Avery Bleichfeld Massachusetts state officials are touting programs that they say will help people of all income levels access bigger-ticket climate actions in a new campaign launched this month. The campaign, from the state’s Energy and Environmental Affairs Department, advertises things like buying electric vehicles, weatherizing a home, installing heat pumps and using solar power as solutions individuals can pursue…
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…
Should someone convicted of assault for a schoolyard brawl decades ago be banned from working in child care? What if that person was charged but never convicted? A sea change in state and federal laws governing criminal background checks for child care workers, intended to improve safety in day care, could force out thousands who have a prior offense, even if they’ve…
Millions of children lifted out of poverty once more face harsh conditions The significant and historic Child Tax Credit that this year lifted more than 3.6 million children in America out of poverty must be extended beyond December 2021. “On behalf of the millions of families and children who will be losing this life-saving benefit in January, we beg the…
The 2020 ABCD Annual Report featured a story about Rachel Carle, a Danvers resident who was laid off in the early days of the pandemic. A senior director with a booming Cambridge company, she was 30 years into a satisfying career when suddenly everything changed. “When I lost my job, I didn’t know where to turn. I was panicking, afraid…
Getting a summer job used to mean scooping ice cream at the mall or working the drive-thru at Burger King. Then came the Great Recession, followed by a rush for teens to spend their summers padding their college résumés with coding and language camps. That changed again when the world closed for COVID-19, and then reopened. Not all adults returned…
For Boston-area renters, high rental prices, low availability and a rising cost of living are some of the challenges that can stand in the way of stable housing. And those issues have had an outsized impact on Black and Latino renters, who are also more likely to face discrimination from real estate agents and landlords, according to a 2020 study from Suffolk…
Call to Action! After receiving over 6,500 requests this year and no donations so far, ABCD is looking for help. Most toys will do, but they are looking for items for kids 10 to 12. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than by spreading some holiday cheer to children and families in…
Poverty in Boston is changing, and as a result, the ways in which ABCD responds to poverty are evolving. ABCD’s mission remains the same – providing low-income households with the tools needed for economic success. But a deeper understanding of what poverty means today can make our work more effective. Poverty is often defined by a single number: the Federal…
In a bustling storefront in Coolidge Corner, Eureka! Puzzles & Games is home to bright blue and green walls. Miniature Earth models. Custom jigsaw puzzles. And lately, lots of customers. “Demand is certainly higher than pre-pandemic levels,” said owner David Leschinsky. “It’s holding strong.” Toy retailers — from big box stores to neighborhood shops — have accommodated growing crowds during…
