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Meghan Keaney Anderson
Tue, 03/02/2010

Patriot Jerod Mayo shoots a PSA for United Way

"Do you want to see dimples?"

There's a great  post up on the Herald right now by Ian Rapoport (also via twitter on @rapsheet) that gives a  behind-the scenes look at a public service announcement New England Patriots Linebacker Jerod Mayo filmed today for United Way.  The public service announcement is promoting 2-  read more »

Paola Ferrer
Fri, 02/26/2010

Follow the Leaders

best practices to maximize federal nutrition benefits

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) recently unveiled a resource guide for states with key ideas that will help leverage additional federal nutrition benefits for low-income families. Massachusetts is among the leaders in the implementation of novel ideas and the contributors to this report.  read more »

Paola Ferrer
Thu, 02/25/2010

Hunger in Massachusetts

report reveals crisis

A recent study led by Feeding America with the support of its local affiliate, the Greater Boston Food Bank, reveals that hunger is more pravalent than most of us might think.  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Wed, 02/10/2010

Helpline calls reveal portrait of a community still in recovery

United Way reports that Mass 2-1-1 usage has surged by nearly 45% since last fiscal year

Despite indications that the economy may be rebounding, new data from Mass2-1-1, United Way’s statewide helpline for health and human services, reveals that calls for help from Massachusetts residents continue to grow. In 2009, 2-1-1 answered more than 50,000 calls for help in Massachusetts.  read more »

Claire Parrish
Tue, 02/09/2010

Governor releases 2010 budget

a response from United Way's Claire Parrish

With the use of the words ‘budget cut’ in just about every sentence spoken in the Public Policy arena these days, one could get pretty easily discouraged. As he is required to do, Governor Patrick releases an annual state budget proposal every year in January. This year, we held our breath waiting to see what the projected budget would be for the coming year. What we found was bittersweet.  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Fri, 02/05/2010

Know your way around tax season

New credits and extended eligibility that you should know about

Welcome to tax season -- a time for W2s, 1090s, 1040Ezs and other forms that could double as robot names. As years go, 2009 was a turbulant one for many tax filiers. The good news is, there are some important changes to tax filing and new and extended credits that were created to help taxpayers impacted by the recession this year. Some of these tax tips and changes are listed below, even more can be found at United Way's Smart Choices Guide online. So good luck and happy filing. Let me know if you found the info below helpful or if you know of other tips to include.  read more »

Meghan Keaney Anderson
Fri, 01/22/2010

The United Way Financial Stability Center, Powered by SPIN

June Blair, coordinator of the United Way Financial Stability Center, powered by SPIN gives a tour of the facility on 270 Union Street in Lynn and the work that is done there every day to help people bridge the gap from financial crisis to economic empowerment.  If you've haven't heard about the center yet, it's worth reading up on it read more »

Paola Ferrer
Thu, 01/14/2010

Give Wisely

Haiti Earthquake Relief and American Altruism

Tuesday’s catastrophic earthquake in Haiti has mobilized federal, city and state governments, community based organizations, schools, corporations, and individuals towards the relief effort, but many are asking this singular question: what can I to do to help?  read more »

Paola Ferrer
Thu, 01/14/2010

Une pensée pour tout ceux qui souffrent en Haïti…

and a bit of information for people seeking help

Less than 24 hours after what has become one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the Americas, a group of government and community leaders gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End to provide information and hope to hundreds of concerned citizens.  read more »

Alicia Canady
Thu, 01/14/2010

Haiti Disaster - The Day the Earth Stood Still

What do we tell a country that has seen many years of pain, corruption, poverty and despair before disaster struck on Tuesday, Jan 12th interrupting the lives of 3million plus? No one or country can ever prepare for a time such as this... being buried alive, suffering under rubble because your country cannot afford the proper tools to remove you, fear because you cannot locate your family members, anger and frustration because you cannot get help for the loved one who is bleeding in your arms nor a hug of comfort from someone who can help because everyone around you is in need. Chaos...  read more »