Press release and photos from Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts: A powerful coalition of local grassroots organizations, labor groups, faith leaders, and community advocates is pushing their “Working People’s Budget Priorities” for the Fiscal Year 2027 Lynn City Budget. Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts, a lead member of the coalition, convened the endorsing groups in order to collectively bring awareness to the need for the city to make real investments in the urgent and tangible needs of its working-class majority. Representing the city’s working-class and immigrant backbone, the coalition is calling for a targeted $1.6 million investment to address urgent needs in legal defense, youth opportunities, small business support, and public safety.
The demand comes as Lynn residents continue to face increasing pressures from federal immigration policies and a regional housing crisis. The coalition’s $1.6 million package represents a small fraction of the city’s approximately $553 million budget for last year and focuses on high-impact initiatives designed to protect and empower the city’s most vulnerable populations.
Key Priorities Include:
- Immigrant Legal Defense Fund ($300,000): Funding will expand capacity to support Lynn residents and families currently detained or facing deportation under ongoing federal enforcement policies.
- Unarmed Crisis Response (CALM) ($300,000): Expanding the capacity of the city’s Community Alternatives for Lynn (CALM) team to ensure mental health and non-violent crises are handled by trained professionals rather than law enforcement.
- Youth & Economic Development ($600,000): Establishing a city civic internship program and providing dedicated support for local small businesses to foster home-grown economic stability.
- Housing & Climate Resilience ($400,000): Providing legal support for those facing housing challenges and establishing sustainable warming and cooling centers in partnership with local churches to combat extreme weather.
“These priorities are not just line items; they are essential investments in the safety and dignity of our neighbors,” said Senior Organizer at Neighbor to Neighbor, Gabe Cohen-Glinick. “From legal protection for our immigrant families to unarmed crisis response, we are advocating for a budget that reflects the true needs of the people who keep Lynn running.”
“Budgets are moral documents, where a community decides what’s important enough to spendmoney on,” added Miles Gresham, Policy Director at Neighbor to Neighbor. “The organizations supporting this budget represent every area of the city, and we’re all saying the same thing- job opportunities for young people, help for small businesses, investments in public safety, and the protection of our civil rights are important enough to spend money on.”
The coalition of groups advocating for this initiative consists of Neighbor to Neighbor, Lynn United for Change, MA Senior Action Council, New American Association, North Shore Haitian Association, Lynn LUCE hub, Comité Primavera Nueva, ECCO, SEIU 509, Kakrona Center, and New Lynn Coalition.
About Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts
Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts (N2N) is a grassroots organization committed to building power in working-class communities of color to achieve racial, economic, and environmental justice. Through organizing, advocacy, and community engagement, N2N works to create a state where everyone can thrive. Learn more at n2nma.org
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