Speak United

Food Stamp Challenge Day One

Meghan Keaney — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:00:32 -0500

Ok, here is my attempt to spend only $21 on groceries for the week -- the average benefit amount for individuals on Food Stamps in Massachusetts. Given the rising costs of food and basic needs, a number of us (18 participants right now) decided to try to participate in a Food Stamp Challenge. For more information on the challenge and why we're doing this now, see Paola's previous post. For coverage of my first day on the challenge, read on... read more »

Economic Anxiety into Action

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:36:04 -0500

A few weeks ago as the stock market went through yet another round of dives, a friend of mine got an email from his financial advisor that read, in jest, “I hope you’re not standing near any windows.” He told me about it with a shrug and I agreed, it’s getting pretty scary out there. The issue has continued to inhabit the uneasy consciousness of people of every age group from any social and economic background throughout the nation. It has replaced "weather" as the primary discussion topic among strangers. It has dominated nearly every section of every paper or media outlet, so much so that the recent presidential debate which was intended to focus on national security, returned again and again to one looming question: What do we do about the economy? read more »

Investing in children -- better than Wall Street?

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:25:29 -0500

As government purse-strings are tightening in the midst of economic uncertainty, the Partnership for America's Economic Success recently gathered to propose focusing our national and local investments in children.

As Weekend America Public Radio reports: "Hedge fund managers, CEOs and chamber of commerce presidents may not seem like obvious advocates for the expansion of social programs, but they've become perhaps the most enthusiastic and effective supporters of preschool. read more »

Update on Hurricane Gustav

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:12:01 -0500

Gustav officially made landfall today in Louisiana. A group of volunteers has already created a wiki to centralize information about the storm, available resources and ways to help. MSNBC has posted a really good map of the storm's path and United Way's 211 hotlines have already received 500-1500 calls a day per center. By Wednesday morning, residents are expecing 6-12 inches of rain over portions of Louisiana, Southern Mississippi and Arkansas, with up to 20 inches in some locations. I thought I'd pass along an update that I recieved today about United Way's expectations and response to Gustav. If new information comes in as the storm progresses, I'll let you know. The following is an update we've received from Erin Sammons, United Way of America Director of Crisis Preparedness, Response and Recovery:

"The Coordinated National Response Core Crisis Team at United Way of America has been mobilized to help local United Ways and people throughout the region: read more »

Oct 15: Blog Action Day on Poverty

Meghan Keaney — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:48:07 -0500

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo

Today, right now, one in four American households don’t have enough savings to meet their basic needs if their income is disrupted for more than three months. And we need to talk about it. According to a 2007 report by Brandeis University and Demos, one in four middle-class families are at high risk of slipping out of the middle class. And it's imperative that we come together to talk about it. On October 15 we'll have that chance. read more »

Caribbean Carnival

Meghan Keaney — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:46:13 -0500

On Sunday, fellow U-dubber Danielle Strong and I weaved in and out of the crowds during Cambridge's 16th annual Caribbean Carnival. Based in Afro-Caribbean traditions,the Carnival is a celebration of a diversity of cultures, music and dance. The following are some brilliant photos from photographer Tony Yang who covered the event.

read more »

Navigating College Loans

Meghan Keaney — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:30:35 -0500

A CBS report Sunday focused on the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)'s recent announcement that it will be unable to provide any more private student loans this year. Every year, thousands of local students rely on MEFA and other lenders to help finance their college educations. read more »

Ready for a New England Winter?

Meghan Keaney — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:36:05 -0500

According to a UMASS poll released yesterday, residents who heat their home with gas or oil could spend about 30% more, or nearly $1 billion extra this year than last -- a staggering figure which leaves me with one daunting question: Are we ready? read more »

Sherry's Story

Meghan Keaney — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:26:53 -0500

The following is the testimony from Sherry West at the Asset Development Commision's Public Hearing. read more »

Tinisha's Story

Meghan Keaney — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:26:23 -0500

The following is Tinisha's testimony for the Massachusetts Asset Development Commission's public hearing on the policies,
programs and practices that can better assist low and moderate income
families to build an retain assets, such as housing, savings and
retirement funds. This was the first public hearing in what will be a series of hearings on the financial stability of Massachusetts Residents. Here' is Tinisha's story...