THE NORTH STARMASSACHUSETTS HOUSING & SHELTER ALLIANCE

Volume 13, Issue 1 Winter 2017Solutions Start Here

MHSA Honors Leaders in Ending Homelessness at 2016 Annual MeetingMHSA honored Secretary Marylou Sudders, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Timothy Driscoll of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) at the 2016 MHSA Annual Meeting on December 14 at the Boston College Club in Boston. The event included a special announcement by Bernadette Di Re, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts, who presented a $1.7 million partnership grant from United Health Foundation for the new Hospital to Housing initiative. Former New England Patriot Jerod Mayo, Senior Vice President, Business Development of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum business, participated in the presentation of the Ed O’Neil Award. The event also included the election of Annette Hill Green of the Law Offices of Donald E. Green, P.C., and Benjamin Josephson of O’Neill and Associates to the MHSA Board of Directors.

MHSA awarded the Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Servant Award to Secretary Marylou Sudders for her leadership in the Commonwealth’s efforts to move toward Medicaid sustainability; her commitment to expanding the Community Support Program for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness (CSPECH) as a critical benefit for supporting housing for people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness; and her dedication to housing throughout her career. Canon Kelley’s

daughter, Jennifer Reed of Newton Public Schools, participated in the presentation; and Steven Kadish, Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the Governor, accepted the award on Secretary Sudders’ behalf. MHSA, joined by United Health Foundation, made a formal presentation of the award to Secretary Sudders in late December.

MHSA then awarded the fifth annual Ed O’Neil Award for an exceptional direct care worker to Timothy Driscoll, Program Supervisor of the Young Adult Residential Case Management Program at SMOC. Jerod Mayo joined Rosalie O’Neil, wife of the late Ed O’Neil, and Joe Fletcher and Sarah Goncalves from SMOC for the presentation of the award.

The event concluded with a special announcement by Bernadette Di Re, who presented MHSA with a $1.7 million partnership grant from United Health Foundation for a new initiative, Hospital to Housing (H to H).

MHSA extends our thanks to this year’s honorees, sponsors and attendees; United Health Foundation and Jerod Mayo; Beacon Health Options/Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (Beacon/MBHP) and the agencies involved with Hospital to Housing; the MHSA Board of Directors and Advisory Council; MHSA member agencies; and our community partners.

Special thanks to this year’s Lead Sponsors: Beacon/MBHP, Heading Home, Justice Resource Institute, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

Pamela Driscoll; Steven Kadish, Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the Governor; Timothy Driscoll of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC); family of Ed O’Neil; Jennifer Reed, daughter of Canon Brian S. Kelley; and former New England Patriot Jerod Mayo, Optum Senior Vice President, Business Development. Photo credit: David Fox Photographer.

Bernadette Di Re joins Jerod Mayo with two “welcome home” baskets for new Hospital to Housing tenants. Photo credit: David Fox Photographer.

MHSA is partnering with Beacon/MBHP on the new Hospital to Housing (H to H) initiative, which is aimed at identifying and providing housing to adults experiencing homelessness who have serious mental illness and a history of frequent behavioral health hospitalizations. H to H is unique in that it will build relationships between Beacon/MBHP and permanent supportive housing providers through the introduction of five community health workers, who will work with the Boston Public Health Commission in Greater Boston, ServiceNet in Western Massachusetts and SMOC in Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. The program’s goals include reducing hospitalizations and improving the health of participants.

Spotlight on Hospital to Housing

Bernadette Di Re of UnitedHealthCare Community Plan of Massachusetts; Linn Torto of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness; and MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn present Secretary Marylou Sudders (second to right) with the “Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Servant Award.” Photo credit: Lucyus Fevrier / Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

I can sum up my philosophy of life very simply: we only have two choices, to hope or to despair. I must admit that

lately my internal “hope meter” has been erratic. It took

a hit recently when I read in my morning newspaper about an elder homeless man being battered by a security guard, kicking him out of North Station. It verged on despair because I have witnessed the dehumanization of homeless individuals for the last 30 years. Regardless of the fears that may exist around homelessness, the sad truth is that homeless individuals are far more often the victims of violence than the perpetrators of it. Of course, the greatest violence of all is the lack of safe, affordable housing for the poorest and most vulnerable— those who are homeless.

