MCC Law Center benefits from consumer advocacy grant

LOWELL — Attorney General Maura Healey has awarded $1.28 million to 18 local consumer advocacy programs statewide, including the Middlesex Community College Law Center Consumer Protection Program.

The grants are funded by settlement funds, according to a news release by Healey’s office. Local consumer advocacy programs help mediate consumer issues, and provide information on state and federal consumer protection laws.

In fiscal year 2020, local consumer advocacy programs played a role in more than 7,000 cases and returned more than $2 million to consumers, the release states.

The MCC Law Center has handled more than 10,000 cases since 1990, and helped consumers save more than $4.5 million.

“Local Consumer Programs connect Massachusetts residents with important resources, teach them about their rights, and arm them with the tools they need to make smart decisions as consumers,” Healey said in a news release. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with organizations across the state that advocate for consumers every day.”

The following other programs received grants: the Berkshire Regional Housing Authority in Pittsfield; Chelsea Collaborative Inc.; the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing; the City of Cambridge Consumers’ Council; the City of New Bedford Department of Community Services; the City of Revere Consumer Affairs Office; the City of Springfield Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information; the City of Worcester Office of Human Rights and Disabilities; the Consumer Assistance Council of Cape Cod in Hyannis; the Consumer Assistance Office of Metro West in Natick; the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc.; the MASSPIRG Education Fund in Weymouth; the Medford Consumer Advisory Commission; the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing in East Boston; the North Essex Dispute Resolution Center in Newburyport; the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit in Greenfield; and the South Shore Community Action Council Inc. in Plymouth.

Article by Nicole DeFeudis, Lowell Sun