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…
Every year, millions of U.S. households rely on a federally funded program to help pay their home heating bills. While benefits usually kick in on Nov. 1, because of the ongoing government shut down it’s unclear when — or if — that assistance will become available. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — better known as LIHEAP — helps about 6.7…
Every year, millions of U.S. households rely on a federally funded program to help pay their home heating bills. While benefits usually kick in on Nov. 1, because of the ongoing government shut down it’s unclear when — or if — that assistance will become available. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — better known as LIHEAP — helps about 6.7…
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…
On Nov. 1, the stakes in the federal shutdown escalate to inhumane levels. It’s time for the game of chicken that has gone on for nearly a month in the nation’s capital to end. President Trump and members of Congress need to reach a compromise, which is far from the dirty word it’s made out to be in this polarized…
More than a hundred generous people took their shots on TD Garden’s parquet floor last Monday evening (Oct. 6) as part of Action for Boston Community Development’s (ABCD) 14th annual Hoop Dreams event. Corporate donors pledged $10,000 each to compete in half-court games on the Celtics home court with teams comprising local teens and volunteers. “This is such a fun…
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran is taking an increasing toll on New England consumers, as a snarled global oil supply chain has consumers paying dramatically more for gasoline and home-heating fuel than they were before the war broke out. Average Massachusetts gasoline prices have risen nearly 40 cents over the past week, to about $3.31 a gallon, according to AAA, after long…