United Way of Massachusetts Bay

08/19/2026

✨ A lot has been happening in our Shared Services program this month!

Earlier this month, 20 aspiring family child care educators participated in EEC Foundation Tech Day, offered in partnership with the MA Dept of Early Education and Care, where they strengthened the technology skills needed for their licensing journey and future business operations.

💻 Through hands-on learning, participants explored licensing requirements, technology basics, and digital ethics. They also received the equipment they'll use throughout the program, including laptops, headsets, mice, and other resources.

By combining professional development with practical tools, we're helping future educators build the skills and confidence they need as they work toward becoming licensed family child care providers.

08/18/2026

🌡️☀️ As extreme weather becomes more frequent and less predictable, preparation is more important than ever.

Through United We Prepare, a disaster resiliency initiative led by United Way Worldwide with support from Verizon, we recently hosted an extreme heat preparedness workshop for family child care providers.

24 educators participated in the training, gaining practical strategies and resources to help prepare for and respond to extreme heat emergencies. From planning ahead to creating safer indoor environments, providers left with tools they can put into practice right away to support the health and well-being of the children in their care.

"Boston has already experienced two 100-degree days this year for the first time in 74 years. For family child care providers, who care for some of our youngest and most vulnerable residents, being prepared for extreme weather has become increasingly urgent."
Melinda Weber, Vice President, United Way of Massachusetts Bay's Shared Services Family Child Care Business Incubator

08/11/2026

Ensuring people can get the health care they need is essential to building thriving, healthy communities. It impacts all of us. Yet beginning in January 2027, approximately 360,000 MassHealth members may face new work and education requirements and new administrative hurdles that could cause eligible residents to lose coverage because of missed paperwork or reporting deadlines.

We were proud to stand today with the Governor Maura Healey, MassHealth, State Senator Pavel Payano and State Representative Andy X. Vargas at Community Action, Inc. in Haverhill to announce an education and outreach campaign aimed at preventing unnecessary coverage loss by helping MassHealth enrollees and applicants understand what changes are coming, who is affected, and what steps need to be taken to keep their coverage.

Government, nonprofits, philanthropy and employers all have a role to play in making sure our most vulnerable residents understand what is changing, what they need to do and where to get assistance navigating the health care system if they need it.

United Way is proud to work alongside the Healey-Driscoll administration and support its proactive approach to leverage trusted messengers in the community, raise awareness about the changes, minimize administrative barriers and most importantly, keep eligible residents covered.

🔗 Read more about the MassHealth education and outreach campaign here: https://bit.ly/4g4TVhY

07/31/2026

Our Federal Response Call with Congressman Jim McGovern reminded us that behind every federal policy decision, there are real people, families, employers and communities. In this blog post, we share our takeaways from the conversation with the Congressman, a national leader on human rights, food security, immigration and more. Moderated by our President and CEO Marty Martinez, we covered a range of topics from the loss of work authorization for those holding Temporary Protected Status to the impacts on housing, food security, childcare, health care and local economies.

Collaboration across sectors is needed now more than ever. In these moments of uncertainty, United Way is committed to continuing to bring together nonprofits, government, philanthropy and businesses, and community leaders to understand impacts, coordinate responses and advocate for solutions.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4h8CIpT

07/01/2026

🚨 Heat Wave Incoming🌡️🌞
Massachusetts is heading into several days of extreme heat, with “feels like” temperatures nearing 100°. For many families, this isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous.

Extreme heat hits hardest for older adults, young children, and households without access to air conditioning. For families already stretched thin, staying safe can mean higher energy bills and impossible choices. No one should have to choose between staying cool and affording essentials like food, housing, or medicine.

That’s why partnerships matter. United Way of Massachusetts Bay is working with National Grid and the National Grid Foundation to connect residents to energy assistance, helping families afford to stay cool. We’re also partnering with local nonprofits to reach seniors and vulnerable neighbors, and with Verizon through the United We Prepare- a disaster and climate preparedness initiative- equipping family childcare providers with tools and training to respond to extreme heat and keep young children safe.

Look out for one another:
📄 Find and share these resources to help someone stay safe. Click here: https://bit.ly/4xWVfLI and https://bit.ly/3SzqKeR
✅ Check in on neighbors and loved ones
📢 Help spread the word, not everyone has a safe place to cool down

Together, we can keep our community safe.

