United Way of Greater New Bedford has been actively engaging in advocacy alongside our fellow United Ways across Massachusetts and the nation. Earlier this spring, our CEO, Michelle Hantman, joined her counterparts from across the state to meet with Governor Maura Healey and members of her administration to discuss how we can work together to build stronger, more equitable communities.
More recently, United Way of Greater New Bedford was at the table when Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll announced the creation of a statewide Anti-Hunger Task Force. With food insecurity at a crisis point and federal funding cuts threatening to make it worse, this Task Force will bring together partners including the Greater Boston Food Bank, Project Bread, United Way, MassCAP, and others to ensure families across Massachusetts have access to the food they need.
In Washington, D.C., our Chief Impact Officer Sarah Rose represented United Way of Greater New Bedford at the United Way Worldwide Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day. She joined more than 400 colleagues for policy updates, advocacy training, and conversations with policymakers. Together with the Massachusetts delegation, Sarah visited the offices of our state’s legislators, including a meeting with Senator Ed Markey. She also participated in a luncheon with several United States Senators, reinforcing the importance of United Way’s role in shaping policies that strengthen communities.
Through these collective efforts, we are making sure the voices of our community are heard at the local, state, and federal levels.