Who Benefits?
The 40th Annual WALK for the Homeless will benefit:
Benefit programs of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance
Donations Clearinghouse
Youth Against Homelessness
These programs assist thousands of Worcester County residents each year as they struggle with housing and hunger issues. Solving family homelessness requires a collective approach across a broad range of community partners.
CMHA Homeless Prevention Services, Housing Counseling program, Eviction Prevention
The most in-demand program works to prevent homelessness and promote safe, stable, and affordable housing. Services include counseling, eviction and prevention, education, and mediation regarding landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. Last year, over 12,788 households, an increase of 47% over the previous year due to the pandemic, were helped by CMHA’s Homeless Eviction Prevention services. We provide a range of services from housing counseling, paying down rental and utility arrearages, education opportunities, transportation, and providing much-needed furniture. Homelessness Prevention Services prevented 1200 families from becoming homeless in 2023.
The Donations Clearinghouse (DCH)
DCH collects clean, gently used furniture and household goods from residents of Worcester County and offers them, free of charge, to families and individuals in need. This program is provided with compassion and respect to those experiencing a traumatic time in their life. A single parent with children, an elder on a fixed income, someone fleeing domestic violence, or a family who just cannot afford basic household items can all benefit from the extraordinary services provided by the DCH. Last year, we received more than 1100 items, which were collected from 263 generous donors. Because of them, the DCH helped 221 households, referred by more than 75 area agencies, make their house a home.
Youth Against Homelessness (YAH)
YAH is a dynamic youth organization that empowers young people to become actively engaged in their community by addressing issues of homelessness, hunger, and community social justice. YAH’s high school students focus on peer-to-peer education and community service. This fall we will host our 11th Annual Visions of Change Youth Summit, which is a half-day of service learning. Education is the foundation of the Visions of Change Youth Summit. The summit was created to support our future leaders and to help cultivate an atmosphere of engaged learning and positive change. Throughout the school year, schools hosted coat, food, and diaper drives; these donations were distributed to area shelters.
