Speak United

"Poverty strikes the unlikely."

Meghan Keaney — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:12:44 -0500

Recently CBS ran a national feature story on a Gloucester family who never expected to face poverty after a family business failed. The story shows how an unexpected emergency, particularly in strained economic times, can change everything. Read the full post to view the video. read more »

Poof! You have $70 million

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:58:47 -0500

There's a fascinating discussion going on over at The Chronicle of Philanthropy's Blog Give and Take
in response to an anonymous 31-year-old philanthropist's request for advice on where to donate $70 million. The original request was found on the New York Times' Freakonomic's blog where it received over 500 responses, some serious, some involving marriage proposals. One response in particular caught the eye of the Give and Take blogger though and has me thinking too. It came from JackB. Siegel, a nonprofit lawyer and author of Charity Governance blog, who suggested that the philanthropist should, "cool his jets." Give and Take explains: read more »

Photos of a post-foreclosure eviction Rally

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:23:14 -0500

Jonathan McIntosh, a local freelance photographer recently captured these pictures of a rally at 200 Norfolk Street in Dorchester to stop the eviction of a family from their home. There are 6 children living in the home and a licensed day care center in the building. City Life/Vida Urbana, a United Way partner agency, organized the rally. To see the pictures, view the full post.

According to McIntosh, a Boston City Council hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 23, to discuss the Just Cause Eviction Legislation, which would would prevent financial institutions from emptying properties after foreclosure if tenants are paying their rents. read more »

In Lawrence, the economy has a name...

Meghan Keaney — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:57:49 -0500

"In Lawrence, the economy has a name.
In Lawrence, the economy has a face
Lawrence is where the economy comes to live."

Today, The Boston Globe began a three-part series by Charles P. Pierce that aims to bring a local lens to the three largest issues of the current presidential election: The economy, healthcare, and the war in Iraq. For today's economy feature Pierce wrote from the poorest city in Massachusetts. read more »