Author: abcd-admin

As winter cold hits, ABCD urges residents to apply for heating assistance

As bitter cold grips Massachusetts, ABCD reminds residents that households at or below the federal poverty level can receive as much as $1,650 in fuel assistance, while those with slightly higher incomes receive benefits on a sliding scale.  Due to the huge spike in energy costs and the ongoing economic crisis battering our most vulnerable households, benefits from the federal…

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ABCD offers free tax prep to eligible residents

EITC, Child Tax Credit, all tax relief measures addressed ABCD urges all residents of Boston and the Mystic Valley region who earned $58,000 or less in 2021 to make an appointment now for no-cost tax preparation.  ABCD’s IRS-certified tax preparers will prepare and submit tax returns, working primarily online but also by drop-off, phone and email, with limited in-person appointments…

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Yawkey Foundation donates $40,000 to Youth Access Pack project

Recognizing that many young people in the community face severe social and economic barriers, the Yawkey Foundation has donated $40,000 to the ABCD Youth Access Pack project.  The grant will fund monthly access packs for 25 participants in ABCD’s Career Explorations and HOPES youth career development programs throughout 2022. While virtually all under-resourced youth confront steep challenges including vanishing pathways…

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Need cash? Call ABCD tax prep now!

ABCD provides free tax assistance for residents who earned $58,000 or least in 2021 EITC, Child Tax Credit, all tax relief measures provided; program kicks off Jan. 31 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2022 CONTACT: Lee Phenner339.368.1140                                               (BOSTON, MA) — ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) urges all residents of Boston and the Mystic Valley region who earned…

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Massachusetts leaders honor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with special virtual ceremony

Rhondella Richardson: The struggle for civil rights boiled down is the fight for humanity and inclusion, both core to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s mission. Quincy Miller: In these times of great need, it’s upon each of us to do more even when we’ve done so much. Dr. Karl Reid: We start by building a more diverse and inclusive university….

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Having trouble heating your home? Here’s where you can get help.

Tuesday’s single digit temperatures and below zero wind chill made it clear: Winter has arrived in Boston.  With the weather cold enough to shut down Boston Public Schools on Tuesday and slow the MBTA, even staying warm inside can be a challenge. However, there are options for anyone struggling to heat their home, whether the issue is an unresponsive landlord or costly heating bills.  In…

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State fire marshal urges space heater safety: ‘You only have a minute’ to escape a blaze

Artic air brought temperatures in the single digits and teens to most of Massachusetts on Tuesday. As people struggle to stay warm during the cold snap with space heaters, fire safety officials and anti-poverty advocates shared advice on how to stay safe. Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said space heater safety should be foremost in people’s minds, especially in…

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Increased federal energy aid available as winter weather arrives in Massachusetts

WASHINGTON—With a colder winter forecast and energy prices higher compared to last year, unpaid utility bills couldpile up in New England like the snow outside. So the Biden administration and members of Congress from the region on Friday alerted low-income households to a major boost in federal money to help them keep the heat on. The American Rescue Plan enacted…

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Thanks from ABCD

ABCD sends its warmest thank you to the Boston Herald for its outstanding support of the ABCD Toy Drive. In particular, the heartwarming article by Marie Szaniszlo (“6,000 Toys Needed by Dec. 15,” Dec. 7, 2021) alerted hundreds of donors and helped kick off a widespread media campaign. In 10 days our toy drive climbed from 400 to 6,000 toys,…

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ABCD Reaches 6,000 Toy Goal for Holiday Drive

‘Twas three weeks before Christmas and… The ABCD toy room was rather empty. About 400 toys rested on the distribution tables. Meanwhile requests for help were pouring in at an unprecedented rate. SIX THOUSAND toys were needed for families seeking to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Channukah and Three Kings Day. “With the pandemic still impacting the families we serve in Boston…

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