Social Action Ministries Past Events

Governor Deval Patrick reversed the 9C cut to the Homeless Individuals Assistance line item (7004- 0102).  I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of you across Massachusetts who demonstrated so clearly in the last few weeks your dedication to our homeless neighbors.  In the face of the cut to the Homeless Individuals Assistance line item, you called others to action from your pulpits and through your volunteer programs, and you passed on that call to action to your state officials.  Your advocacy made a difference, and your efforts remind us all of the changes that can come when we work together to speak out for those among us without homes.

We still face challenges ahead, and we need your continued support as we move into the new year.  If you or your faith community are interested in becoming involved in advocacy in the coming months, please contact me at cgolden@mhsa.net or 617-367-6447 ext. 28.  I am honored to work with you as we continue our efforts to end homelessness in Massachusetts.

Sincerely,
Caitlin Golden
Social Action Ministries Coordinator

MARCH 2009

Faith communities in Lowell kicked off the month of March with The Greater Lowell Interfaith Forum on Homelessness, hosted by Christ Church United of Lowell, The S.H.I.F.T. Coalition, Social Action Ministries, Eliot Presbyterian Church, New England Prison Ministries, One Family, Inc. and the Lowell Transitional Living Center.

Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray and The Reverend Liz Walker gave the keynote addresses. Lt. Governor Murray spoke about his experience as a housing search worker and stressed the Patrick-Murray administration’s commitment to ending homelessness. Rev. Walker shared compelling stories about the relationship between her faith and her call to the ministry and social action, urging forum participants to view these times of economic hardship as an opportunity for social action.

The forum also included a panel discussion on specific opportunities for faith communities to get involved in ending homelessness. The panel was composed of Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch, Rev. Debbie Little Wyman, founder of Ecclesia Ministries, Libby Hayes of Homes for Families, Brent Rourke of the SHIFT Coalition, Alan Burt from Cape Cod and Caitlin Golden of Social Action Ministries.

In the upcoming months, faith communities in Greater Lowell will move forward with plans for greater involvement in ending homelessness. The next meeting is on March 29, 2009, at 2:00 pm at Christ Church United in Lowell. All are welcome! For more information about how to get involved, contact Caitlin Golden at cgolden@mhsa.net or 617-367-6447 ext. 28.

FEBRUARY 2009

In late February, St. Joseph Parish in Kingston hosted a Social Action Ministries presentation for members of their community. MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn spoke about the faith-based roots of many homeless service providers in Massachusetts and explained the significance of the Commonwealth’s transition from a focus on emergency shelter to a focus on permanent housing.  Members of the parish asked questions about a variety of issues, including ways for young people to get involved in ending homelessness.

JANUARY 2009

Statewide Faith Community Summit on Ending Homelessness
Diverse Audience Gathered at Forum to Learn about Regional Innovations

As Massachusetts moves toward a regional model for ending homelessness, it is crucial that faith communities from across the Commonwealth stay informed and engaged in regional efforts exploring innovative solutions to homelessness.

Social Action Ministries of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, in collaboration with Episcopal City Mission, One Family, Inc., and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley held “A Faith Community Summit on Homelessness,” a dinner forum and discussion on the ways faith communities can be effective partners to end homelessness in Massachusetts. The dinner, catered by Forklift Catering, was held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Framingham, on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

After an introduction by The Rev. Julie Carson of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris (pictured, right), Suffragan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts kicked off the event by placing the mission of ending homelessness in the context of her own faith commitment.

Robert Pulster, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH), introduced the ICHH’s regional approach to ending homelessness in Massachusetts and discussed the proposed move of homeless services from the Department of Transitional Assistance to the Department of Housing and Community Development.

In closing, Rev. Bob Bachelder, Co-Chair of The Interfaith Coalition to End Family Homelessness: Central Massachusetts, shared his experiences with the program Hope for Housing and encouraged faith communities to take action to prevent homelessness.

Participants also had the opportunity to connect with other faith leaders and homeless service providers and advocates from their area to brainstorm ways congregations and faith-based organizations can be effective regional partners in ending homelessness.

If you are interested in having a speaker talk with your faith community about ending homelessness, contact Caitlin Golden at cgolden@mhsa.net or (617) 367-6447 ext. 28.

WINTER 2008 - 2009

Calling All Faiths: Engaging Faith Communities Across the State
Social Action Ministries presents in Braintree, Roxbury and Bedford

In January, Executive Director Joe Finn of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance and Director of Community Relations Tom Washington of Father Bills & MainSpring spoke at “Help for the Homeless,” a community forum at All Souls Church, Unitarian Universalist, in Braintree, MA. Finn gave a presentation on strategies for ending homelessness in Massachusetts, and Washington spoke about the ways in which Father Bills & MainSpring is addressing homelessness in the South Shore area. The All Souls Church community collected monetary donations for MHSA and Father Bills & MainSpring, as well as donations of clothes and blankets for Father Bills & MainSpring.

Finn also gave presentations on ending homelessness in Massachusetts at a December event at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Roxbury and a Sunday morning lyceum at First Parish in Bedford in early February.

SEPTEMBER 2008

Temple Beth Avodah Reflects on Faith and Social Action

Education about homelessness and reflection on the relationship between faith and social action are crucial parts of SAM’s mission.
Continuing SAM’s efforts to reach out to communities of all faiths, MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn spoke to members of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton this September as part of the temple’s social action Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Keith Stern. Debbie Cutler, who works at MHSA member agency Hearth, invited Finn to speak to her congregation.

Finn opened his talk by noting there were 10,000 homeless men, women and children in the Commonwealth that night.  Focusing on personal and societal responsibility, he encouraged the congregants of the temple to take responsibility for the current state of homelessness by engaging in advocacy for social change. Finn suggested several ways that we can all be responsible, including providing support for newly housed tenants and encouraging volunteers and those involved with social service agencies to focus on what these agencies do to end, rather than just manage, homelessness.

If you are interested in having a Joe Finn, Dr. Jessie Gaeta or another speaker talk with your faith community about ending homelessness, contact Caitlin Golden at cgolden@mhsa.net or (617) 367-6447 ext. 28.

SUMMER 2008

In July, MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn spoke to a homelessness outreach team at Park Street Church in Boston prior to one of the team’s weekly outreach efforts on the Boston Common. Finn praised the team’s commitment to recognizing the dignity of homeless individuals. He also encouraged the team to consider how permanent supportive housing could positively influence the many individuals they would meet during their outreach that evening.

In June, MHSA Physician Advocate Dr. Jessie Gaeta (left) and Caitlin Golden spoke to parishioners at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford. They discussed the Massachusetts five-year plan to end homelessness and facilitated a conversation about ways faith communities can engage in advocacy for structural change.

SPRING 2008

In early April, SAM held its first “Faith and Advocacy” workshop at the Church on the Hill featuring a presentation by attorneys Elizabeth M. Norman and Abigail Baird (far right) of Ropes & Gray LLP. Participants learned about IRS regulations for advocacy by 501(c)(3) organizations and were able to share experiences and ask the attorneys for guidance.

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