TransformingHousing Families Inc. Newsletter j Fall 2014 housingfamilies.org

LivesHousing Families Inc. (HFI) is finding new ways to bring therapy and tutoring to homeless children. Thanks to your support, we have continued to grow to serve more kids than ever in our GREAT Youth and Families Program.

When children enter our shelter, they are often wounded. They are frightened. They have one bag filled with their clothes and have left behind their home, their friends, their toys, and their sense of self.

With the support of donors like you, we help children heal and grow. You help to provide a warm, safe place that they can call home; school supplies; and a stable place for kids to learn academic skills to help them catch up to their peers. One of our kids meeting a kid!

In the GREAT Youth and Families

Program, kids can be kids again.

You are helping more kids than ever before

Tenancy Skills Workshops Build Long-Term SuccessProviding quality shelter and housing is only a part of what we do at HFI. We want to help our families build skills for long term success. Our case managers work with families to identify their needs and challenges, but also their strengths and aspirations.

Part of this effort includes Tenancy Skills Workshops for families. Families learn how to manage a household budget, clean and maintain a home, communicate in a timely manner with their landlord, and understand their lease.

Through intensive case management, coupled with these targeted workshops, families become stable, and never again face the risk of homelessness in their lives.

Art Therapy Helps Children Affected by TraumaThe GREAT Youth and Families Program provides play and art therapy to help children find new outlets for their emo-tions. Young kids who have experienced trauma are often unable to describe how they feel. For example, they may feel embarrassment, but express rage. As you can imagine, these outbursts negatively affect the children when they are at home or in school, where adults believe they are misbehaving.

In an art therapy environment, kids can express them-selves through art, music, and movement. One recent project involved kids creating masks—one side showed what they felt inside, the reverse side represented what they showed to the outside world.

The shame that accompanies homelessness does not only belong to adults. Children feel the same stress and need to learn coping skills to become healthy adults.

“They gave me hope! That’s how I turned my whole life around.” This is Patricia and her daughter Alexandra. Visit our website to hear their story: http://housingfamilies.org/news-events/videos/stories-from-homeless-families/

The “I have a dream” project— one of the activities kids can participate in during our after-school programming.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

HOUSING FAMILIES INC j FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER

HFI and Raising A Reader Work Together Helping Pre-School Aged Children and their Parents Bond Through Books This year our children’s program began working with a national non-profit organization, Raising A Reader. Raising A Reader provides pre-school aged children with early literacy intervention by training parents to read with kids to promote early brain development.

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial years for brain development. According to research, by the age of 3, children from low-income homes miss an average of 30 million words as compared to their peers. This begins the achievement gap prior to starting kindergarten!

Since parents are their children’s first teachers, it is vital to teach parents the tools they need to create a positive environment with their kids around interactive reading and interpreting new books. Parents and tutors are able to practice asking open-ended questions, using animated expressions and voices for each character, etc.

We give each child books to borrow and keep. This way, each child—regardless of income—will have access to books!

HFI is so excited to introduce these new strategies into our expanding programs for pre-school aged children.

We are excited to introduce you to our new AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America) for 2014-2015: Bryce Johnson, from Raleigh, NC, and Hilary Wolkan, from Ann Arbor, MI.

Bryce, the Volunteer Recruitment Specialist VISTA

at Housing Families, studied sociology at Appalachian State University, and joined AmeriCorps not only to be able to work in his area of interest, but also to gain more firsthand experience with poverty. Hilary, the Communica-tions and Development Support VISTA, is originally a student of archaeology and realized during graduate school that she actually wanted to dedicate her life to fighting poverty. AmeriCorps is a way for her to not only gain experience, but also to network in Boston, where she would like to stay after her service year ends.

Both VISTAS joined HFI in early August, have settled into life in Boston quite easily, and are already very passionate about their work with us. “Our goal to end

homelessness is our top priority,” Bryce said, “which means a constant desire to help others.” Hilary echoed this sentiment, saying “We focus on alleviating the symptoms of homelessness, but we also strive to prevent it before it even occurs.”

In addition to their enthusiasm for Housing Families’ mission, they appreciate the workplace environment. “The team not only is incredibly friendly and encouraging, they also promote creativity and new ideas,” Hilary remarked. Bryce put it most simply: “I could not have picked a better family to join.”

