Over 12.5% of people in Hampshire County live in poverty and over 30% live near that edge (Source: United for Alice).

Traditional poverty measures do not capture the scope of our neighbors’ financial struggles. Adding in the near poverty rate shines a light on the reality.

For these individuals and families, the cost of living outpaces what they earn. They struggle to meet basic needs like housing, food, transportation, health care, and education. Cash-strapped, they are forced to make impossible choices.

Our Goal

Over 90% of our investments go to programs that serve those in poverty and struggling with low income. Our goal is to address our region’s greatest social service needs. Poverty and low income are that greatest need.

There is no one fix for poverty and low income. We are here for the myriad of agencies working in and on this issue. We provide them with funding to grow and for proven services they can’t support otherwise. We help them with collaboration, fundraising, marketing, and strategy. We thoroughly review programs to make sure the ones with the greatest impact have the support they need.

We help our partner agencies and programs be the best they can be, because we envision a Hampshire County where everybody—regardless of income level—can support themselves and their families, and contribute to our community.

Take Action

Our partner agencies—those we fund—work to fighting poverty and near poverty. You can help. Learn about poverty-related legislation and contact your legislator.

Bruce’s Story

You may have met Bruce at some point over the last twenty years if you ate breakfast or lunch at the Blue Bonnet Diner in Northampton. Bruce was proud to have worked there for two decades. Everything changed one day when he suffered a stroke while walking to work. As he recalls, “one day you wake up, and your life changes. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t work. I didn’t know what to do.”

While he was receiving treatment at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, a social worker reached out to Danielle McColgan, a case manager at Center for Human Development, an agency funded by United Way of Hampshire County. Danielle responded immediately, helping Bruce apply for social security and disability benefits, working with other agencies to find a place for him to live, and assisting him with basic needs like getting food and a phone.

Bruce ended up as one of ninety-five people living in six, single room occupancy residences in Northampton. He meets Danielle every Friday for coffee, when she visits his building. “My goal is to keep everyone here housed, says Danielle.” To that end, she helps each tenant with their specific needs. “Sometimes it might just be giving someone a ride to the Survival Center. Other times I might have to talk to someone’s physician or counselor to help them navigate the medical or benefits system. Whatever I need to do to keep them on the right path, I’ll do it.”

Danielle’s grassroots efforts have enabled her to develop trusting relationships with tenants. And research has proven that this type of supportive housing is a cost-effective solution to homelessness.

Today, Bruce says “This place rocks. I don’t know where I would be without Danielle.”