Depressed as my hope might have been that day, later in the

afternoon it soared when I went to visit The Haven Project, a new MHSA member agency in Lynn, Massachusetts. The Haven Project is a drop-in center for homeless transitional age youth. They are a beacon of hope for young people who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness. They work closely with the local housing and shelter provider, MHSA member agency Lynn Shelter Association, to provide resources and support for the unique needs of this emerging homeless population.

What gives me hope is the innovation on display there: partnering with a coffee franchise to open a small café, Land of a Thousand Hills - Lynn. Here, young people receive the opportunity to build their skills and resumes for improving their circumstances.

It is clear that The Haven Project wants to do more than just provide emergency services—they want to drive solutions forward to the problems these young people

face.MHSA exists to support such

efforts and to bring these best practices to scale. We believe that programs serving homeless individuals should demonstrate through their outcomes how they provide a return on investment to those who support them. Massachusetts invests millions of dollars annually to serve homeless individuals, and MHSA wants to ensure the best and most effective use of these resources. We can be doing so much better. Your support of this organization shows that you, too, believe in our mission of reducing the Commonwealth’s reliance on emergency resources and instead seeking solutions to end homelessness once and for all.

Your support is a great reason to have hope. Do not despair: we can and will make the difference we seek—to truly end homelessness. Thank you for your support, and I wish you a 2017 filled with hope for all.

ABOUT MHSAMHSA is a nonprofit public policy

advocacy alliance with the mission to end homelessness in Massachusetts

through permanent housing solutions.

MHSA forms strategic partnerships with government, private philanthropy, business leaders, and service providers

to ensure that homelessness does not become a permanent part of the social

landscape.

JOE FINNPresident & Executive Director

KAYE WILDVice President

THOMAS YOTTSDirector of Finance &

Administration

TOM BRIGHAMDirector of Massachusetts Alliance

for Supportive Housing

CAITLIN BURBIDGEProgram Coordinator

TESS CARENBAUERCommunications Associate

CAITLIN GOLDENDirector of Public Relations &

Community Engagement

KENDRA HANLONDirector of Development

LISA RENEE HOLDERBY-FOXDirector of Hospital to Housing

ALEX KONTRASProgram Manager

DANIEL LACHARStaff Accountant

EDWIN MELÉNDEZ

Veteran In-Reach Peer Specialist

CARROLEE MOOREDevelopment Associate

TARA MUSHIPay for Success Coordinator

SINGUMBE MUYEBA, PhDResearch & Evaluation Specialist

FATIMA OMEROffice Manager

MONICA J. REGUEIROProgram Coordinator

>Message from the Executive Director

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President & Executive Director

Joe Finn

Staying Hopeful While Ending Homelessness

The 2016 MHSA Annual Report is now available online! If you would like to request

a hard copy of the report, please contact

Tess Carenbauer at 617- 367-6447 ext. 17 or tcarenbauer@mhsa.net.

MHSA thanks Board member Bill Beckeman and his team at Linear Retail Properties, LLC for

designing the new MHSA logo!

We bid farewell to Allison Lex, MHSA’s Director of Health & Housing Initiatives. We are grateful

for Allison’s many contributions, and we wish her all of the best in her new endeavors!

MHSA is thrilled to welcome the addition of Lisa Renee Holderby-Fox, the new Director

of Hospital to Housing. Lisa Renee will oversee the Hospital to Housing initiative and serve as an integral part of MHSA’s efforts to better utilize

community health workers in making permanent supportive housing a reality.

Staff TransitionsThanks to your support, MHSA has helped

thousands of homeless individuals across the Commonwealth move into their own homes.

With your help, MHSA will continue to work with our members as well as public and private sector partners to create innovative solutions to end

homelessness.

But we can’t do it without your continued support!

Please use the enclosed envelope to send a tax-deductible donation to MHSA today.

Thank you!

Investing in Solutions

The oldest of three children, Mike describes his childhood as a happy one in a tightknit community in South Boston. But when his family moved to Quincy, 10-year-old Mike struggled to fit in and make new friends. He turned to food as a way to cope with his depression and low self-esteem.

After graduating high school, Mike worked as a server at a hotel restaurant in downtown Boston. Soon after, he began to replace his food addiction with an addiction to alcohol. It wasn’t before long that he wasn’t able to keep up with rent. In 2003, Mike was evicted from his apartment and went to the shelter at MHSA member agency Father Bill’s & MainSpring.

