Happy New Year! In just three days, the new semester will begin. Over break, I have thought a lot about what Lesley Delivers "should" be and also, what it is becoming. Many of my days have been spent in preparation for the organization to be up and running as we once again begin to hear the hustle and bustle of students around the Lesley campus (including Harvard Square).
I recently took a trip to El Salvador to work with Habitat for Humanity. Though I knew the quality of life would be much different from what we are accustomed to in the U.S., I could never have imagined how great that difference would be. The poverty was so immense, yet the general feeling was much more uplifting than what we find here. Material objects are not placed on a pedestal, family is more important than money, and life is lived at a slower, much more relaxed pace. The result? A statistically poorer, yet seemingly altogether happier country and culture.
Which is more important?
Here's to another great semester--with redefined goals and an even stronger desire .
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Wake Up and Smell the (Coffee) Housing Crisis
This article is from the Boston Globe and was in the "Metro" Section on January 6th, 2009.
Homeless families rise 22% in a year
Children hit particularly hard, Hub census says
By Milton J. Valencia
Globe Staff / January 6, 2009
The number of homeless families living in Boston has jumped for the fourth straight year, making children without a home the fastest-growing group, according to results from the mayor's annual census.
The Homeless Census showed that the number of families living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or even in motels jumped 22 percent in the past year, from 3,175 in 2007 to 3,870 in December. The number of children without a home soared 24 percent in 2008, from 1,850 to 2,288.
As past programs have targeted the elderly and people with drug addictions and mental illnesses, city officials said a new, concerted effort is needed to assist homeless families as their numbers climb during tough economic times.
"For families, it's really about insufficient income to afford a place to live," said Jim Greene, director of the city's Emergency Shelter Commission. "Family homelessness is caused by the divide between people's incomes and housing costs, and when the gap is too great the problem gets worse."
The Homeless Census, required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, is based on a count of the overall number of people living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, hospitals and medical facilities, hotels and motels, and on the streets on one given night.
On Dec. 15, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and about 350 volunteers including city and state officials went into Boston's neighborhoods, reaching out to people living in alleys and under bridges and referring them to shelters and programs.
City officials counted an overall total of 7,681 homeless people that night - which included individuals and family members - up from 6,930 last year, an 11 percent jump.
The census, however, also showed that while the number of families without homes has climbed, the count of homeless individuals only - those considered unaccompanied by anyone - has held steady over the last several years, a tribute to new strategies in reaching out to people living on the streets.
According to the census, the city counted 3,811 homeless individuals, compared with 3,705 last year, a 3 percent increase.
A positive sign of the survey was that the number of elderly people living on the street dropped from a high of 77 in 2004 to fewer than 30 last month.
"We have made some progress, but more needs to be done," Menino said in a statement, adding, "this census reflects the growing challenge that low-income families, especially young mothers, are facing during tough economic times."
Joe Finn, executive director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, said the stable number of homeless individuals is a credit to Menino's strategy to find people homes before treatment is discussed.
Only then, he said, can officials work with someone to address the root problems that caused them to be homeless - mental illness, substance abuse, or economic woes.
Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn, a Boston homeless shelter, said the increase in the number of families without homes is an ugly sign of the touch economic times.
"I think it's part of a trend across the country, where a combination of so many things going on with the economy are really hitting families in every way," she said.
Greene said that the homeless families often include a single parent who lost a job. In other cases, parents have jobs but still can't afford housing. Meantime, funding for housing vouchers has plunged, he said.
"We need more than just what the city can do," Greene said. "We need the state and federal government to look at the housing crisis for families. We need every level of government and the private and nonprofit sector aligning their resources to address this housing crisis."
Homeless families rise 22% in a year
Children hit particularly hard, Hub census says
By Milton J. Valencia
Globe Staff / January 6, 2009
The number of homeless families living in Boston has jumped for the fourth straight year, making children without a home the fastest-growing group, according to results from the mayor's annual census.
The Homeless Census showed that the number of families living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or even in motels jumped 22 percent in the past year, from 3,175 in 2007 to 3,870 in December. The number of children without a home soared 24 percent in 2008, from 1,850 to 2,288.
