News & Awards

Back on Track: Helping Residents Overcome Rental Debt and Move Forward For residents facing mounting rental debt, the path to housing stability can feel overwhelming. Connected Communities Foundation and its Boston community development corporation (CDC) partners are helping residents find a way forward through a coordinated approach that combines repayment plans, financial education and debt forgiveness. Originally launched as the

Preventing eviction requires more than addressing past-due rent. It takes coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to helping residents overcome financial challenges before they threaten housing stability. That collaborative approach recently earned Connected Communities Foundation and its Boston community development corporation (CDC) partners an Outstanding Partnership Award from the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) for their work developing

After five years of commitment, 41 graduates are celebrating their achievements and looking ahead to new financial opportunities for themselves and their families. For 41 graduates of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, Oct. 8 marked more than the completion of a five-year commitment. It was a celebration of financial growth, personal determination and the possibilities that come with building a

The Maintenance Apprenticeship Program launches its largest cohort yet, creating career pathways and strengthening the maintenance workforce. A career can begin with an opportunity, the right training and someone willing to invest in your potential. The Maintenance Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is opening doors to careers in property maintenance. This month, Connected Communities Foundation and WinnCompanies welcomed 27 apprentices to Cohort

2026 NAAEI award recognizes excellence in apartment industry workforce developments BOSTON, Mass. (June 30, 2026) – Connected Communities Foundation and WinnCompanies announced today that their Maintenance Apprenticeship Program has been named the recipient of the 2026 National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) Anthony V. Pusateri Comprehensive Program Award. The award was presented during the National Apartment Association’s Excellence Awards Apartmentalize

Imagine getting a call that changes your routine overnight. A parent needs help after a fall. A spouse begins to forget important details. A loved one can no longer manage daily tasks alone. For millions of Americans, this is not a hypothetical situation. It is everyday life. Caregiving often begins quietly. A quick check-in turns into daily visits. Small tasks

At Connected Communities, we’ve always believed in the power of resident services to strengthen both people and communities. Across the affordable housing industry, this impact has long been visible through increased housing stability, stronger community connections, and more effective property operations. What has often been missing is comprehensive data to fully quantify that impact. Two newly released reports help close

The Creating Solutions for Independence (CSI) Program at Prospect Heights is a dynamic community engagement and youth development initiative made possible through a partnership between the Pawtucket Prevention Coalition, Connected Communities, Winn, and Omni Development Corporation. Watch how CSI is making an impact at Prospect Heights: This work is more important than ever as recent data shows a shift in

In October, an anonymous donor stepped forward with a simple but powerful act of generosity – ensuring fresh produce deliveries at Wellington Community could continue through the winter and into January, when families often feel the strain of rising food costs and limited access most acutely. That initial act of care didn’t stop there. Moved by the impact, the same

On January 25, 2022, a devastating fire at the Pines of Perinton displaced more than 65 residents and destroyed 19 homes in Fairport, New York. Families lost not only their apartments, but the sense of safety and stability that comes with home. The impact of the fire made one thing clear: recovery would require more than repairs – it would