WCAC selected as United Way Central MA
Community Challenge grantee
$65K to help address Cliff Effect
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decmeber 20, 2021
CONTACT: Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Development
EGanley@wcac.net 508-762-9807
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Worcester, MA - Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) has been named among the United Way of Central Massachusetts Community Challenge award winners and has been awarded $65,000 to help local families traverse the cliff effect barrier.
WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the economic outcomes and opportunities for low-income people. WCAC’s goal is to help bridge the gap between eligibility for public benefits and a family’s opportunity to increase household earnings as a step towards economic independence. We are appreciative of the United Way's generous support and look forward to making a lasting impact for those we serve."
The cliff effect occurs when an increase in work earnings results in ineligibility for benefits such as housing, food, and childcare. In many instances, families may choose to decline opportunities to increase wages because accepting an increase to their wages would impact their eligibility for necessary benefits, and the wage increase itself would not be enough to overcome reliance on certain benefits. To help families avoid the cliff, WCAC will use the United Way award to hire a Cliff Effect Coach to provide support and direct payments for unexpected bills and childcare expenses.
In its presentation to the United Way Community Challenge review panel, WCAC noted that the City of Worcester's population is particularly vulnerable to the cliff effect with a poverty rate that is 20% higher than that of Worcester County, and an unemployment rate historically higher than the state. Skyrocketing housing costs have likewise left many households struggling to make ends meet. At current rates, a Worcester household would have to earn $26.88/hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment – an equivalent of working 84 hours/week at a minimum wage of $13.50/hour. The average renter in Worcester earns $14.12/hour and would have to work 76 hours/week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
WCAC anticipates the Cliff Effect Coach will be hired by early winter 2022. This new role will partner with WCAC’s financial empowerment coach as part of the agency's new Resiliency Center, a client-centered approach to navigating resources and referrals and that also provides access to such tools at zero-interest loans, safe banking accounts, and help with free tax preparation.
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About WCAC
Since 1965, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.
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www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net |
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