MA Coalition for the Homeless–Please Give Back for the Holidays

Are you willing to spread the holiday cheer this year? Boston Tutoring Services is happy to promote organizations who help people in need. There are plenty of fantastic organizations that give all of us the chance to give back, and the holidays are always a time of year in which people need some extra help. Today we are featuring the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. 

The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is to eradicate homelessness from our state, and ensure that everyone has a place to call home. It aims to meet this mission through the following goals:

• Advocate with and for people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness in areas of public policy, including but not limited to: the availability of decent, accessible, affordable housing; adequate income maintenance programs; medical care; mental health services; social services; job training and employment
• Provide public education about the problem of homelessness and its solutions
• Organize people experiencing homelessness in order to empower them to advocate for themselves in public policy matters, and to assume a significant role in the decision making structure of the Coalition
• Advocate for legislation that will be supportive of the needs of people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness

Their work as a coalition to find common ground and to seek essential solutions has enabled them to fulfill their role as an organizer, coordinator, and resource. At the same time, the organizational philosophy of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has compelled them to take action, rather than merely observe, react, or study. They seek to fulfill their mission as a voice with people experiencing homelessness in their struggle for decent housing, adequate income, and accessible services.

Here are some ways you can get involved:

Under One Roof: Please click here to get information on how to donate furniture and household goods to our newest initiative.

Teen Closet: Please click here to learn more about your can help young adults access needed clothing and personal care items.

Blanket and Linen Drive: Help spread warmth this winter by participating in our annual blanket drive. Click here to see the flyer for details.

Holiday Build a Bed Event: A good night’s sleep has a major effect on a child’s ability to come to school prepared to learn; falling behind due to a lack of sleep can have negative long term consequences on a student’s education and future. A proven pathway out of homelessness is to ensure children of low-income families receive an education that will allow them to graduate from high school. To do this, we have to give these children the tools they need to succeed. One of these tools is a bed. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless partners with public schools to assist students whose families are at risk of becoming homeless. In 2011, our advocates learned that many students in local public schools were not getting a good night’s sleep because they did not have their own bed to sleep in at night. The Coalition took action and launched A Bed for Every Child. Thank you for your interest in the initiative – you can have a positive impact on children in need. Click here to access the donation form, and click here for more information. 

Donating to the less fortunate members of your community is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. Please consider the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless for your contribution this holiday season. 

To view other blogs in this series, click here. 

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services