Building a Network of Impact
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Building More Equitable Communities, Together
Change is happening at United Way of Massachusetts Bay.?Read on to learn about where we’re going!
In the first major organizational initiative following the launch of our new strategic direction to advance an economically-just region, we are building a network of organizational partners focused on expanding avenues to financial wellbeing throughout the region.? For the first time, we’re opening our application for funding to any eligible community partners providing direct services or advancing policy activities through 2030. Applications close July 14th!
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New Report Connects Rental Assistance and Housing Stability?
A new report co-authored by United Way, The Boston Foundation, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) outlines lessons learned during COVID-19 through the administration of the state’s primary emergency rental assistance program, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). The report finds that RAFT and other programs played a crucial role in housing stability during the pandemic and highlighted numerous ways in which the system could work more efficiently and effectively.?
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WCVB Fifty Years Fund Recipients Announced!?
We congratulate the recipients of the WCVB Channel 5 Boston Fifty Years Fund grants: empowerHER, Silver Lining Mentoring, The NAN Project and Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc. These organizations are all having a powerful impact on the lives of young people in our region and we're so grateful for their work. Thanks to J.P. Morgan for shining a spotlight on these incredible organizations at this year's Corporate Challenge!?
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Through the Eyes of a Volunteer: Unions and Volunteering ??
Our fourth food drive of the year was recently held in Quincy, where approximately 30 volunteers from Iron Workers Local 7 gathered at Central Middle School. Local 7 works primarily in the construction industry, putting up the skeletal structure of buildings, reinforcing concrete and working on bridges, facades, welding, and installing glass.? Despite the sun, these volunteers were ready to give their time and energy to help others without any expectation of reward.
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A Rallying Cry for Economic Inclusion via Matched Savings?
A bill to promote economic mobility through matched savings was recently?introduced to the Massachusetts Legislature by State Rep. Carmine Gentile and Senator Jamie Eldridge. If passed, this bill would help marginalized individuals in our region accumulate savings, establish credit, and participate in our economy.? As co-leaders of the matched savings coalition, United Way and The Midas Collaborative recently convened a panel discussion with the sponsors of the bill, as well as State Senator Pavel Payano and Kambiz Maali from the Cambridge Housing Authority. Watch this panel discussion, moderated by our own VP of Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building Juan Bonilla, to understand how critically important this effort is for achieving economic justice in our community.? ?
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Advocating for Funds to Expand Supportive Housing?
We recently joined State Representative Joan Meschino, State Senator Brendan Crighton, the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA), Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, Inc. (CHAPA) at a State House hearing to advocate for legislation to create a new Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to scale supportive housing for vulnerable individuals & families across the Commonwealth.? The legislation, backed by the Supportive Housing Coalition, would transform the Commonwealth’s homeless response system and help scale the availability of supportive housing throughout Massachusetts.? It is estimated that the Commonwealth needs to stably house 4,000 households with supportive housing across the state by January 2027 as a major step toward ending chronic and high need homelessness. ?
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The New Face of United Way
As we chart this new way forward, it’s important that the change we’re envisioning is highly visible to our community.? You’ll see us represent our work differently going forward – starting with a redesigned website.? Over the next several months, we’ll be reimagining our web presence with a clear communication of our new vision.? You can see the start of this work at our microsite, https://reimagine.unitedwaymassbay.org/?
Thank you?
Finally, we’d like to thank you for your support of United Way in this new chapter – we're happy to have you on this journey with us.?