As our region enters a four-day stretch of temperatures approaching 100 degrees along with oppressive humidity, thousands of families are facing a more than an uncomfortable week. Extreme heat is a growing public health threat, disproportionately impacting young children, older adults, people with c...

07/01/2026

What rises to the top as the legislative session comes to a close, the final stretch when lawmakers work to pass their most important bills before time runs out?

🎙️ Episode 3 of Let’s Talk Policy focuses on these end-of-session priorities, featuring State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who represents Chelsea City of Chelsea Massachusetts- Gov and parts of Cambridge and Boston.

During a busy period at the State House, our policy team sat down with Senator DiDomenico to discuss what he and his team are working to advance, from the ENOUGH Act to securing local aid, strengthening food security, and supporting education funding in the FY27 budget.

As the session winds down, conversations like these play a critical role in determining what ultimately gets across the finish line, what becomes law, and what it means for communities across the Commonwealth.

We’re grateful for his leadership and proud to keep partnering with him, and others across the State House, to move this work forward.

06/30/2026

A true servant leader. Thank you Dennis Carman of United Way of Greater Plymouth County for your decades of impact in our region. We are grateful for your commitment to ensuring families have access to essential needs and to ending homelessness and for your leadership in bringing partners together around solutions. We wish you the best in your next chapter!

With Gratitude: A Message from Dennis Carman:

As I close this chapter and retire from my role as President and CEO, I do so with a full heart and immense gratitude. Today marks my final day with this remarkable organization after 20 years of service, and I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together.

Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing the power of community in action. Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners, donors, volunteers, advocates, and supporters, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and families throughout our region.

Together, we have expanded opportunities, strengthened families, responded to challenges, and built a stronger, more connected community. Every achievement has been made possible by people who believe deeply in helping others, and it has been an honor to work alongside so many compassionate and dedicated individuals.

As I reflect on my time here, I am filled with pride in what we have built and confidence in what lies ahead. While I may be stepping away, the mission continues, and I encourage you to remain engaged through your generosity, advocacy, and volunteer service. The future of our community depends on people like you who are willing to make a difference, and I know that the best is yet to come.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this organization and our community for the past 20 years. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime.

- Dennis

06/30/2026

Our CEO Marty Martinez reflects on Pride Month, sharing why this moment calls for both recognition and renewed commitment.

As Pride Month comes to a close, he points to both the progress we’ve made and the reality that too many LGBTQ+ young people in Massachusetts still face barriers to healthcare, housing, and economic opportunity. At a time when policy shifts are putting critical protections at risk, this reflection is a call to stay focused on what’s at stake and who is most impacted. These challenges aren’t personal failures. They reflect systemic inequities and stigma that persist today.

At United Way of Massachusetts Bay, we’re committed to building communities where every young person feels supported and able to thrive. That means investing in organizations like BAGLY, More Than Words and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, partners creating safe spaces, expanding opportunity, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth on their path to stability and success.

Belonging shouldn’t be conditional. It’s something we all have a responsibility to protect.
💙❤️🧡💛 Support LGBTQ+ youth, not just during Pride, but every day.

👉 Have a read:

By Marty Martinez, President and CEO  Pride Month is a celebration of identity, resilience and the ongoing pursuit of creating communities where everyone can live and be accepted as their authentic selves. As a gay man in this community, I know too well that while Pride Month is an opportu...

06/26/2026

Following yesterday's Supreme Court ruling allowing the federal government to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, United Way of Massachusetts Bay President and CEO Marty Martinez joined Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune at a State House press conference to activate the United Response Fund.

The expiration of TPS jeopardizes our workforce and economy, as thousands of legally authorized, hardworking immigrants may lose their ability to work. This could leave many struggling to meet basic daily needs related to housing, utilities, food, health care and childcare.

The United Response Fund will support organizations on the front line in providing emergency financial assistance to impacted individuals and families statewide.

This is a moment for rapid, coordinated action and for partners across sectors to come together to help stabilize the safety net for our TPS-impacted neighbors. Find out how you can help.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4oEWo5m

📷Emily Boyle, Governor's Office