JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF |
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Eviction moratorium, swift action vital to minimizing pandemic-related suffering |
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The Boston Globe published a letter from ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew applauding the call for Massachusetts state legislators to pass a desperately needed housing equity bill. Drew’s urgent message to prevent evictions and foreclosures while efficiently distributing federal emergency housing assistance aligns with the work of U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who says, “Our work is not done.”
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ABCD and City of Boston pop-ups bring rental assistance directly to neighborhoods |
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Last month’s end of the national eviction moratorium coincided with dire news that across the country, 90% of federal rental assistance funds had yet to be distributed. In response, ABCD and the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development are mobilizing — literally — to get the word out and applications in.
Funded with a $20,000 grant from the City, ABCD will host a series of mobile pop-up events in seven Boston neighborhoods where the need is great but applications are low. The ABCD Housing team will park their van, power up their tablets, and help residents determine if they’re eligible for rental assistance. Then, team members will walk them through the application process.
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ABCD’S John Drew Receives National Robert M. Coard Innovation Award
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NCAP Honors ABCD Leadership at Annual Convention in Boston |
The National Community Action Partnership presented ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew with the Robert M. Coard Innovation Award for his exceptional work in advancing community-wide solutions that provide pathways for children and families to thrive.
The award was presented during the NCAP awards gala on the evening of September 2 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
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ABCD Hoop Dreams returns to TD Garden November 2
Now recruiting teams to play on the legendary parquet and benefit Boston youth!
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Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and celebrated sports columnist and author Bob Ryan return to co-host ABCD Hoop Dreams, the iconic charity b-ball tournament that fulfills childhood dreams while supporting ABCD programs for underserved youth. This year, NBC Sports anchor and bestselling author Michael Holley joins as emcee.
Thanks to the generosity of the TD Garden and its President Amy Latimer, Garden Neighborhood Charities, and the Boston Celtics, companies, organizations, and groups of super fans pay to suit up teams to play under the many Celtics NBA championship banners. After a fun and fiercely competitive tournament, teams enjoy an exclusive Q&A with Brad Stevens and moderated by Bob Ryan.
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Celebrating community, deepening connections
ABCD neighborhood block parties bring people, resources together
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Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia joined us for both! |
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ABCD remains committed to vaccination education and advocacy; mandates vaccination for all staff |
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Frinny Polanco Walters, MD, Attending Physician, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, was the featured speaker at “Your Children and COVID-19: A Q & A” presented by ABCD. |
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Along with virtual events, a social media campaign, and general advocacy for vaccination against COVID-19, ABCD will require all staff members to provide proof of vaccination by October 15, 2021. This decision is in keeping with current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor Charlie Baker, and municipal leaders. ABCD has been on the frontlines since the pandemic began and continues to serve our most vulnerable friends at our neighborhood locations. |
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ABCD Health Services hosts Let Girls Learn back to school resource fair |
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ABCD Health Services hosted the Let Girls Learn Back to School Resource Fair on September 11. Welcoming Boston K-12 students who receive special needs or special education supports and their families, the event, held at at ABCD’s Thelma D. Burns building in Dorchester, featured organizations providing social-emotional supports, after-school programs, arts & crafts, backpack giveaways and more.
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Career center wins gold award for employment services to veterans |
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MassHire Metro North Career Center, operated by ABCD since July 2020, has been awarded a Veterans Employment and Training Program Performance and Incentive Award for its outstanding service to veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Emergency Broadband Benefit eligibility expands |
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The FCC announced that households with a member approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program in the current 2021-2022 school year are also eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit
Many students are already back in the classroom this year and broadband access is a critical tool for success.
In addition, Lifeline is an FCC program designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Households that qualify for Lifeline also qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, They simply need to opt-in with their current Lifeline provider or contact a different participating provider and choose an eligible plan to start receiving the monthly benefit.
To find out if you qualify for Lifeline and apply for the program visit the Universal Service Administrative Company website: lifelinesupport.org
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Letter to the Editor - Boston Herald, September 5, 2021 by John J. Drew
GBH Radio, September 7, 2021
Dorchester Reporter, September 9, 2021, Page 27
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Recommended Reading:
ABCD's Work in Context
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The New York Times, September 9, 2021
The New York Times, September 9, 2021
The Boston Globe, September 21, 2021
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ABCD will match you with a struggling family in Boston — a family whose holidays will be much happier thanks to your generosity. Give what you can as an individual, family, group, or company.
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Questions about programs and services?
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Want to be an ABCD Insider?
Join us on social media and get to know the people who keep ABCD in motion every day.
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Action for Boston Community Development | 617-348-6000 | bostonabcd.org
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