Latest News, Press Releases, and Innovations

Longtime ABCD leader John Drew to retire

John J. Drew, who has held leadership positions at the human services nonprofit Action for Boston Community Development, will retire next month after 13 years as president and CEO. Drew will be succeeded by ABCD’s executive vice president and COO, Sharon Scott-Chandler, who the nonprofit said will be its first female Black leader in its six-decade history. Drew will retire…

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Charlestown Native and Longtime President and CEO of ABCD John Drew Set To Retire

For decades Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) John F. Kennedy Family Service Center office has been an oasis of help and hope for countless families in the neighborhood. Social service programs like ABCD’s Fuel Assistance have helped low-income residents and fixed income seniors heat their homes throughout the winter without having to worry if they would have enough money…

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Wraparound Services Spotlighted for Community Action Month

May is Community Action Month, and Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts are raising awareness about the wraparound services they provide to low-income residents. Community Action was started in 1964 by the Johnson administration to fight poverty, and agencies have been working ever since to help folks – both in crisis situations and with economic empowerment. Sharon Scott-Chandler, executive vice president…

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People on the Move: Shayla Nazaire

ABCD has promoted Shayla Nazaire to the position of Controller. Shayla holds a B.S. in accounting and information systems from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, She spent 5 years with KPMG, LLP as an audit senior associate where she specialized in not-for-profit accounting and Uniform Guidance Audits. In 2014, she joined ABCD as budget manager. Along with the organization’s budget…

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People on the Move: Kathleen Donahue

ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) has hired Kathleen Donahue as Chief Financial Officer. Kathleen has 15 years’ experience of not-for-profit financial experience. Most recently she was the controller with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She has held a variety of leadership positions in organizations including City Year, the Community Builders, and Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. Kathleen is the former board…

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John Drew, Longtime President and CEO of ABCD, Set To Retire

For decades East Boston’s Action for Boston Community Development’s (ABCD) APAC office has been an oasis of help and hope for countless families in the neighborhood. Social service programs like ABCD’s Fuel Assistance have helped low-income residents and fixed income seniors heat their homes throughout the winter without having to worry if they would have enough money for both heat…

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ABCD PRESIDENT/CEO JOHN J. DREW TO RETIRE JUNE 30

Champion for the poor came to ABCD “start-up” in 1971 Renowned antipoverty agency now serves 100,000 annually; Board Chair Sean Daughtry says Drew leaves ABCD “stronger than ever” (BOSTON, MA) — John J. Drew, President/CEO of Action for Boston Community Development and longtime fighter for the low-income and underserved, will step down from his top role at ABCD on June…

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ABCD THANKS ASSISTANT SPREAKER KATHERINE CLARK, MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATION, FOR PASSAGE OF CSBG MODERNIZATION ACT

Vote marks critical step to strengthening low-income families and communitiest On Friday, May 13, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5129, the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021-2022 on a 246-169 vote. The bill reauthorizes the Community Services Block Grant program through FY2031 and makes important changes concerning administration and leadership. performance measurement, and minimum and maximum…

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Hispanic-serving colleges in Mass. support Latino students, but some schools fall short

Leer en español. When Jennifer Reyes emigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2016, she wanted to make a better future for herself. Upon entering the United States, she listed a few of her goals: to continue her education, find a better job and make more money. But at the time, she couldn’t speak English. “One of the reasons why I…

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ABCD, Bridge Over Troubled Waters Each Get $50K Donation

Each of two Boston nonprofits—Action for Boston Community Development, an anti-poverty agency, and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, which provides services to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth—recently received a $50,000 donation from Astound Broadband to support their ongoing work. Sanford Ames, senior vice president and general manager of Astound Broadband, said both organizations “strengthen our community.” He lauded Action for Boston Community…

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