ROAD TO OPPORTUNITY: FINDING THE WAY FORWARD THROUGH COVID-19 AND BEYOND
Special Edition: Annual Report 2020-21
July 13, 2022
LEARN HOW #COMMUNITYACTIONWORKS
Do not miss our NEW, special Annual Report covering two fiscal years (2020-21) and documenting one of the most trying times we have faced. This report highlights how we, as a network, rallied together with the people we serve, and with our allies and friends along with federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials to keep each other safe, recover, and move into a post-pandemic world.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS RESPONSIVENESS
All agencies responded locally to the extraordinary needs created by the unprecedented health crisis as well as took steps to address racial inequity and structural racism. The role that Community Action Agencies played in vulnerable communities was, and remains, crucial as we move forward.
Accepting Heating Help applications outside in Worcester (WCAC)
Stocking the perishables in new food pantry in Blossom Early Education Center in Lynn (LEO)
Leading a Black Lives Matter Rally in Fitchburg (MOC)
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT
The impact of Community Action Agencies is expressed by these data points and at the same time extends beyond them.  They are the local trusted institutions that remained open, serving in whatever way was possible, as they always have - adapting and changing to the communities' needs.

  • CAAs help approximately 600,000 people annually.
  • CAAs provided Early Education & Care to 14,000-16,000 children each of the past two years.
  • CAAs serve more than half of the Head Start population in MA.
  • CAAs manage childcare subsidies for +15,000 children.
  • CAAS provided Heating Help to an average of almost 140,000 over the past two years and helped +26,000 with Energy Efficiency improvements to their homes.
  • CAAs provided free tax prep to +12,000 bringing back +$25M in refunds back into our communities in 2021.
  • CAAs provided Emergency Food to +327,000 in 2021 (up +400% over 2020 and +660% over 2019)
  • CAAs provided close to 24,000 with Rental Assistance in 2021.

See more data on pages 12 and 13 of the annual report.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS POVERTY IN MA & WHERE WE ARE NOW
Massachusetts found itself at a crossroads in 2020 with a spotlight
shining on inequities. Covid-19 and the economic downturn hit the families
with fewer available resources the hardest. Community Action Agencies continue to innovate and respond as well as plan for future needs.

  • Wages for low wage workers have barely grown over last 40+ years while incomes for the top 1% are more than five times what they were in 1980. 
  • Almost 1 in 5 Black/Latinx households with children reported not having enough to eat in 2020. Overall 1 in 10 households with children reported not always having enough to eat in 2020.
  • More than 1 in 5 Black/Latinx households with children lost employment income since Spring 2021.
  • More than 1 in 3 Black/Latinx households with children were housing insecure as the pandemic progressed.
  • The pandemic has worsened the mental health crisis, especially for children, with fewer resources to draw on.
  • Targeted tax credits and public benefit programs had an immediate impact on household economic wellbeing during 2020-21 - showing a path to cutting child poverty in half.

All data comes from our report, At a Crossroads Created by COVID: Families Moving Along the Road to Opportunity in Massachusetts written by Nancy Wagman, MassBudget.
ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTION IN MA
Our Mission
To strengthen, unify, and advocate with the Community Action Statewide Network to advance economic, racial, and social justice and to create communities where everyone thrives.
 
Our Vision
All MA residents will prosper and thrive through equitable opportunity and resources to meet their basic needs, enjoy economic mobility, and build strong and inclusive communities.

The Community Action Network is strong and effective, known for its valuable work and excellent service delivery, and is an advocate and leading voice in the fight to end poverty and inequality.

Our Core Values
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CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
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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.

#EndPovertyMA #CommunityActionWorks