Wellesley event to highlight need in wealthy communities Paula Mathieu Spare Change News Very little about the upcoming MetroWest Homelessness Forum is what one might expect. Unexpected Detail #1: It’s taking place in the tiny suburb of Wellesley, the fifth wealthiest town in Massachusetts. “What are you talking about, homelessness in Wellesley?” quips Evelyn Reading,…
No Direction Home: When Coming Out Means Kicked Out
By Noelle Swan Spare Change News At 16 years old, Diamond McMillion was too young to check into a shelter. As a lesbian, she felt unwelcome at home and frequently slept in an elevator shaft with three friends. “We would ring every buzzer in the building until somebody got tired of listening to it ringing…
2 takes on legislative day on homelessness
Beatrice Bell Spare Change News On February 29, 2012, I went to the Massachusetts State House for The Coalition for the Homeless’ Legislation Action Day. After my experience, I have a renewed hope in our state leaders. The event took place in the Great Hall where the Hall of Flags is located. The schedule of…
COALITION: MASS. HOMELESSNESS RATES AT “ALL-TIME HIGH”
By State House News Service Homelessness is a growing problem in Massachusetts that affects thousands of families, children, teenagers, single people and the elderly and will require millions of dollars more in state funds to alleviate, advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless told lawmakers this week at the State House. The group came…
Cookies get the word out on housing need
Beatrice Bell Spare Change News I went to the Massachusetts State House Feb. 15 for the third annual Cookie Day. I thought it would be similar to a bake sale for the State House in order to support funding for housing, or there would be a march or rally of some sort to support funding…
New Chapter for Harvard Square Bookstand: $2 books give way to free book exchange
Julie Monrad Spare Change News Have you ever noticed the second-hand bookstand in Cambridge on the sidewalk in front of 1324 Massachusetts Ave., near Holyoke Street? Not just glanced and continued walking, but truly observed it? Next time you find yourself walking along Massachusetts Avenue, debating whether or not to enter Harvard Book Store or…
Success in St. Bartholomew’s Meal Program
Robert Sondak Spare Change News The Feed the Hungry Wednesday night meals program at St Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church on Harvard Street in Cambridge has grown rapidly in a matter of four months since its inception last October. Feed the Hungry has expanded into a community service organization with over 40-campus members. Interest among students at…
Carlos Robinson
Michael Ahern Spare Change News Upon first meeting with Carlos Robinson, there is an immediate feeling of optimism radiating from him. He wheels his bike around with him and grins when he speaks. And he is ecstatic that he gets to tell his story. Born and raised in Cambridge, Carlos has been selling Spare Change…
Show of Homeless and Low-income Artists at Old South Church
Local homeless and low-income artists served by area social service programs and centers will be exhibiting their artwork Saturday, April 14th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116. City Heart art show and sale highlights the works of artists from the Cambridge Women’s Center, Common Art,…
Legislative Action Day on Feb. 29
Michael Ahern, Spare Change News BOSTON – On Wednesday, Feb. 29, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless will be holding a Legislative Action Day. For 28 years, the coalition has been a frontrunner in fighting and preventing homelessness. According to the website, the MCH believes that homelessness can be fixed with housing that is safe…