Jobs for Youth
For FY09, the AGO will again provide grant support to youth programs across the state for job skills training, mentorship and enrichment activities, as well as direct job placements. Two of our outstanding FY08 programs are highlighted below:
The Teen Resource Project in Holyoke employs youth as "WHY Read" (We Help You Read) tutors in support of Holyoke's innovative literacy improvement campaign.
Methuen Arlington Neighborhood (MAN), Inc.
MAN, Inc., participants split their responsibilities between the Safe Haven After School Homework Center at the Lena Lahey Community Center, the Nevin's Memorial Library, and the Saturday Movies & Crafts Program.
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Grant Opportunities
Organizations are always on the lookout for new sources of funding. Some that may be of interest to you:
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During these difficult economic times, it is extremely important for all Massachusetts residents to educate themselves in the area of financial literacy: consumer credit, home and housing, scams and other risks, and many others. The AGO website provides information to empower consumers to protect their financial well-being, as well as means for filing complaints or seeking other remedies:
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 Welcome to the first issue of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) quarterly newsletter, Building Better Communities. Our goal is to provide a snapshot of information, programs and resources that help to make positive changes in the Commonwealth and for its residents in areas such as: consumer protection; energy and utilities; environmental and community health and safety; employment; charities and nonprofit organizations; and economic development, among others.
We hope this newsletter will help you stay informed and will support your efforts to advocate on behalf of the health, safety and rights of your constituents. Our office welcomes the opportunity to work with you in these efforts in support of our continued commitment to efficient and effective responses to individuals, businesses, and other organizations across the Commonwealth.
I encourage you to read this newsletter and share it with your colleagues. We always welcome any feedback about how we can make this newsletter most helpful to you. If you have suggestions, thoughts or questions, please respond to us at agonewsletter@state.ma.us.
Cordially,
Martha Coakley
Massachusetts Attorney General |
 Employment Outreach Recognizing that many employees across the Commonwealth are unaware of the protections offered to them under the law, the AGO has launched a series of public awareness campaigns in hopes of reaching some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable workers.
Multi-Lingual Outreach
The AGO has launched a multi-lingual campaign to educate employees about their rights in the workplace. This campaign included the creation of the Attorney General's Guide to Workplace Rights and Responsibilities, produced a wide array of languages, including: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Chinese, Haitian, Khmer, Russian, and Vietnamese. The release of these materials also coincides with the launch of a new multi-lingual website, www.MassWorkRights.com, providing wage and hour information in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Russian. Keep your eyes and ears open for a series of foreign-language newspaper and radio ads highlighting this campaign.
Youth Employment Outreach
In late spring of 2008, the AGO launched a high school outreach campaign to educate teenagers of their rights in the workplace. The centerpiece of the 2008 campaign is a series of posters available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, targeting teens and presenting them with basic wage and hour information. In addition, the AGO released The Attorney General's Guide for Working Teens, providing teens valuable information to protect teens in the workplace. The guide covers such topics as: work permits, prohibited jobs for teens, workplace hazards, and workers' compensation.
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 Energy Tips
Higher energy prices are impacting all customers, from individuals living in small apartments to large businesses. Low income customers are facing increased shut-off notices and loss of services, and families are in the difficult position of making financial sacrifices to meet their energy needs. The AGO website features a number of consumer tips for managing energy use: Energy Saving Tips. |
 Improving School Climate Grantees The AGO recently awarded over $400,000 in grants to 14 community organizations and partnering schools. The funds will be used for bullying prevention, education, outreach and peer mediation programs that have been demonstrated to improve school climate. Congrats to the FY09 grantees, who hail from across the Commonwealth: Lowell, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Brighton, Taunton, Fitchburg, North Adams, Peabody, Athol, Orange, Somerville, and Randolph. For detailed information and complete list of grantees, view a press release on the AGO website. |
 Charities and Non-Profit OrganizationsThe AGO is responsible for protecting the public's interest through oversight of charities and non-profits in the Commonwealth. In June, our office hosted the Spring 2008 Non-Profit and Charities Conference in Westford, to provide trustees, directors, administrators, and consultants with current information and guidance regarding a wide range of matters that affect non-profit charitable organizations. Workshops were held by professionals in the field, and topics included formation and maintenance, improving financial support, reporting and accountability standards, governance, crisis management, and opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. The Non-Profits & Charities section of the AGO website provides guidance and numerous materials for charities and non-profit organizations. | |
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