ABCD expects to serve a total of 9,000 community residents through ARRA-funded programs between July 1, 2009 and September, 2010. A total of 1,284 community residents will be placed in paid employment using ARRA funds, including some 96 individuals who will be hired by ABCD.

ABCD Programs receiving a boost include:

Weatherization - Weatherization reduces heating costs and helps keep families warm. ABCD will be receiving more than $16 million in new ARRA funds to weatherize 1,423 housing units over three years.

Head Start - Head Start is receiving ARRA funding that will provide salary increases for teachers and other frontline staff in neighborhood programs. In addition, ABCD Head Start will be seeking competitive ARRA funding to increase the number of Head Start and Early Head Start slots in Boston. These funds, if obtained, will support 56 Head Start preschool slots, based at nonprofit partner sites in Dorchester, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, and 146 Early Head Start slots for infants and toddlers.

Youth Employment - A total of 760 new SummerWorks positions for youth from low-income families will be added this summer and next summer. Youth are employed in community settings including child care centers and summer camps. They gain job skills, reinforce academic skills, and learn about money management. In addition, an expansion of year-round youth employment and career exploration services for low-income youth will provide a total of 170 youth with careers in areas including health care, green technology and financial services. They will also receive job-readiness training and paid internships in the career area of their choice

ABCD Neighborhood Services will also receive additional support in the the following areas:

• Homelessness Prevention
• Employment
• Access to Benefits
• Job Development
• ESOL
• Elder Services
• Financial Counseling

Click on any link above to learn more about these programs.