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Making Transit More Affordable: MBTA’s Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program Launches September 4

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The MBTA today announced that it is expanding access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders beginning Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The online application is simple and can be completed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, simplified Chinese, Haitian-Creole, or Vietnamese. The launch will also include the availability of in-person support at five locations around the MBTA service area in partnership with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) network.

As poverty curbs families’ spending, need for holiday assistance soars

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Action for Boston Community Development, known as ABCD, is an anti-poverty nonprofit, relies largely on donations to organize its annual toy drive, under its larger “Winter Fund” program, which assists families with basic necessities like clothing and food.

Local food pantries gear up for winter weather and the holiday season

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As Bostonians bundle up and hunker down for the winter months, local food pantries are seeing an influx of need from families and individuals across the city.

ABCD among organizations assisting migrants receiving work authorization

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GBH News spoke to ABCD Chief Operating Officer Anne Corbin-Fennell about how the organization is assisting migrants seeking work authorization as supported by Governor Maura Healey. ABCD is stepping up both as operator of the MassHire Metro North Career Centers and by providing essentials to families in need of food, clothing, diapers, and more. The conversation begins at 0:59: The…

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“It’s OK to need help,” Resources available for Boston parents struggling to earn living wage

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BOSTON – Yanel Mejia thought she did everything right. “I went to get my bachelor’s [degree], graduated with a major in criminal justice, minor in social work,” Yanel said.  She earned a degree, started on a career path with work from home benefits, was a committed mother of two young daughters and yet, the numbers weren’t adding up.  “It’s definitely…

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Here are the 124 organizations receiving United Way of Mass. Bay funding totaling $56M

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The United Way of Massachusetts Bay has announced it will grant $56M in grants to 124 organizations in an effort to eradicate the conditions that lead to poverty and economic injustice. The organizations are listed below in alphabetical order. ACT Lawrence Lawrence Action for Boston Community Development BOSTON Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs Andover Alray Taylor Second Chance Scholarship Fund Corporation Boston…

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ABCD urges residents to apply for home heating assistance

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Federal LIHEAP program sets benefits up to $600 (BOSTON, MA) – ABCD urges residents to apply immediately for home heating assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides up to $600 in fuel assistance for eligible households. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services…

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ARL Wellness Waggin’ helping more Boston families in need get medical care for pets

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BOSTON — It may be small, but the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Wellness Waggin’ plays a big role in reducing the number of surrendered animals in Boston. Five years ago, the nonprofit launched its mobile veterinary clinic to bring high-quality animal care directly to pet owners in neighborhoods with high levels of surrenders, including Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Easton Boston. “For…

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Rare Launches SHINE Community Solar Initiative to Bring Green Jobs, Lower Energy Bills to Greater Boston’s Underserved Communities

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BOSTON, September 06, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rare, an international conservation organization specializing in social change for the environment, today announced the launch of Solar Helping Ignite Neighborhood Economies (SHINE), an initiative aimed at connecting solar power job opportunities and renewable home energy to underserved neighborhoods of Boston. The project is in partnership with Boston’s leading community action agency, Action for Boston Community Development…

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Climate change and poverty are complex problems. These solutions aim to address both.

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Massachusetts — like most places — has a problem when it comes to climate solutions. The state has just a few years to drastically slash emissions and that means it needs more of everything, fast: more heat pumps, more electric vehicles and EV chargers, more solar panels. Just to get those things installed and working will require massive numbers of…

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