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Housing Families Inc.

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In Case You Missed It: 2022 in Review

  “With your support, in 2022 we expanded our programs, grew our team, and served more individuals and families than ever before!

  “This year we served 3,295 adults and children! Will you help us serve more members of our community in 2023?”

Housing Families Inc. (HFI) News & Program Updates

  GREAT Youth & Families Program: The GREAT (Growth, Resilience, Empowerment, Acceptance, Trust) Youth & Families Program (GYFP) is our therapeutic counseling and afterschool program for children, youths and parents! This year GYFP has grown their team to support even more families through tutoring, clinical mental health support, food access, enrichment and more. GYFP has furthered their partnerships with Shelter Music Boston and Nature Linc to provide additional skills, knowledge and experiences for children and youths in the program.

  In 2022, GYFP served 52 youths and children and 45 parents/adults. In the coming year, the GYFP team is working to double program participation!

  Individual Shelter: In 2021 HFI opened a greatly needed Individual Shelter in Malden to support adults in the region. This is a critical resource for the community – HFI currently has 390+ individuals on the shelter waitlist.

  The committed and talented Individual Shelter team has served 53 guests since opening and worked with 20 individuals to secure permanent housing. And, as always, Housing Families prioritizes both physical and mental health. Through the assistance of generous donors and carefully trained staff, HFI provides quality food and mental health resources to Individual Shelter clients, including recreational activities, to get guests involved with the community.

  This year HFI made 252+ referrals to support services and provided 23,205 meals to shelter guests thanks to partners at Bread of Life, The Food Drive and local restaurants.

  Homelessness Prevention & Legal Services Program: Office of Housing Stability:  This spring HFI’s Homelessness Prevention and Legal Services Program (HPLSP) partnered with the City of Malden to create the Office of Housing Stability. This allowed HFI to expand the services it offers to Malden residents.

  HPLSP Chelsea Office: HFI partnered with the City of Chelsea’s Department of Housing & Community Development to open HFI’s new HPLSP Chelsea Office, which held its grand opening it July. Chelsea residents seeking legal services and/or financial assistance may contact HFI’s Chelsea Office at probonolegalteam@housingfamilies.org. Staff are multilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin & Haitian Creole.

  In 2022 HPLSP served 2,236 individuals, as well as 1,000 families, and prevented 515 evictions!

  Community Resource Hub: In August HFI’s Community Resource Hub marked its one-year anniversary! The Hub offers nutritious, culturally appropriate food and grocery assistance for clients in HFI’s programs. They also provide child care, hygiene and cleaning supplies, as well as mobile support serving clients directly to their homes.

  Since January of 2022, the Housing Families Community Resource Hub served 96 families, distributing 555 bags of groceries across 322 appointments or deliveries.

  Clinical Services: This year HFI expanded its Clinical Mental Health support to serve individuals and families across HFI’s programs. HFI’s clinical services include individual counseling, a women’s group, and caregiver support services, and HFI plans to further expand these services in 2023.

  Annual Housing Families 5K: On November 12, HFI held its Annual Housing Families 5K, powered by BOND and presented by United Rentals. The Annual Housing Families 5K furthers HFI’s vision of housing equity and well-being for all, raises awareness for National Homelessness Awareness Week and brings together the local community for a fun day. Participants joined us at the race event at River’s Edge Park, as well as virtually, to raise just under $68,000 for HFI programs. “We are so grateful to all the participants and sponsors who made the day a success!”

  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2023 Annual Housing Families 5K, email communications@housingfamilies.org for more details.

  Annual Thanksgiving Drive: For this year’s Thanksgiving Drive, HFI had amazing partners at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, Malden YMCA, Bread of Life and Melrose Together, as well as the support of the Housing Families Young Professionals Advisory Council. With their help, HFI provided over 180 bags of Thanksgiving groceries and meals for families and individuals in HFI’s programs!

  Annual Holiday Drive: “Thank you for generously supporting our Holiday Drive again this year! We are so grateful to our community for collecting hundreds of toys and gift cards so we could make the holidays extra special for the families in our programs!”

  “Thank you for helping us reach over 100% of our year-end fundraising goal! Haven’t made your gift yet? It’s not too late! Every dollar helps us provide more for our community. [https://housingfamilies.org/donate/?mc_cid=8963009a6c&mc_eid=5d55242d5c]

Community Resources

  “We know this time of year can be challenging for many. We have compiled resources that may be helpful if you are seeking support… If you or someone you know needs help or is facing eviction or homelessness, please reach out to us via our Get Help page.”

  Bread of Life – Malden Food Pantry

  Project Bread – Massachusetts Food Resources

  SNAP – Massachusetts Food Stamps

  WIC (Women/Infants/Children) – Massachusetts Nutritional Program

  Malden Warming Center: The MWC is here to serve those experiencing homelessness by providing a warm and safe nighttime shelter during the winter months. The MWC offers comfort, hot drinks and warm meals. Warm clothing and toiletries will be available as much as possible!

  Hours & Location: 529 Eastern Ave., Malden, Mass.; 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., December 1–March 31. For more information, visit maldenwarmingcenter.org or call 781-324-4230.

  “As we reflect on 2022, we are giving thanks for you. Thank you for being part of our community!”

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Shelter Music Boston plays music with a GYFP student.
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Generous donations from Malden Catholic High School
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Melrose Together collects Thanksgiving Bags for the community.
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Runners at the 5K starting line (Photo by Allan Dines)
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Volunteer Alex Wu organizes the Hub.
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New Chelsea office
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Marcus Kuhs, Esq. and Taylor Shutt, Esq. celebrate the holidays with Malden Mayor Gary Christenson.
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Former shelter guest John with his case managers as he moves into his permanent home

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