As past programs have targeted the elderly and people with drug addictions and mental illnesses, city officials said a new, concerted effort is needed to assist homeless families as their numbers climb during tough economic times.
"For families, it's really about insufficient income to afford a place to live," said Jim Greene, director of the city's Emergency Shelter Commission. "Family homelessness is caused by the divide between people's incomes and housing costs, and when the gap is too great the problem gets worse."
The Homeless Census, required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, is based on a count of the overall number of people living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, hospitals and medical facilities, hotels and motels, and on the streets on one given night.
On Dec. 15, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and about 350 volunteers including city and state officials went into Boston's neighborhoods, reaching out to people living in alleys and under bridges and referring them to shelters and programs.
City officials counted an overall total of 7,681 homeless people that night - which included individuals and family members - up from 6,930 last year, an 11 percent jump.
The census, however, also showed that while the number of families without homes has climbed, the count of homeless individuals only - those considered unaccompanied by anyone - has held steady over the last several years, a tribute to new strategies in reaching out to people living on the streets.
According to the census, the city counted 3,811 homeless individuals, compared with 3,705 last year, a 3 percent increase.
A positive sign of the survey was that the number of elderly people living on the street dropped from a high of 77 in 2004 to fewer than 30 last month.
"We have made some progress, but more needs to be done," Menino said in a statement, adding, "this census reflects the growing challenge that low-income families, especially young mothers, are facing during tough economic times."
Joe Finn, executive director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, said the stable number of homeless individuals is a credit to Menino's strategy to find people homes before treatment is discussed.
Only then, he said, can officials work with someone to address the root problems that caused them to be homeless - mental illness, substance abuse, or economic woes.
Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn, a Boston homeless shelter, said the increase in the number of families without homes is an ugly sign of the touch economic times.
"I think it's part of a trend across the country, where a combination of so many things going on with the economy are really hitting families in every way," she said.
Greene said that the homeless families often include a single parent who lost a job. In other cases, parents have jobs but still can't afford housing. Meantime, funding for housing vouchers has plunged, he said.
"We need more than just what the city can do," Greene said. "We need the state and federal government to look at the housing crisis for families. We need every level of government and the private and nonprofit sector aligning their resources to address this housing crisis."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
An Article
Dec 4, 2008
LU SOFTBALL AND LESLEY DELIVERS ORGANIZE COAT DRIVE
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Lesley University softball team teamed up with Lesley Delivers to organize the 1st ever Coat and Winter Accessory Drive on campus. The drive was held for two weeks in November and succeeded in collecting over 125 items that were delivered to the Margaret Fuller House in Central Square.
After all the collecting and sorting was completed, both groups collected over 25 women's dress coats, 15 men's coats, 61 accessories (including scarves, gloves, mittens, hats), 15 kid's items, four casual sweaters/sweatshirts, four pairs of shoes, and two blankets.
"As a team, we were thrilled to partner with Lesley Delivers to run our first coat drive," commented Head Coach Jen Benway. "As part of Lesley's mission to "Wake Up the World," we wanted to do our part to give back to the community. With winter right around the corner, it made sense to gather coats and accessories to help those in need."
Several of the collectors were able to see the delivery through to the Margaret Fuller House which is a local food pantry that also has an annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive around the holidays. Many people in need were given turkeys, beans, vegetables, and other ingredients to prepare for family and friends on Thanksgiving. Along with the food that was distributed, people also received additional warm clothing that they were not expecting.
"It was remarkable to see the support from the Lesley community. We received more coats than we ever expected and because of the success that we had we hope to continue the coat drive each winter. Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and students from Lesley and AIB for their support!"
Lesley Delivers is a student-run organization dedicated to supporting the homeless individuals around Lesley University and the Cambridge community. Look for Lesley Delivers to provide opportunities to serve at local shelters such as Rosie's Place and conduct local sandwich runs before school breaks for the holiday break.
To learn more about the Lesley University softball team, please visit their website and to learn more about Lesley Delivers, please visit their blog.
