Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee

08/26/2026

⏰ Heads up, MA! Open Enrollment for 2027 health coverage starts earlier this year—running from Oct. 23 to Jan. 23. Now is the time to get ready:
- Open all messages from the Health Connector.
- Update your information.
- Upload any proof you owe.

Get ready early! Contact us to book an appointment or visit MAhealthconnector.org

08/24/2026

With just a couple more weeks of National , we wanted to highlight our health insurance program today. We believe wellness means more than eating well and staying active. It also means having the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can see a doctor, fill a prescription, or get preventive care when you need it. As a Health Connector Navigator agency, we help eligible individuals and families apply for MassHealth and coverage through the Health Connector Marketplace. Through our SHINE program, we also provide free, unbiased assistance to people navigating Medicare. Our support doesn't stop once an application is submitted. We also help people understand their benefits, complete renewals, resolve insurance issues, find doctors that are in network, and answer questions about coverage. You can learn more about our health insurance program here: https://www.ceoccambridge.org/health-insurance-assistance

08/17/2026

It's the third week of National and today we're highlighting our food security services! Wellness starts with having reliable access to nutritious food. That's why we are committed to supporting both food security and nutrition security, because it's not just about having enough food, but having access to the healthy foods that help people thrive. At our client-choice food pantry, neighbors can choose from a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other nutritious staples, making it easier and more affordable for families to prepare healthy meals. And through our SNAP outreach program, we help eligible individuals apply for benefits so they can purchase the foods that are right for their household. SNAP also gives people access to the Healthy Incentives Program, which provides additional funds when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from participating farmers in Massachusetts. It's a great way to stretch food dollars while bringing even more fresh, local produce home.

To learn more about our food pantry, visit: https://www.ceoccambridge.org/food-pantry
To learn more about our SNAP services, visit: https://www.ceoccambridge.org/snap-food-stamps-assistance

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

It's the second week of National , and today we're highlighting our economic empowerment program. Financial wellness is a very important part of overall wellbeing, and we make sure we offer a diverse range of financial empowerment services. We provide workshops for all ages on topics like saving and budgeting, credit and debt, scam awareness, and more. We do financial coaching one on one with individuals. We also offer free tax preparation, assistance with college financial aid through FAFSA, and we help people access all the public benefits they are eligible for so they can maximize their income. You can find more information about our program on our website: https://www.ceoccambridge.org/financial-education-and-coaching

08/07/2026

We're so proud of this collaboration!

🌍 Cambridge is creating a "Place of Belonging" for Ethiopian Elders

Thanks to the leadership of Yemi Kibret and partnerships across our city, over 30 older adults are finding community, learning English, accessing health resources, and participating in civic life.

What started as "Ethiopian Hour" in early 2024 has grown into something remarkable—with support from the Cambridge Council on Aging, Cambridge Community Learning Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Public Health Department, and Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee. Together, they're offering:

✓ English language classes
✓ Health workshops and wellness programming
✓ Transportation support
✓ Citizenship and civic participation resources
✓ Cultural celebrations and community events

This is what happens when we listen, collaborate, and center community voices. Read the inspiring story of how multiple city departments and nonprofits came together to build something transformative. 👉 https://bit.ly/4540BI3

08/06/2026

Yesterday, we were honored to receive the Cambridge Housing Authority Community Partnership Award! The CHA staff nominated CEOC, which makes it even more special. The award recognizes organizations that partner with the CHA to expand opportunities and improve quality of life for residents through policy innovation and economic empowerment. We're grateful for our partnership with CHA and love being able to support CHA residents!

08/03/2026

August is National Wellness Month! Each Monday this month, we'll highlight a different program and how it promotes wellness for our community. First up is Journey to Hope: CEOC's Wellness Support Service. In Journey to Hope, coaches work one on one or in a group setting with participants. Sessions focus on managing stress, problem solving, self-care, and connecting to social support. Our program evaluation found that compared to when participants started the program, they experienced less depression and stress by the end of the program. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.ceoccambridge.org/journey-to-hope-wellness-support-service

07/31/2026

Yesterday was a very fun change of pace - we organized a dance class, taught completely in Spanish, for a group of our Spanish-speaking participants! In partnership with The Dance Complex and Anara from Metamovements Latin Dance Company, participants got to learn 4 different dance styles in a judgment-free zone where they could tap into movement that felt good and joyful for them. After the class, the Cambridge Public Health Department Healthy Eating and Active Living team shared results from their recent physical activity assessment and got the community's input. The event was a huge hit - everyone was asking when the next class would be!

07/23/2026

Our food pantry was filled to the brim yesterday, it felt like a farmers market! When we order food for our pantry, fresh fruits and vegetables are our top priority because our neighbors have told us that's what they most want to receive. We were proud to stock more than 10 different fruits and vegetables yesterday (including beets for the first time!) and got great feedback from our visitors!