The Many Faces of Homelessness:

We Can All Help

Forum Exhibitors
Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness
The Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness was formed in response to the worsening low income housing and
homelessness crisis in Massachusetts and is committed to eliminating the root causes and adverse consequences of
family homelessness through public education and advocacy. The Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness
(ANEFH) concentrates its advocacy efforts on key family homelessness prevention programs funded through the state
budget. For more information, see www.endfamilyhomeless.net or contact
N. Carl Miller, Coordinator, at normancmiller@comcast.net, or 978-369-3755; www.endfamilyhomelessness.net

Belmont Housing Trust

The Belmont Housing Trust was enacted by the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives and is supervised
by the Board of Selectmen. Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1999 details the establishment of this nonprofit corporation.
The Trust's duties are to investigate and implement alternatives for the provision of and providing affordable housing for
persons of low, moderate and middle income, and others in the Town of Belmont whose needs may be identified from
time to time. Questions regarding the Housing Trust can be directed to the Office of Community Development at 617-9932666.

Bristol Lodge Shelters

Both the men's and women's shelters provide emergency shelter to a combined total of fifty seven homeless area
residents each night. Staff at each location is trained to provide a variety of specialized and essential services. Support
staff is trained to provide all guests with a safe and supportive environment. Case managers help guests locate
permanent housing, provide supportive counseling, refer guests to other agencies as needed, organize in-house AA
meetings, offer employment counseling groups, and assist clients with entitlement benefits such as SSI or SSDI. Each
and every guest has an individualized goal plan. Program Director A Poirier. apoirier@mhsainc.org
Men's Shelter (staffed 24/7)
27 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA. 02451
781-893-0108
Fax: 781-647-3249

Women's Shelter (staffed evenings only)

205 Bacon Street
Waltham, MA 02452
781-894-1225
(evenings only)

Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries

Our Mission is to mobilize congregations and communities across economic, religious, racial, and ethnic boundaries so
that, in partnership, we can work more effectively for a just and peaceful society and for spiritual growth and interfaith
understanding.
474 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458
Telephone: 617-244-3650
Rodney Petersen, Executive Director rlp@coopmet.org

Episcopal City Mission

Episcopal City Mission is a faith-based ministry which promotes social and economic justice working through
congregations, community based organizations and people within the Diocese of Massachusetts, with special emphasis
on the urban poor and oppressed. To learn more visit: www.episcopalcitymission.org or follow us at:
www.facebook.com/episcopalcitymission or contact Katie Campbell Simons, kcsimons@diomass.org

Homes for Families

Homes for Families is a grassroots social change organization working to end family homelessness in Massachusetts. We
are a collaboration of families that have experienced homelessness, shelter and service providers and advocates. Our
guiding principles are partnership and collaboration, a parent perspective and a holistic approach. Programs include
policy advocacy, community organizing, program development and leadership development.
For more information about Homes for Families and family homelessness, please visit our website
at www.homesforfamilies.org or contact us at 617-227-4188 or lhayes@homesforfamilies.org. Homes for Families,
Diane Sullivan, dsullivan@homesforfamilies.org, 617-227-4188

Horizons for Homeless Children

Horizons for Homeless Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young homeless children
and their families by ensuring that they are prepared for school success. We provide high- quality early education,
opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. We also advocate on behalf of young children, train
educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless children.
Today, we serve more than 3,000 young homeless children each week in Massachusetts through our three early
education centers and our 150 shelter-based Playspace Programs. We are the only comprehensive organization in
Massachusetts focused exclusively on the needs of young homeless children and their families and are recognized as a
national leader in the education of homeless children. Contact: Emily Levine, Director of Mass. Policy and Advocacy
617-553-5431, elevine@horizonschildren.org

Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts

HGRM (Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts, Inc.) is a local, volunteer driven 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates
hope and gives a fresh start to thousands of families a year. HGRM collects gently used furniture and household goods
and redistributes them free of charge to people in need. Every day, HGRM welcomes up to twelve families as they
emerge from homelessness or housing insecurity. A sudden turn of fate can leave families with little or nothing, but
HGRM stands ready year-round to provide household basics. HGRM accepts referrals from hundreds of social service
and community agencies working closely with people in crisis or transition. HGRM was built on the philosophy of
helping one person or family at a time furnish a home and re-start their lives, and since 2004 has handled 30,000 client
visits. Sharon Martens, www.hgrm.org, 978-635-1710 Ext. 7, sharon@hgrm.org