Bryce and Hilary will be with us until August 2015. We are so happy to welcome them to our family!

Our volunteers make our program possible. One-on-one tutoring and interactive reading help children make gains in school.

Please Welcome our new “family” members to the team

Would you like to learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA? VISTA is the national service program focused specifically on fighting poverty throughout America. Established in 1964, VISTA members make a year-long, full-time commitment to work for non-profits to help alleviate the causes and symptoms of poverty, providing organizational, administrative, and financial services for literacy, health services, housing, or other programs for low-income communities. Read more at: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista.

HOUSING FAMILIES INC j FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER

CommunityHow a piece of pizza can deliver hope for a bright future

It can be challenging to find time to do all of the things you want to do in a day, a week, or even a year— Especially while running a business or managing a family.

We are lucky to live in a community of very caring people who call and ask us how they can help. One such person is Malden business owner Joe Crowley of Pisa Pizza.

This summer, Joe, along with electrical union employees with Dorchester-based IBEW Local Union 2222, decided to join forces to give kids some great new experiences.

The union workers pooled their donations weekly to allow our kids to attend field trips, and then the kids stopped into Pisa Pizza for lunch and some pizza- flipping tutorials.

The chefs taught each child how to stretch and create their own pizzas. The kids even received their own Pizza Diplomas!

Joe became quite an inspiration to our kids as he explained that his successful Italian restaurant was the result of hard work and dedication. As a self-starter, Joe can relate to the struggles that face urban youth. He advised our teens to focus on their school assignments and always work hard, and their dreams can be achieved.

Joe is well known in the Malden community for being a very generous man. He can be found running fundraising programs that allow schools and sports groups to raise money for new uniforms, sports programs, field trips, etc.

Without these generous individuals, this summer’s programs would not have been the same. Thank you for joining our family!

A chef from Pisa Pizza teaching the

kids how to make their own pizzas.

The kids with Joe Crowley, owner of Pisa Pizza.

Thank you for a wonderful summer full of activities!

A successful pizza flip!

Adding the final touches.

Bowling after Pizza. What a wonderful way to spend a Thursday!

Jim Goebelbecker, CEO of Housing Families and Joe Crowley, owner of Malden-based Pisa Pizza.

Businesses Giving Back

HOUSING FAMILIES INC j FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER

As the leaves change and we get ready for our holiday events and drives, the HFI Advocacy Group has been bustling around Greater Boston

in order to represent not only HFI families, but also those across the state of Massachusetts.

The group visited Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Paul Brodeur at the State House and shared their stories about their own personal experiences with homelessness. They also advocated for more funding for housing subsidy programs such as the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, and a change in policy regarding eligibility for emergency shelters.

The Advocacy Group isn’t only a mechanism to enact change: it also provides a necessary platform to promote self-confidence and value to the families participating. “It is a place where I can make my voice heard to the right people. I like the support I find in this group. We’re on the same page and going through the same things,” HFI client Yoldie explained.

The Rodriguez Family echoed this sentiment: “The Advocacy Group has given me a chance to voice my opinion and share any solutions I think may help people in similar situations to myself.”

Notably, six of the women in the group were selected to participate in a leadership development course in October, sponsored by Homes for Families, where they have learned skills to help them in the business field.

Homes for Families is a partner organization that works with HFI to build powerful relationships between home-less and formerly homeless families, shelter/service providers, concerned citizens, the business community, government and others who share the goal of ending family homelessness.

The Advocacy Group was formed to provide an arena for the HFI families to tell their stories and make an impact on the policies and legislation that affect them. With eight core leaders and new members attending every month, the group rallies together to help in voter registration drives, share their experience with journalists, and visit their state representatives and senators.

The Housing Families Advocacy Group met with Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Paul Brodeur at the State House to share the struggles facing homeless families and the importance of investing in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program.

HFI Advocacy Group Visits the State House

There are several ways you can help support the Advocacy Group’s work:

To get involved or if you’d like to be informed of upcoming legislation concerning homelessness, please contact Laura Rosi at lrosi@housingfamilies.org or 781-322-9119 x 306.

for sending us back-to-school with loveYouYou helped us complete another successful school supply drive! And because of schools, organizations, businesses and individuals like you, over 250 kids started their school year with new backpacks, school supplies, and a smile!