Because Mike had to spend his days outside of the shelter, he struggled to find ways to stay productive and sober, leading him to relapse multiple times. Although he worked and attended several recovery programs, Mike’s addiction and health issues, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and type 2 diabetes, made it difficult for him to find the motivation to move forward. “My addiction has gotten in the way of a lot of things in my life,” Mike

explained. Eventually, with the support of a therapist and

a treatment program that helps adults struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, Mike’s health began to improve and he was able to work on his sobriety.

After years in and out of the shelter system, Father Bill’s & MainSpring offered Mike housing in 2015 through MHSA’s Pay for Success (PFS) initiative, a permanent supportive housing program for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

Mike describes the amazing feeling he had

receiving the keys to his new home. “Once I close my door, it’s like my own little sanctuary,” Mike said. He cherishes his newfound freedom and privacy.

In addition to regular therapy sessions, Mike continues to attend his treatment program several days a week to focus on maintaining his sobriety. Having housing has helped him to feel better about himself and become more self-sufficient.

“It’s definitely night and day in terms of having your own place,” Mike said.

Today, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and watching baseball and football games. He plans to re-enter the workforce in the future, but right now, Mike is prioritizing his physical and mental health.

Mike’s goals for the future are to maintain his sobriety, be there for his family, and give back to the community in response to all of the support he has received through the Pay for Success initiative.

Reflecting on how his life has improved since entering his own home, Mike exclaimed, “What a difference 20 months makes!”

Over the last year, the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance Young Professionals Group (MHSA YPG) has been focused on capacity building. To advance and expand the work of the group, a leadership team was formed to oversee MHSA YPG events, member relations and communications.

In addition to assembling a new leadership team, MHSA YPG also held several successful events.

This past March, the group presented a night of networking at J.J. Foley’s Bar & Grille in Downtown Boston, which raised funds and collected household items for formerly homeless individuals in MHSA’s permanent housing programs.

In July, MHSA YPG held “Paint for

a Purpose,” an evening of painting and networking at The Paint Bar on Newbury Street in Boston. Young professionals from the Greater Boston area connected while painting their interpretations of a “Beacon Hill doorway.” As a part of the event, attendees were given the option to donate their paintings to newly-housed MHSA tenants. A majority of young professionals in attendance opted to do so, adding special “welcome home” notes on the back of their canvases.

On Thursday, October 20, 2016, MHSA YPG held its inaugural “Homecoming: Let’s Bring Our Neighbors Home” fundraising event in support of MHSA’s mission to end homelessness in the Commonwealth. Young professionals from the Greater Boston area

networked with each other at Hennessy’s of Boston while enjoying food, drinks, live music from Luddy Mussy, and vying for one of the 16 raffle prizes.

MHSA extends our gratitude to the Tailgate Sponsors: AAFCPAs, Chobee Hoy Associates, and Santander Bank, N.A. We are grateful for the many vendors and friends who donated their talents and raffle prizes and to those who attended the event.

MHSA YPG is dedicated to creating a dynamic environment that fosters connections between young professionals as they engage in ending homelessness. Find more information online today at www.facebook.com/MHSAYPG, or contact Carrolee Moore at cmoore@mhsa.net.

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MHSA YPG Expands; Adds Leadership Team and Signature Event

Mike’s Story: “What a Difference 20 Months Makes!”

Mike, a tenant in MHSA’s Pay for Success program.

YPG participants pose with their paintings from “Paint for a Purpose.”

Young professionals attend “Homecoming: Let’s Bring Our Neighbors Home.”

YPG participants network at J.J .Foley’s Bar & Grille.

MHSA Honors Leaders in Ending Homelessness at 2016 Annual Meeting...............

Spotlight on Hospital to Housing Initiative...........................................................................................

Message from the Executive Director: Staying Hopeful While Ending Homelessness...............

Mike’s Story: “What a Difference 20 Months Makes!”............................................................

MHSA YPG Expands; Adds Leadership Team and Signature Event......................................

CONNECTWITH MHSA!

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/MAHousingandShelterAlliance

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/MHSA_Revolution

Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance | PO Box 8638, Boston, MA 02114 | 617-367-6447 | www.mhsa.net

Inside this edition...

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Look inside to learn about MHSA’s new logo!