Advocate.

Letter from United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley Regarding Charitable Tax Deductions

Brian Adams — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:24:47 -0400

The Honorable John F. Kerry
United States Senate
218 Russell Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Kerry: read more »

Action Alert: Call your representative today!

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:44:10 -0400

Seeking strong, passionate voices. No experience necessary.

Please help us advocate for low income families today by supporting two very important amendments: read more »

Advocate for working families

Merle Jones Lindsay — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:55:52 -0400

A couple of weeks ago the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) announced that Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are
successful at encouraging savings, building assets and moving
low-income families into the financial mainstream. In fact, two
significant studies highlight the ability of matched savings accounts
to help low-income working families save, buy homes, pursue
post-secondary education, and start businesses. More info here.

The Savings for Working Families Act (SWFA) would represent a thirteen-fold increase in savings incentives for low-income people. If enacted, the bill would provide
Congress with an opportunity to address the country's negative savings
rate and growing wealth gap... read more »

Bringing New Voices to the Table

Elizabeth Curtis — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:49:16 -0500

Yesterday, January 23rd, United Way co-hosted “Ending Homelessness in the Commonwealth: A Leadership Summit on Housing First.” Our partners, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance and One Family, Inc., joined us in bringing together a variety of community leaders to learn about the issue of homelessness in our state as well as how they can
get involved in brining about solutions to the problem. read more »

Day of Action

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:46:07 -0400

LIVE UNITED began as a simple T-shirt—something individuals could wear to show they are part of a collective of people working to advance the common good. Since then, it has become the beginnings of a much larger movement, a mentality that we are all people, connected, interdependent, united. and that when we reach out a hand to one, we have the power to influence the condition of all. read more »

How Bob Mahoney Lives United

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:57:30 -0400

Bob Mahoney

How Sharon Brewster Lives United

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:22:54 -0400

Sharon

Massachusetts After-School Research Study (MARS)

Bruno Ladan — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:03:57 -0400

"This study provides valuable information on the importance of how to use time outside of schools effectively to augment learning for children and provide them with much needed support beyond academic. I particularly value the finding that the characteristics of the most effective programs are those that are relaxed and flexible. Too often we run programs as if we are all on treadmills when slowing the pace down increases the opportunities for more lasting learning."

David Driscoll, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Education
read more »

Oct 15: Blog Action Day on Poverty

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:48:07 -0400

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo

Today, right now, one in four American households don’t have enough savings to meet their basic needs if their income is disrupted for more than three months. And we need to talk about it. According to a 2007 report by Brandeis University and Demos, one in four middle-class families are at high risk of slipping out of the middle class. And it's imperative that we come together to talk about it. On October 15 we'll have that chance. read more »

Photos of a post-foreclosure eviction Rally

Meghan Keaney Anderson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:23:14 -0400

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 »