Pictured in photo: Kids helping kids! Students from Shining Stars Nursery school bring donations to Housing Families.

Thank

• Children’s program tutoring/child care —volunteer just one hour/week and help a child succeed in school. No experience is necessary.

• Donate group meals for meetings.

• Donate healthy snacks for tutoring.

• “Adopt” our van—help with gas cards and/or donations for van repairs so that the children can get to our award-winning academic and therapeutic programming.

• Volunteer at events or in our administrative offices.

• Organize a drive—we have seasonal needs such as back-to-school items and toys for the holidays as well as yearly

needs, such as household cleaning items, disposable diapers, linens, and other home goods.

• Paint units before families move in, repair fences, plant in the garden, etc.

• Check our Amazon wish list— http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/—search for Housing Families.

• Tell us what you’d like to do. Let’s find a way to work your talents into a service project.

HOUSING FAMILIES INC j FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER

If you’ve stopped by the GREAT Youth and Families Program lately, you’ll notice that the building is more a-buzz than normal. With the addition of two Common-wealth Corps members, Housing Families’ excitement is understandable. This year, Malden-natives Robert Collins and Paul Collins will serve as academic enrichment assis-tants with the children’s program.

When asked about their passion for joining HFI, both Robert and Paul replied that they felt strongly about giving back to the community. Robert explained that he not only wanted to help those experiencing homeless-ness, but he also wanted to help the community he lives in. Paul echoed these sentiments:

But civic duty isn’t the only reason the Commonwealth Corps members love working at Housing Families: they also share a deep appreciation for HFI’s mission.

“I think what this organization and all of its workers do for families and children is amazing” said Robert. His brother, Paul, with whom he volunteered last year at HFI, shares Robert’s esteem for the organization: “The words that I feel best describe what I always see [at HFI] include passion, dedication, determination, pride, and support.”

Brothers Paul and Robert Collins have joined Housing Families as Commonwealth Corps Volunteers.

I wanted to give back to my community,

to give those who haven’t had it so easy the

strength to know they’re not alone.

Malden Brothers Give Back to Their Community

We need you! Without volunteers we would not be able to run our programs and help over 300 families each year. Take a look at these opportunities to get involved and let us know how you, or a group you belong to, would like to help:

GET Involved!

Our group of supporters from Bond Bros., Inc. on their annual Day of Service.

Staff from Whole Foods Market in Melrose planted an urban garden at our Cross Street location.Continuing our community partnership, customers of Whole Foods Market in Melrose donated over $2,000 to Housing Families throughout the month of August. Thank you!

Please visit our website www.housingfamilies.org for more details about volunteer opportunities and stories from our families, or give us a call at 781-322-9119.

You Are Helping Kids in School, and Throughout LifeEddie is 8 years old. His family has been in and out of stable housing situations since before he was born. Currently in the second grade, he has already attended three different schools.

In each new school, he has had to make new friends while still missing the friends from his last school. He also struggles academically, as the curriculum between his schools varies greatly.

The stress of homelessness is not just carried by parents. Children feel it too, and it affects them deeply.

In our GREAT Youth and Families Program, we help kids like Eddie advance in school. We help them learn to understand and express their feelings. We connect them with other peers who have experienced homelessness, so that they know that they’re not alone.

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OUR MISSION Providing safe, temporary shelter and quality affordable housing to homeless and at-risk families. Offering individualized supportive services to enrich children’s lives, nurture the potential of each family member, and help families maintain permanent housing. Learn more and donate at housingfamilies.org or contact Jim Goebelbecker at 781-322-9119 or email at jgoebelbecker@housingfamilies.org.

Adelaide Breed Bayrd FoundationJay & Christy CashmanDemos, Peter & Carly KouvarisThe Berylson Family TrustThe Doe Family FoundationPaul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation

to our generous supporters

Thank You

HANNAFORD & DUMAS

C O M M E R C I A L P R I N T E R S

354 Cross Street, Malden, MA 02148

These kids have been through

what I’ve been through!

Marlain DeJesus GREAT Youth and Families Program Alumna, HFI Board Member, & 2012 HFI Gala Honoree. Hear Marlain’s story. Visit http://housingfamilies.org/news-events/videos/

housingfamilies.org

Housing Families Inc.

@HousingFamilies

Housing Families Inc.