In the face of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, all Americans and the world-wide community hunker down for an era of belt-tightening and financial difficulty. What will become of the 12.5 percent of Americans - 36.5 million people - and the 18 percent of children - 12.8 million children under age 18 - who are already struggling to pay for housing, food, heat and medicine on incomes below the federal poverty level of $21,200 annually for a family of four?

ABCD is committed to reversing this trend, and a little help from you can go a long way. Here are just a few programs that could use your help:

Fuel Assistance - Increased federal and state aid coupled with new eligibility guidelines enable ABCD to serve families with higher incomes who once fell through the cracks and provide more benefits to all eligible households. But even with these increased funds, the current economic downturn is making it tough for many families to keep the heat on this winter. Many low-income families are still forced to choose between paying the heating bill and buying groceries in any given month. Learn More

Financial Futures Initiative – To permanently escape poverty, people need to develop assets through home ownership, higher education and entrepreneurship. ABCD's Financial Futures Initiative provides that pathway to self-sufficiency and economic security. Learn More

Housing – ABCD’s Housing and Homeless Department works to keep a roof over people’s heads and provides them the tools, skills and resources to maintain their housing.  Through landlord-tenant mediation, housing court advocacy, rental assistance and other means,  ABCD housing counselors prevent homelessness, a huge savings to taxpayers.  These programs desperately need your assistance.
Learn More

Youth programs – When you think ABCD and teens, you probably think SummerWorks. But did you know some of our job training programs for youth run year round? Summer jobs may get the headlines, but these year-long programs really keep kids in a line of work that will one day help them climb out of the cycle of poverty. Learn More