (3000-1042)
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: #CommunityActionResponds
Community Action Agencies are constantly thinking about what is most needed in the communities they serve and responding.  Sometimes there are quick ways to respond, and sometimes there is a need for long-term project plans.  Check out these exciting projects:
 
In Lawrence: Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) broke ground on a 39-unit, five-story complex of apartments and commercial space at the corner of Essex and Amesbury streets.  The project will provide much needed affordable housing to low-income residents as well as transform the street.  It is only a few blocks from GLCAC main offices providing easy access to so many services. Learn more.
   
In Wareham and Bourne: South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $1.18 million grant from the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start. The grant will fund start-up costs and enable SSCAC to expand its award-winning Head Start and Early Head Start program to provide free early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from Wareham and Bourne.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 
Heating season is just around the corner!  Heating Help is available: Get help with heating bills as well as conserving energy.  Learn more at heatinghelpma.org.

We urge you to support the FY21 priorities so that together we can move forward on the road to opportunity. Visit our Public Policy Priorities webpage.

Get Everyone Counted: Census 2020!  Federal funding is at stake! Health care, education, and emergency planning all depend on getting an accurate census count.
COMMUNITY ACTION IN MA

Our Mission
To strengthen and connect the statewide network of Community Action Agencies and collectively advocate for an end to poverty.

Our Vision
All MA residents will be able to meet their basic needs, access economic opportunities, build strong communities and move toward prosperity...

Find your Agency
There are 23 Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts serving virtually every city and town in the state.  To locate the agency in your area and learn more about the programs they offer, click here.


#EndPovertyMA #CommunityActionWorks