Mary's House
This family shelter provides temporary housing in central Waltham for up to eight homeless families. During this time,
families work on issues relevant to homelessness and securing permanent housing with the help of our staff and housing
advocates. All residents are involved with the day to day activities in the shelter and the family life program. The family
life program consists of helping families with such issues as parenting, nutrition, budgeting, substance abuse, vocational
and educational goals. Referrals to other social services, legal and mental health programs are provided as needed.
School age children attend local schools. When residents leave for permanent housing, we offer a one year follow-up
support program to assist them with the transition to independent living. Shelter staff is on site twenty-four hours a day.
Program Director: Victoria Lapon. maryshouse@mhsainc.org
62 Church Street, Waltham, MA. 02452
Telephone: 781-647-9957 Fax: 781-647-9358

Mass Coalition for the Homeless

The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is a non-profit founded in 1981 whose mission is to ensure that
everyone in Massachusetts has a safe and permanent place to call home. The Coalition works to address the causes of
homelessness through Direct Service: A Bed for Every Child Initiative, Furniture Bank, and Room to Breathe;
Homelessness Prevention: Highland Kids Initiative, Homelink (formerly First Stop Initiative), and through early
intervention programs; Education/training on federal and state assistance programs, and how to become an effective
advocate; Advocacy on public policy priorities that: prevent homelessness; protect the safety nets (emergency shelter,
cash assistance programs) for people experiencing poverty and homelessness; create more affordable housing for lowincome households; and meet the needs of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. Please visit our website
at www.mahomeless.org. For more information, please contact Sister Linda Bessom SND, Senior Community
Organizer/Outreach Coordinator, at linda@mahomeless.org or 781-595-7570 x18

Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership

Our mission is to ensure that the region's low- and moderate-income individuals and families have choice and mobility in
finding and retaining decent, affordable housing. All our programs are designed to encourage housing stability, increase
economic self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality of the lives of those we serve. To achieve our mission, we work
collaboratively with a broad array of service providers and neighborhood-based organizations. The state's largest regional
provider of rental housing voucher assistance, we serve homeless, elderly, disabled, and low- and moderate-income
individuals and families. Please visit our website at www.mbhp.org.
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111-2503
617- 859-0400
800-272-0990 (MA only)

Metro West Collaborate Development

Metro West CD recognizes that our community is composed of homeowners, tenants, landlords and large and small
residential developers. They all play an important role in maintaining quality homes, streets and neighborhoods. Metro
West CD seeks to support them all. Jennifer Van Campen, Executive Director. 617-923-3505 ext 4
79-B Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458
Phone: 617-923-3505; Fax: 617-923-8241

Veterans' Services Agent

The Massachusetts legislature created the Office of Veterans Services to advocate on behalf of all veterans for services
and benefits and consultation about available services. Each city and town has a designated Veterans Agent who work
with individuals and their families.
Watertown
Mark Comeiro
Administration Bldg. 149 Main St.
Watertown, MA 02472
617-92-72-6116
mcomeiro@watertown-ma.gov

Waltham
Michael Russo
119 School St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781-314-3416
mrusso@city.waltham.ma.us
Assistant: Darlene Wansiewicz
781-314-3417

Belmont
Robert Upton
19 Moore St.
Belmont, MA 02478
617-993-2727
rupton@belmont-ma.gov

Waltham Area Homeless Coalition

The Waltham Area Homeless Coalition is a partnership consisting of Homeless Advocacy Agencies who meet monthly to
share information on homeless individuals and the issues they are encountering. The coalition consists of numerous
agencies, including Waltham and Watertown Police Departments, the Probation Dept. of Waltham District Court,
Middlesex Human Services Agency, Advocates Inc., Salvation Army, Spectrum Health Care, Chaplains on the Way, and
Waltham Day Center, among others.
Gerry Kaufman
781-314-3151
gkaufman@police.waltham.ma.us

Y2Y Harvard Square

A student-run overnight shelter, Y2Y Harvard Square employs a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming
environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. The new shelter, specifically for youth, will provide 20 new
beds, doubling the number available in the greater Boston area. Y2Y guests will have opportunities to collaborate with
service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of
homelessness and to develop skills for long-term success. Y2Y provides opportunities for both guests and volunteers to
become the next generations leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness. Y2Y is located at the
First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist
3 Church Street, Cambridge, MA
617-462-1848
Website: y2yharvardsquare.org
Email: Sam Greenberg sam@y2yharvardsquare.org