Forum on Impact of Poverty in the Pioneer Valley and Recent Report on Addressing Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity
WHAT: Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) will host an economic opportunity forum to review and discuss the findings from a new report on poverty written by MassBudget called “Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Together.” MASSCAP, Community Action of Pioneer Valley (CAPV), Springfield Partners for Community Action (SPCA), and Valley Opportunity council (VOC) will be co-sponsoring the event, where the results of the poverty study and the way forward will be highlighted by a panel discussion.
MASSCAP, the statewide association of 23 Community Actions Agencies (CAAs) operating in Massachusetts, commissioned the study, an update of previous findings from the agency.
This landmark report, written and presented by MassBudget, is underwritten by Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, The Boston Foundation, Cambridge Community Foundation, Eastern Bank, Essex County Community Foundation, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley, and Worcester Community Action Council.
WHO:
Representative Aaron Vega: MA Legislature, 5th Hampden District
Katie Allen Zobel: President and CEO, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Paul Bailey: Executive Director, Springfield Partners for Community Action
Linda Dunlavy: Executive Director, Franklin Regional Council of Government
Clare Higgins: Executive Director, Community Action Pioneer Valley
Stephen Huntley: Executive Director, Valley Opportunity Council
Frank Robinson, PhD: Vice President, Public Health, Baystate Health
WHEN: Friday, October 26, 2018 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts 333 Bridge Street Springfield, Massachusetts
About MASSCAP
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) is a statewide association of the 23 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) operating in Massachusetts. Through the combined skills and vision of its members, MASSCAP works to enhance the ability of each agency to better serve its clients. We work with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and other state agencies to open doors to self-sufficiency for low-income Massachusetts residents.
About Community Action Agencies (CAAs)
Community Action Agencies work to help our most vulnerable populations, especially the poor. Rooted in the communities we serve, we ensure that the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable are met. Our agencies provide basic social safety net services, including administration of services that help mothers and children afford nutritious food, assistance that prevents seniors from going cold in the winter, and centers that provide quality early child care to families. Last year, FY2017, CAAs helped more than 600,000 people in need.
We are also at the forefront of providing vulnerable populations with innovative services that help move individuals and families to economic independence. By employing thousands throughout the state, and by administering services whose funds create an important multiplier effect throughout communities, Community Action Agencies are important economic engines, especially in the Gateway cities of Massachusetts.
Joe Diamond, Executive Director Lisa Clay, Communication/Member Services Manager joediamond@masscap.org lisaclay@masscap.org 617-357-6086 617-357-6086