Worcester Community Action Council Launches “Bridge to Prosperity” Pilot to Combat Cliff Effect and Advance Economic Mobility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Worcester Community Action Council Launches “Bridge to Prosperity” Pilot to Combat Cliff Effect and Advance Economic Mobility
Worcester, MA – May 16, 2025 – The Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), in partnership with Springfield WORKS and a statewide coalition of organizations, proudly announces the launch of the Bridge to Prosperity Pilot, a groundbreaking initiative designed to dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent working families from achieving long-term economic stability.
At the heart of the pilot is the “cliff effect,” a phenomenon where even modest increases in income can trigger sudden losses in public benefits, often leaving families worse off financially despite earning more. Bridge to Prosperity aims to change that reality by offering a practical and empowering solution.
In February 2025, WCAC enrolled six Worcester-area participants into the pilot, which serves an initial cohort of 18 participants across Massachusetts. Each participant receives monthly bridge payments to help stabilize their household finances while they pursue career advancement opportunities. At the conclusion of the two-year pilot, participants will also receive a $10,000 asset-building payment, helping them take a significant step toward lasting financial independence. Plans are underway to expand the pilot in the Worcester and South County areas, aiming to serve an additional 27 in the fall.
WCAC is proud to provide participants with individualized financial empowerment coaching and career guidance throughout the program, ensuring that each individual has the tools and support needed to achieve their goals. “This pilot is about more than just addressing income gaps,” said Marybeth Campbell, WCAC CEO. “It’s about investing in people, building opportunity, and creating systems that work for working families, not against them.”
The pilot, which is an extension of WCAC’s Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot, is being independently evaluated by the Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston, which will analyze outcomes and recommend policy solutions to mitigate the cliff effect statewide.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Worcester Community Action Council on this groundbreaking pilot, and supporting working families in the Worcester area,” said Kristen Joyce, Director of Bridge to Prosperity Cliff Pilot at Springfield WORKS. “Through the Bridge to Prosperity pilot program, we are testing a real solution to the cliff effect, which we know is a challenge not only for individual workers trying to advance, but also for businesses wanting to retain talent and meet their workforce needs. We look forward to continuing our work together this year as we seek to expand and serve up to 100 participants across the state.”
Efforts are already underway to expand the pilot to serve up to 100 participants across Massachusetts, with a focus on reaching workers in sectors most affected by the cliff effect. WCAC calls on employers, funders, and legislative partners to join the movement:
- Employers: Interested in supporting your employees through this pilot? Let’s connect.
- Funders: Help us strengthen the workforce and promote economic resilience, your support is vital.
- Legislators: We urge you to support continued funding for this initiative and to advance policy solutions that eliminate the cliff effect for good.
Together, we can build a bridge to prosperity, one that ensures hard work truly pays off.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Kristen Joyce, Director of Bridge to Prosperity Cliff Pilot, by phone at 413.775.1365, or by email at .
