SPRING 2010
Home for Good: Join the Housing Revolution
More than 300 MHSA members, friends and supporters gathered in the Rooftop Ballroom of the Omni Parker House Hotel for Home for Good: Join the Housing Revolution, the seventh annual MHSA awards and fundraising event.
MHSA honored David Begelfer of NAIOP, Representative Byron Rushing and Victory Programs, Inc. for their outstanding work in ending homelessness. Click here to read more about the honorees.
I am humbled by the commitment to ending homelessness shown by this outstanding group of honorees, said MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn. It was an honor to congratulate our awardees and celebrate strides made in ending homelessness in the Commonwealth.
Honorees mingled throughout the crowd conversing with friends, constituents, community leaders and other individuals committed to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth. Banners with inspirational quotes from Housing First tenants filled the ballroom and reminded guests of MHSA's message: keys cure homelessness.
The awards presentation was kicked off with a short film entitled "Keys Cure Homelessness" produced and edited by Chris Goff. With interviews of board members, executive directors of member agencies, funders and elected officials, it conveys reasons to support MHSA and encourages all to join the housing revolution.
David Begelfer of NAIOP Massachusetts received the Bob Ray Partnership Award. Begelfer has been actively involved in the struggle to end homelessness for more than 20 years. Through his leadership, the annual NAIOP golf tournament has raised over a million dollars to support MHSA member agency Heading Home. Named in honor of the late Robert E. Ray, former vice president at The Gillette Company, the award recognizes the commitment of individuals in the private sector who work to end homelessness. Past recipients include Bob Glassman, Co-Chairman of Wainwright Bank, and Marc and Anne Margulies, all in attendance.
Left to Right: David Begelfer with Heading Home Executive Director Tom Lorello and MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn
Victory Programs, Inc. (VPI), a Boston-based non-profit, was honored with the MHSA Cornerstone Award. Under the leadership of President and CEO Jonathan Scott, VPI provides housing and innovative care services to individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction or other chronic illnesses. VPI has become a leader in the Housing First movement and a pioneer in low-threshold housing for some of the poorest and most disabled people in the Commonwealth.
Victory Programs, Inc. President and CEO Jonathan Scott (left) with Co-Chairman of Wainwright Bank Bob Glassman, who presented the award
Representative Byron Rushing received the Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Servant Award. The award was established in 1992 to honor individuals and institutions who have contributed to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth. Representative Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, presented the award to Rushing with amusing banter. Canon Brian S. Kelley was also on stage as Representative Rushing received the award in his name.
Representative Byron Rushing at the podium with Representative Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
MHSA also recognized Jim Cuddy of SMOC for his years of dedicated service as chairperson of MHSA's Board of Directors.
MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn presenting Jim Cuddy of SMOC his recognition.
MHSA is grateful to all event sponsors, private donors and attendees. MHSA would like to especially thank our presenters and Chris Goff, who spent months working on "Keys Cure Homelessness," which we hope will inspire more people to join the housing revolution. Click here to view the event program booklet.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event as we continue the housing revolution.