CFCS at the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network 2019 Conference

From left: Eva Millona, Bob Gittens, Rachel Heller, Jerry Rubin and MNN CEO Jim Klocke.

Last week, we were very excited to attend the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network’s 2019 Annual Conference! It was a busy day of informative workshops and connecting with organizations from all over our state. CFCS was also part of the program, as our Executive Director Bob Gittens moderated the keynote panel that opened the conference.

Bob and the panelists, Rachel Heller of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, Eva Millona of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and Jerry Rubin of JVS, discussed three topics of the day: the 2020 Census, workforce development and cliff effects. Ms. Millona stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring that every Massachusetts resident is counted in the census. Ms. Heller articulated the changes that need to be made within our organizations and our communities to curb the cliff effect, which occurs when a family begins to earn above the limits set by the state and becomes ineligible for subsidies on food, housing, child care and other benefits. And Mr. Rubin shared some of the strategies JVS has used to increase workforce development in communities across Massachusetts. At CFCS, we work with many different populations, and all of these issues directly impact the families and individuals we serve. We were proud to be represented by Bob as he moderated this important discussion.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network for another successful conference! It was a pleasure connecting with peer non-profits doing great work for Massachusetts.