As the world leader in volunteerism we feel a responsibility to unite our broader community, and to use this moment to become stronger.
See below to participate in our Impact Sector survey, access our COVID-19 Resource Hub, and explore our growing directory of COVID-19-specific and virtual volunteering opportunities.
Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a public health emergency like nothing we’ve ever seen, and our neighbors without secure housing are the most at risk. They are worried about their health and frightened about their future. Just imagine if you didn’t have a safe home right now.
Now more than ever it is critical we help extremely vulnerable people move out of crowded shelters and unsafe outdoor spaces, into safe, dignified housing. In fact, Friends of Boston's Homeless has been helping nearly 30 people each month move into a stable home of their own, since this public health emergency began. They all need a little help getting set up in their new apartments.
You can help people who are struggling on our streets and in crowded shelters feel that same happiness and sense of security as they move into their new place and live healthy, hopeful futures in our community by providing some of the essential items we all need for our new place.
By assembling and donating Housewarming Baskets, you'll be an important part of welcoming people into their new homes where they'll finally find the stability and serenity we all need.
It’s as simple as assembling new (not used) items like cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, a set of sheets or towels, in a basket to be given as a housewarming gift to someone about to move into a place of their own- many for the first time in their lives.
And please include a welcome note, they mean a lot to the people who receive them.
You can also make this a fun and meaningful Zoom by getting together with your co-workers, colleagues, friends and/or family and each person makes their own basket. You can create as many baskets as you'd like!
When you're done, it is safe and easy to drop off at the Southampton Shelter right in the South End or you can ship them. Just contact mariannbucina@fobh.org for details and someone can also help you unload your car when your arrive if you need it.
We expect to help at least 400 more people move beyond homelessness into homes of their own this year and they'll all need a little help getting started. The baskets you make will be a big part of this! No matter what you choose, your gifts will transform someone's new apartment into a warm, welcoming home.
To get started, just download this flyer and share with everyone you'd like to participate: http://ow.ly/1Pnm307a4dB
Friends of Boston's Homeless develops and funds innovative, solution-oriented programs to help homeless men, women, and their children move beyond shelter to lead independent lives. In addition, through advocacy and education, Friends seeks to increase the public's awareness and understanding of the homeless. Friends serves to bridge the gap between public sector funding and the current needs of the homeless by providing a vehicle for individuals, businesses, foundations and charitable organizations to be a part of the solution to homelessness. Programs include basic shelter (bed, shower, food), comprehensive supportive services (health and mental health care, case management, substance abuse treatment and counseling), job training and employment services, adult education and literacy, life skills development, and transitional and permanent affordable housing. Shelters associated are Long Island Shelter (located in Boston Harbor) and Woods Mullen Shelter in the South End.
Description
Helping the Homeless Move Beyond Shelter
One of the most effective solutions to homelessness is to help homeless individuals gain independence through education, employment, life skills development, and permanent housing. However, the solution is not as simple as building houses, schools and businesses. Nor is simply providing a bed, shower and a hot meal for the night sufficient for a permanent move beyond homelessness.
Many of the homeless have long histories in the Boston community: they have cycled for years between foster homes, shelters, marginal housing and low-income neighborhoods. Many have also experienced abusive family lives and relationships, and as a result often lack role models. Most have never in their lives known opportunity or stability. All have known repeated failure.
The homeless also often have inadequate education and lack the basic job skills, work experience, social supports and life and coping skills necessary to succeed independently. Lasting success for the homeless is difficult without first receiving assistance in addressing these issues.
Friends addresses these issues with each and every individual we serve, provding them the support and opprtunities to move beyond homelessness
