Who Benefits?
The 39th Annual WALK for the Homeless will benefit:
Benefit programs of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance
Donations Clearinghouse
Youth Against Homelessness
Friendly House
In the Hour of Need Family Shelter (IHN)
These organizations 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.
Friendly House
Friendly House was founded in 1920 “for the education, social and family betterment of residents of the City of Worcester.” When struggling families and individuals across the Greater Worcester area need help quickly, the first place they turn to is Friendly House. We are known for providing a safe, respectful place for people who’ve been marginalized, for families facing difficult times, or for recent immigrants to the country. We are essentially the “front door” in the community, welcoming people to enter and receive same-day social services, in-person help, and referrals to other types of community assistance. In the Hour of Need Family Shelter (IHN)
In the Hour of Need (IHN)
In the Hour of Need (IHN) is one of Worcester County's community safety nets, as a privately funded homeless shelter for families with a child under the age of 18, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality or family make-up, who do not meet the government's Emergency Assistance (EA) guidelines. These are families who would otherwise be left on the street. Working in partnership with the greater Worcester community, it's foundations and organizations, and 27 congregations from the faith community, IHN provides food, and shelter, while also supporting each family to overcome the challenges that led to their experience with homelessness and assistance getting back to self-sufficiency. Since our inception in 1997, we have 90% success rate with our families finding and maintaining long-term, stable housing.
