ROAD TO OPPORTUNITY:  FINDING THE WAY FORWARD
August 13, 2018
DID YOU KNOW: MA Facts
  • Public Programs cut poverty approximately in half in MA - keeping 920,000 (including +200,000 children) out of poverty.
  • The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) have kept 150,000 people out of poverty in MA.
  • Housing Assistance programs including MA Rental Voucher Program, HomeBASE, Section 8 Home Choice Vouchers and Public Housing have kept approximately 220,000 people out of poverty in MA.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has kept approximately 140,000 out of poverty in MA. 
For more information and to access the data, read our report "Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward" published in May 2018.
POLICY MATTERS: Public Programs Reduce Poverty
Policy does matter - the MA facts above are proof that public policy that supports public programs both federally and at the state level do make a difference.  Despite the Trump administration saying that the war on poverty is over (see  Urban Wire: Poverty, Vulnerability and the Safety Net  from  July 26), there is much work to do.  To be sure, safety net programs are working, helping hundreds of thousands of people in MA move out of poverty.  Yet, profound inequality persists.  We cannot stop funding these programs, and we must continue to work together on well-designed reforms that remove barriers for recipients to work and better their lives.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: PACE Health Access Program
People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) in New Bedford understands the importance of the health in people's ability to work and thrive as well as the challenges related to the high cost of healthcare and  insurance.  They have a Health Access Program providing outreach and application assistance for anyone applying for MassHealth or a Health Connector program as well as support managing other health insurance issues.  They have an Senior Intake Specialist specifically to help those over the age of 65.  Learn more - watch their monthly cable show edition about Health Connector program. 

PACE recently retired Executive Director Bruce Morell always cared about the health of the community.  Read more about Bruce and PACE.  
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 
Together with Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), we will hold our next forum focused on the findings of the report, Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forwardon October 5 at 7:30 a.m. at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.   Click here for more information and to register.

Together with Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Springfield Partners for Community Action and Valley Opportunity Council, we will hold the next in the series of forums in Springfield on October 26Stay tuned for more information
COMMUNITY ACTION IN MA

Our Mission
To strengthen and connect the statewide network of Community Action Agencies and collectively advocate for an end to poverty.

Our Vision
All MA residents will be able to meet their basic needs, access economic opportunities, build strong communities and move toward prosperity...

Find your Agency
There are 23 Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts serving virtually every city and town in the state.   To locate the agency in your area and learn more about the programs they offer,  click here .

Read our 2017 Annual Report
                                              #End PovertyMA