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…
In this bilingual explainer, NBC10 Boston and Telemundo NI break down what you need to know to get started on your taxes, including where to go if you need some help It’s tax season, and as paperwork starts coming in knowing exactly what you need to file can save you time and frustration. First of all, it’s important to know if you’re…
From draping curtains to dressing in layers, Louise Peatfield is finding interesting ways to try to stay warm. An unseasonably cold fall and skyrocketing home heating costs have created a dicey situation for many in Massachusetts. To make it worse, winter hasn’t even started yet. Combine these issues with cuts to the federal fuel assistance program and advocates are concerned…
Energy costs this winter are expected to rise, meaning you’ll likely pay more to heat your house or apartment. WBUR reporters Miriam Wasser and Yasmin Amer join us to talk about ways Massachusetts residents can apply for relief. LISTEN HERE
Massachusetts officials declined to say Monday whether they would accept new funding from the federal government that could boost unemployment benefits by $400 a week, as states scrambled to understand the controversial maneuver President Trump announced over the weekend. Charles Pearce, a spokesman for the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, said the Baker administration is reviewing the…
