United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley - Live United

Real Estate Professionals Kick-Off Recruitment for United Way’s Community Builders

Brian Adams — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:13:54 +0000

More than 100 civic minded young professionals from the region's leading real estate firms attended United Way's Community Builders kick-off at the Ames Hotel last night. Organized by seven United Way Community Builders volunteers, including co-chairs Ben Sayles of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. and Wyndsor DePetro of Marcus Partners, the event aimed to recruit volunteers for a burgeoning number of projects around the city. Michael K. Durkin, United Way president and CEO, attended to show the organization's support for the group's work to transform neighborhoods through their skills. read more »

United Way Seeks Tax Prep Volunteers to Help Low-Income Residents Claim Funds Often Left Unclaimed

Brian Adams — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:26:46 +0000

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is seeking volunteers to assist with free tax preparation at eight sites in eastern Massachusetts. In 2011, more than 200 volunteers assisted 3,555 families with free tax preparation. As part of a larger effort to ensure more families claim the tax credits they have earned - credits they are often unaware even exist - in 2012 eight free tax preparation sites will serve residents of ten cities including Lawrence, Quincy, Lynn, Boston, Waltham, Chelsea, Revere, Randolph, Weymouth and Chelmsford. read more »

National Grid Foundation Meets United Way’s Basic Needs Challenge with Funding for Heating Assistance

Brian Adams — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:40:11 +0000

In direct response to United Way's $250,000 community challenge issued last month, the National Grid Foundation has designated $75,000 to be distributed among seven regional nonprofits providing heating assistance to families in need. National Grid Foundation's annual support of United Way's funding of a collective of basic needs services grew by 25 percent this year due to the increasing need of the region's residents. Following their contribution, the National Grid Foundation is asking residents to also come forward and assist those struggling to provide basic needs for their families. read more »

Chelsea Non-Profits Launch CONNECT to Bring Financial Stability to Impoverished Residents

Brian Adams — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:06:12 +0000

At two events on Thursday, January 19, six Chelsea non-profits will launch CONNECT, a new initiative to bring bundled financial stability services to the city's impoverished residents from a central location. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston will host a financial stability symposium entitled From Poverty to Economic Resilience targeted at non-profit and community leaders. The discussion will feature two panels focusing on the challenges currently facing Massachusetts residents and best practices for making impoverished families financially stable. read more »

Calls for Help

Brian Adams — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:51:35 +0000

United Way's 24-hour, statewide 2-1-1 call service received roughly 90,000 calls in 2011 from residents seeking assistance with veterans services as well as housing, utility payments, procuring food, becoming financially stable, emergency relief and childcare help. The call volume is a sharp increase from the 30,000 calls it received at the beginning of the recession in 2006. Adding to the increased need for assistance with services is the return of our nation's service members from overseas, an influx projected to impact the call center beginning in the first few months of 2012. read more »

FY13 State Budget: An Open Letter from United Way to Governor Deval Patrick

Brian Adams — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:44:55 +0000

The following is an open letter featuring United Way's budget requests for Governor Deval Patrick as he readies the Commonwealth's FY13 budget proposal. The letter was delivered to the office of the Governor on January 11, 2012.

More Bang for Community Bucks

Guest Blogger — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:25:28 +0000

Today, when President Obama called on Americans to be "All-In" to support pathways to education and jobs for disconnected youth, he could well have had Philadelphia's young "pushouts" in mind. Such youngsters are the target of efforts by the White House Council for Community Solutions to connect at-risk youth to education, jobs and mentors. read more »

United Way Applauds White House Focus on Employing America’s Youth

Brian Adams — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:03:09 +0000

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is applauding the White House's announcement of Summer Jobs+. read more »

Calls for Help Increase Dramatically at United Way’s 2-1-1 Service

Brian Adams — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:38:27 +0000

When the calendar turns to January 1, 2012 United Way's 24-hour, statewide 2-1-1 call service will have received roughly 90,000 calls from residents seeking housing, utility payments, procuring food, becoming financially stable, veterans services, emergency relief and childcare help. The call volume is a sharp increase from the 30,000 calls it received at the beginning of the recession in 2006. read more »

DYS Commissioner to Become New Executive Director of Boston’s Early Childhood Initiative

Brian Adams — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:37:33 +0000

Less than a week after Massachusetts was awarded up to $50 million in Race to the Top funding for early childhood education, Thrive in 5 has selected Jane E. Tewksbury as its new Executive Director. As of February 1, 2012, Tewksbury will assume her post as head of Boston's citywide movement to ensure that all children entering kindergarten have the resources and support they need for success in school and beyond. Tewksbury has served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services since 2005. read more »