At this time last year, we had no idea what was ahead. We were engaged in end of year activities, making program and advocacy plans, getting to tasks on our lists that we kept on deferring to the next day or week or month.

 

Even though we were not planning specifically to address the devastating health, economic, and social effects of the pandemic and racial inequality, we were ready.  Our readiness was born not only of the firm foundation we have established in our communities and the integrated services we provide, but also of the dedication, commitment, responsiveness, innovation, and professionalism of our staffs across the state.

 

We share a common sentiment that 2020 cannot end too soon, and we look forward to 2021 with hope, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to the diverse communities and the people we serve - confident in our ability to adapt to crises, having added to our capacity new ways to administer our agencies and to help and support our vulnerable friends and neighbors.

 

The pandemics have exacerbated the challenges people living with low incomes face. Among the first and most pressing is food insecurity.  Early on CAAs and our allies across the state rose to the occasion to meet immediate needs and develop sustainable approaches to service and fighting poverty.

 

As we know from our report, Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward for the Children and Families of Massachusetts, addressing hunger, heating homes, preventing homelessness are critical to fighting poverty. However, we must also address the structural challenges that cause hunger and housing instability including low wages/the wage gap, racism, and the cliff effect.
Joe Diamond, Jessica Benedetto, Lisa Clay, Amaris Kinne, Kathleen McDermott, Kathleen McDonald, Patricia Pelletier