2023
Bought a community kitchen in Holyoke with Wellspring Cooperative
A place for us to begin the journey of a Community Land Trust in Holyoke, organize community members, practice governing together and support food justice in our community – a mission we began with ownership of the Dwight Street Garden.
Won a commitment for an Office of Tenant Protection
Mayor Garcia in Holyoke announced that he will work with us to create an Office of Tenant Protection.
No Cost Calls for Incarcerated Loved Ones
Communication to and from incarcerated loved ones has long been subject to price gouging, causing financial burden on families and increasing isolation. We won free phone calls, video calls and emails for people in state prisons and county jails in Massachusetts, one small but important step in keeping our communities whole.
2022
Won nearly $16M in funding for housing in Lynn
We won $5.5M in ARPA funding for solutions to the housing crisis outlined in our Community Housing Plan and an additional $10.4M for other affordable housing projects and programs in Lynn – in collaboration with our partners at Lynn United for Change and ECCO.
2021
Stopped Polluting Biomass Plant
Stopped a polluting biomass plant proposed in Springfield, MA, which already has some of the highest asthma rates in the country.
Launched First Community Garden
Launched our first community garden in Holyoke in response to the impacts of COVID-19 and food insecurity, and to ground the community in resiliency, land, and environment.
Won Environmental Justice Policy
Won the first-ever statewide Environmental Justice policy in Massachusetts alongside our partners at the MA Environmental Justice Table.
2019
Secured Funding to Repair Gerena School
Secured $2.5 million to fix severe mold issues at the German Gerena Community School in Springfield, MA.
2016
Won A Step Towards Criminal Justice Reform
Won a significant step in criminal justice reform by repealing automatic license suspension for people convicted of drug-related crimes.
2014
Won Earned Sick Time
Earned sick time for all workers in Massachusetts, allowing 1 million more people to take time off when they’re sick or need to care for a family member.
Increased the Minimum Wage
We increased the state minimum wage in 1999, 2006, and 2014, making Massachusetts’ the highest state minimum wage in the U.S.
Shut Down the Mt. Tom Coal Plant
Shut down the state’s last coal plant, which had contributed for years to Holyoke’s poor air quality and high rates of asthma.
2013
Won Translation & Interpretation for Parents
Lynn parents secured translation & interpretation for all parents and guardians in the Lynn Public Schools.
Restored Dental Benefits
Restored dental benefits to Mass Health, allowing everyone access to regular cleanings and fillings.
Expanded Public Transit
Expanded public transit in gateway cities, increasing the number of buses and trains to get our people to work and to school.
2010
Banned the Box: CORI Reform
An historic civil rights victory that made Massachusetts the 2nd state in the U.S. to prohibit employers from asking about a person’s criminal history on an initial job application.
2002
Closed Corporate Tax Loopholes
The most progressive tax reform in Massachusetts since World War II, eliminating the capital gains loophole as part of a fair tax package worth over $1 billion in new revenue.
1996
Increased Voter Engagement by 400%
Since 1996, we have increased voter engagement by 50% in the lowest-income districts in our cities, and by 400% in neighborhoods with historically low voter turnout.