To learn more about the Lesley University softball team, please visit their website.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Filet Mignon
Yesterday was a ground-breaking day for Lesley Delivers. An article was posted on the Lesley University Athletics website detailing our work on the Winter Coat and Accessory Drive. Check it out at: www.lesley.edu/athletics! In addition, I received 7 emails from Lesley staff and faculty wanting to contribute to the cause. In fact, the Student Administrative Offices at Lesley are even hosting a raffle which will raise money for a Star Market gift card to fund us next semester. I was so touched by the emails and excited that word is getting out. It is a real reminder that we are making a difference!
On our sandwich run last night, we only ran into 5 or 6 individuals. This could be a positive thing-- maybe people are finding shelter in this chilly weather. I can't help but wonder, however, if maybe it has been too long since we were last out. Maybe a 2-week break was just enough time for people to lose hope that there are people out there who are trying to help. I hope this is not the case. We will hopefully be out one more time during finals week before our long winter break at home. I am hoping to work with some staff, faculty, and administrators during the January break to do a few sandwich runs since students will not be around.
If you are reading this and are interested in helping out during the January break, please let me know!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Turkey
"It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart"- Anonymous
Happy Thanksgiving! Please remember what you have today-whether it's food, family, health, or a combination of all three, recognize its importance. Though we have not embarked on a run in the last week and a half, Lesley Delivers has participated in another amazing event: A Winter Coat and Winter Accessory Drive. Along with the Lesley Softball Team, we collected and sorted over 25 Women's Dress Coats, 15 Men's Coats, 61 Accessories (including scarves, gloves, mittens, hats), 4 casual Sweaters/Sweatshirts, 15 Kid's Items, 2 Blankets, and 4 Pairs of Shoes. This is over 125 items that went to people in need. Not only did we collect and sort these items, but a few of us were even able to see the delivery of these items to the Margaret Fuller House in Central Square. This is a great food pantry that has a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive around the holidays. Many people in need were given frozen turkeys, beans, vegetables, and other ingredients to prepare for family and friends on Thanksgiving. In addition, because of our hard work, they were able to leave home with some extra warm apparel that they were not expecting. Amazing! Thanks to Jen Benway, the Softball Team at Lesley, and everyone else who helped in the execution of this awesome idea. Remember what you have to be thankful for today...everyone has something.
In the next two months, look out for:
-An Uno's "DoughRaiser" Fundraiser for Lesley Delivers
-Opportunities to serve at local shelters, such as Rosie's Place
-Several sandwich runs before we depart for Holiday Break
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Meatloaf
Today we got down to the real meat and potatoes of our work. Myself, combined with the efforts of Carol (VP of Enrollment at Lesley), Cara (a Simmons Social Work student), and representatives from The Outdoor Church (A wonderful organization in Harvard Square) spent 5 hours, from 11 am to 4 pm participating in a church service as well as handing out food, blankets, and resources to those in need in Harvard and Central Square. It was a day filled with joy and sorrow as we met new people, heard new stories, and discovered many new things.
It made me realize that Lesley Delivers is not going to be perfect this year or the next. In fact, the Outdoor Church has been running for 5 years and according to the leaders we worked with today there are still many problems to be worked out.
Can we ever really do enough? While we accepted requests about what we could bring next week as far as food or clothing, we can't change the fact that these people will still have no warm "home" to go back to after a long day. But what is a home, really? During the church service today, we explored this idea. A home does not have to be a structure with a door, windows, and a bathroom. A home, to many, isj ust a place to sit. Just any place on Earth, really.
The service was beautiful. The altar was created out of a rolling cart and a sheet. A Reverend led the service, a man who comes every week read the prayer, and we all read hymns and phrases together in the freezing cold. Everyone was okay with being cold, happy to be together, and ecstatic to be alive.
It was a few hours that I know Carol, Cara, and I will never forget.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Fast Food Fact
In just a month, we have embarked on seven sandwich runs to Harvard Square where we have given food and other supplies to those in need. We are working diligently to fundraise and budget because as we are meeting these individuals we see more and more that needs to be changed right in our own backyard. Currently, over 43 students have taken part in a sandwich run and these numbers are continuing to grow each and every week. We have had representatives from Athletics, The Office of Community Service, SGA, Residence Life, and every undergraduate class of our University.
We are beginning to deliver more than just food...we are delivering promise.
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