Massachusetts

CORI law reform in Mass.

Meghan Keaney — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:47:27 -0500

Several years ago when I worked for an admissions office at a Simmons College I was assigned to run a college fair within the Suffolk County House of Correction. The women who were attending the fair were all incarcerated for short term sentences usually relating to drugs or assault charges. Most of them were close to concluding their time there, were still very young (20 to 25) and were trying to figure out what on earth they would do afterwards. Each of them came to my table. I was all idealism and promise, “We can figure out the financial aid situation, just apply and see what happens,” I remember telling them. “You can do anything.” Trouble was: they couldn’t do anything. The majority of them were interested in nursing. Simmons had a strong nursing program. But one by one, each of them informed me that it couldn’t happen, that the major would do no good because they’d never get through CORI to get a job after.

Yesterday at a hearing Governor Patrick called for CORI law reform... read more »

MA "Dead Last" in New Child Wellbeing Rankings

Clare Sanford — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:26:25 -0600

As you may have heard, a new Kids Count report about to be released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
places Massachusetts dead last (that would be number 50, el finito, the worst, bad news bears, etc.) in a state-by-state ranking of how low-income children fare in six areas, including social and emotional wellbeing and health... read more »

Tamara's Story

Meghan Keaney — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:57:01 -0500

On Monday, July 14th, The Massachusetts Asset
Development Commission held its first 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. At the hearing, residents from throughout the Commonwealth provided accounts of their personal experiences living and supporting families in today's economy. We'll keep you posted about future public hearings. The following is Tamara's testimony in response to the Asset Development Commission's questions... 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...