Housing Families

On Monday, Housing Families attended a legislative briefing at the statehouse, convened by our partner, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless about the Everyone Needs ID bill. This bill would establish a process for individuals experiencing homelessness to get a standard MA ID, including a fee waiver for the associated cost of getting an ID and the ability to use a service provider’s address as required proof of residency. The current barriers to obtaining an ID disproportionately impact young people, especially those who identify as part of the BIPOC community. A key sentiment shared by speakers at today’s briefing was that without an ID, many opportunities, such as finding housing, work, and access to critically needed healthcare and social services, remain out of reach and perpetuate the cycle of homelessness. After unanimous and bipartisan approval led to its passage in the Senate, the bill currently sits in the House Committee on Ways and Means awaiting further action. This bill does not require the allotment of funds, and we are hopeful to get this bill on the Governor’s desk before the end of this legislative session. Please join Housing Families in supporting this bill by contacting your state representative today and ask them to share their support for this bill with members of the House Committee on Ways and Means! #EveryoneNeedsID.

Thank you all for an INCREDIBLE day at the 5th Annual Housing Families Fun Run! ?? What a perfect fall day it was! The sun was out and the energy and excitement from our fantastic community made the event so special.? Together, we raised an impressive $34,000! A huge thank you to all our outstanding sponsors Greystar, ProKeeping Preotle Lane, StonehamBank, Baystate Benefit Services, Inc., Krems, Jackowitz & Carman, LLP, AAFCPAs, Leading Edge Real Estate, United Way of Massachusetts Bay , Auxzillium - IT Services & Solutions, Rockland Trust, the Housing Families Youth Service and Engagement Program, Greenbrite Consulting, LLC, Juliet Jenkins Clancy Bros. Pest Control, Marathon Sports, and My First 5K Medal Thank you to every donor who generously supported the Fun Run. With you at our side, we will achieve our vision of housing equity and well-being for all! We can’t wait until next year! Fabulous photos by: Allan Dines #events #medford

Join our Give A Gobble event and support meals for our neighbors this Thanksgiving! We are partnering with The Food Drive, Melrose Alliance Against Violence, MelroseKind, and Temple Beth Shalom to provide meal kits to families in our programs. Will you help us to fight hunger and ensure the holidays are special for our neighbors? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gvpUQi77? #thanksgivingmeals #getinvolved #melrose #thanksgiving?

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual observance that honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Transgender people are far more likely to experience homelessness than cisgender people, which leaves them disproportionately vulnerable to violence and unsafe living situations. According to the Point-in-Time Count (PIT), homelessness and unsheltered rates among transgender people are increasing at an astounding pace. The number of adult transgender individuals experiencing homelessness increased 88 percent since 2016 and the number experiencing unsheltered homelessness increased 113 percent during the same period. Today and all days, we treasure the memories of those we have lost to violence and bigotry against the transgender community, and we are committed to our vision of housing equity, so that every member of the transgender community has a safe, healthy place to live. To learn more, check out these resources from GLAAD: https://glaad.org/tdor/ #tdor?

Last week, Housing Families had the honor of celebrating Senator Sal DiDomenico alongside friends and supporters, recognizing his remarkable?20 years of service. His unwavering commitment to?critical issues such as food security, lifting families out of poverty, fighting against wage theft, and ensuring access to legal counsel embodies his belief that EVERYONE deserves dignity and opportunity. Thank you, Senator DiDomenico, for your tireless efforts?to create a stronger, fairer,?and more compassionate community. Here's?to two decades?years of impact—and many more to come! Pictured from L-R: Renee Cammarata Hamilton, Laura Rosi, Esq., Senator DiDomenico, Katie Charcalis, MSW, MPH, Vilma Macdonald, Susan Stoker

We are thrilled to share the Give A Gobble event, hosted by our incredible partners in Melrose! Help us provide hundreds of meals this Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving

Did you know we have special prizes for our fundraiser raffle at the Fun Run, courtesy of StonehamBank, Marathon Sports, and Ann Wu, Housing Families Board Chair? The raffle is just one of the many amazing activities offered at the Fun Run! Check it out and sign-up: https://lnkd.in/ebGpFKqi #raffle #communityevents?

Housing Families is endlessly grateful to the Greystar New England team for their continued partnership and outstanding generosity. Thank you for making our work possible! #partners #greystar #thankyou

The Housing Families Fun Run is Saturday! Join us for activities and fun for all ages: - Pre-run yoga session with MOTA Fitness - A celebration with complimentary food and drinks? - Balloon artist, face painting, lawn games, cornhole, and more PLUS: Any registrant who raises more than $300 will be entered to win a week-long stay at Loon Mountain Resort! Sign-up here: https://lnkd.in/ebGpFKqi Thank you to our amazing sponsors for making the Fun Run possible! #sponsors #communityevents #thisweekend

Shoutout to the Humanitarian Club at Melrose High School for making 75 sandwich bag lunches earlier this month! We delivered them to a Saugus motel shelter serving unhoused families, and a Housing Families motel shelter in Malden serving unhoused individuals. #endhunger #foodsecurity