Paola Ferrer

We began these blogs because we wanted to start a conversation. The posts on this blog are the personal perspectives of individual staff, volunteers and guest bloggers, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization. We encourage response and conversation. We just ask you to keep it respectful. We'd love to hear it. It's a conversation, after all, we hope you'll add to it. Want to be a guest blogger? Email us

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Paola Ferrer

Wed, 12/08/2010

Home(less) for the Holidays

Volunteers Canvas City of Boston to Account for the Homeless

On a chilly Monday night, hundreds of volunteers, including a number of United Way staff and donors, took to the streets of Boston for its annual homeless census. read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Thu, 09/30/2010

State of Emergency: 43.6 million poor in the United States

time to Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

The U.S. Census Bureau releases Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009, and 2009 American Community Survey Data read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Fri, 09/24/2010

Children’s HealthWatch releases a new report

"Earning More, Receiving Less: Loss of Benefits and Child Hunger"

"New research from Children’s HealthWatch shows that increases in income that trigger loss of public assistance benefits can leave young children without enough food to eat." read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Sun, 09/12/2010

I was born in Puerto Rico… but I can’t prove it.

Law 191 of 2009 invalidates the birth certificates of US Citizens born in Puerto Rico

If you were born in the Island of Enchantment, we give you the information you (or your client) need to request a new birth certificate. read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Tue, 07/27/2010

Summer Bounty

Affordable and Accessible Fresh Produce in Boston

Our local farmers bring the best of their harvest to convenient locations around the city making it easy for city dwellers to get nutritious, locally-grown food. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors can not afford to visit farmers' markets for their purchases. This summer, however, a partnership between The Food Project and the City of Boston is making fresh produce available (and affordable!) to individuals and families receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Fri, 05/07/2010

Taking a Stand Against Racism

United Way teams up with YWCA Boston to promote equality and social justice

On April 30th, our United Way joined over 2,000 organizations nationally to take a Stand Against Racism. Stand Against Racism is a movement initiated by the YWCA in 2008 to raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that it cannot be ignored or tolerated. Its objective is to bring organizations together, who believe like we do, that united we can eliminate racism read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Thu, 04/08/2010

A New Measure of Poverty

overhauling how the poor are counted

The current measure of poverty in our country was developed in the 1960's, and it has been besieged with criticism. A "new" proposal is looking to revamp this measure and change how we do business. read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Wed, 03/31/2010

Obese and Malnourished

the new face of hunger

A recent article in the New York Times discusses a phenomenon it calls the "Bronx Paradox." read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Wed, 03/31/2010

Profiles in Hunger

a moving account of the plight of many Americans

Recovering lawyer and photographer Michael Nye, uses his camera lens as a tool for awareness and advocacy in his exhibit entitled "About Hunger and Resilience." read more »

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Paola Ferrer

Fri, 02/26/2010

Follow the Leaders

best practices to maximize federal nutrition benefits

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) recently unveiled a resource guide for states with key ideas that will help leverage additional federal nutrition benefits for low-income families. Massachusetts is among the leaders in the implementation of novel ideas and the contributors to this report. read more »