ABCD continues to serve, plans safe, gradual reopening
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Since the COVID-19 crisis began, ABCD has been open and available to our neighbors. Most of our work has been done by phone, email, and online, but we’ve kept five food pantries open and we make regular deliveries to children, families, elders, and others in need. In fact, since the state of emergency began in March, our Community Coordination department and ABCD Head Start have provided groceries, diapers, milk and formula to 7,000 individuals, children, and families.
The coronavirus pandemic has made our work more critical than ever.
As the City of Boston and the Commonwealth move forward with reopening the economy and relaxing restrictions on social activities, we are developing comprehensive plans and taking a conservative approach. Nothing is more important than the community’s health and safety.
“We will fully open as soon as possible, but gradually, and only under the right conditions. We don’t want to erase the progress we’ve made,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.
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Along with helping with food security, ABCD Head Start has provided all of its comprehensive services in new and creative ways. In addition, we have adapted a number of programs to distance learning and online access, and we are reinventing others.
Reopening our more than 30 locations is a major undertaking. We will implement all recommended health and safety measures, ensure that our buildings meet strict compliance standards, and introduce new ways of safely sharing physical space. We’re confident that, when all of these changes are in place, we will once again offer a broad range of programs and services to help our most vulnerable neighbors move out of crisis and build a better future. For more on ABCD’s COVID-19 programs and resources, click below.
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ABCD, in partnership with the City of Medford, launches
COVID-19 Medford Rental Assistance program
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As the state begins its first stage of re-opening, too many of our neighbors are still struggling to pay their rent. ABCD announced its latest response to this COVID-19 crisis on May 7th -- a new rental assistance program funded through the Community Preservation Act. The initiative, titled the Medford Emergency Rental Assistance Program, is a partnership with the City of Medford.
Through the program, ABCD conducts outreach, process in-takes and follow-up with families for six months. Reports outlining families served, funds distributed and demographic data will be provided monthly.
Eligibility requirements include Medford residency and an annual income of 80% the Average Median Income (AMI) or less. To ensure that funding is available to Medford’s most vulnerable residents, half of the funds will be initially reserved for families at 50% AMI or less. Rental assistance checks will be issued directly to a tenant’s landlord.
Residents also will be connected to other ABCD services, including food resources and fuel assistance.
“ABCD brings an excellent portfolio of services and a record of working successfully and collaboratively with the City of Medford,” said Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Medford’s mayor. “I appreciate their efforts to help those who are struggling through no fault of their own.”
“ABCD is here to help Medford residents get through these dire times,” said John J. Drew, ABCD’s President/CEO. “Our most vulnerable neighbors are especially affected by the economic meltdown we’re experiencing, which was unthinkable until COVID-19 arrived.”
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Donate to the ABCD Covid-19 Relief Fund
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ABCD Food Pantries Are Here To Help
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ABCD’s COVID-19 Relief Fund raises an additional $430,000
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In April, a group of donors saw the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately made gifts to ABCD in support of relief efforts. Throughout May seven more institutional funders and numerous individuals have given $435,000 collectively.
Through contributions of all sizes,
ABCD’s individual donors have raised more than $5,000 to support COVID-19 relief,
emergency food needs, and housing supports. The ABCD COVID-19 Relief Fund will be accepting donations as long as the need in our communities continues. Secure online donations can be made
here
.
The
Boston Resiliency Fund
has provided $50,000
to support emergency food needs, with a focus on baby formula. Since baby formula is an expensive item that many people have been panic buying, it has been especially difficult to access for ABCD’s low-income clients. This grant will provide 300 households with a one-month supply.
Life Science Cares
, a collective effort of the life sciences industry to reduce the impact of poverty on our neighbors,
provided ABCD’s high school students with Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots
in April so they could continue their education while school buildings were closed. In May, they awarded ABCD with a grant to support rental assistance for households that have seen their income significantly reduced as a result of the pandemic, especially for those not eligible for unemployment assistance.
With an intentional focus on the gateway cities of Malden and Everett,
the
Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund
has made a grant of $40,000
. These funds will support emergency food and fuel needs for residents in those cities. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund supports those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations...
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The deadline for filing state and federal tax returns has been
extended to July 15, 2020
.
Although our free tax assistance sites are not currently open, you can still call to make an appointment to get your taxes done at a later date. Scheduling now can ensure you complete and file your returns as soon as possible.
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The ABCD COVID-19 Relief Fund supports individuals and families with urgent needs for food, baby formula, diapers and wipes, cleaning supplies, rental assistance, and transportation. We hope you will consider making a donation to the ABCD COVID-19 Relief Fund today, so that ABCD can continue and expand this essential work.
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Follow us on Social Media
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Action for Boston Community Development | 617-348-6000 |
bostonabcd.org
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