As the price of everything from rent to eggs goes up, community organizations say more people need help heating their homes this winter. According to state numbers, first time applicants for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal program that provides financial aid for fuel, increased by 76% in Massachusetts compared to this time last year. … Sharon Scott-Chandler, president and CEO…
When Garrett Schick received his electric bill after Christmas and saw a 73 percent increase from his last bill, he and his family made the tough decisionto return holiday gifts to make ends meet. … Other area residents have applied to energy assistance programs through organizations like Quincy Community Action Programs and Action for Boston Community Development. “We have already…
Study shows boost in graduation rates WHEN THE TOPIC of the achievement gap comes up, the conversation invariably veers to all the out-of-school factors facing low-income students and students of color that are correlated with poorer outcomes on academic performance, high school graduation, and other measures. New research evidence among Boston high school students points to an out-of-school factor that can…
Action for Boston Community Development welcomes Raeann Whalen as Special Projects Director. Reporting to the CEO, she focuses on advancing the organization’s key strategic initiatives and priorities. Ms. Whalen was COO at Housing Families and has held senior positions with ReSurge International and UTEC. She has 15 years of nonprofit experience in operations, fundraising & development and cross-functional team management….
BOSTON, MA – January 10, 2023 The state’s Department of Transitional Assistance says extra pandemic food assistance from the federal government is ending soon. Congress recently moved to phase out the SNAP benefits which amount to an extra $95 a month. GBH News interviewed ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler about the impact on struggling families. LISTEN NOW For more…
ABCD and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) celebrated a major milestone, 10,000 Wellness Waggin’ veterinary appointments for ABCD clients! This high-quality, low-cost mobile pet wellness program launched in August of 2019 and has expanded to ABCD locations in Dorchester, Mattapan/Hyde Park and East Boston. ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler, Esq., said that ABCD seeks to meet as…
A new pilot program made possible through a partnership with New England Conservatory (NEC) and the City of Boston to increase access to early music education will begin in the Ellis Early Learning and ABCD Head Start programs. Mayor Michelle Wu made the announcement alongside NEC President Andrea Kayln, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, Ellis Early Learning CEO Lauren…
During her keynote address at the ABCD Community Heroes Celebration last month, Secretary Marcia L. Fudge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said she is reminded of that quote by Dr. Maya Angelou when she reflects on her decision to join the Biden administration. “Growing up, my family did not have much, but we had a…
They were among the many who said goodbye. Some served in government. Some served the interests of their neighborhoods in public settings while others did so from home. Some offered spiritual direction. Some built things, and one delivered the mail with diligence and equanimity. For all that, they had one thing in common: A connection to Dorchester during their lives….
The board of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) in November named Sharon Scott-Chandler president and CEO of the anti-poverty agency. Scott-Chandler had for more than 10 years been executive vice president of the organization, which was founded in 1962 to combat poverty in Boston. A Mattapan native, Scott-Chandler went to school in Foxborough through the METCO program and graduated…
